Free STD tests

Nevyn

Free STD tests are available from the clinic at St James's Hospital, tel: 014162315/01-4162316 for more information.


you may want to add that your list of help links and info Gordo

and isnt google.ie fun.

Nevyn

A record number of 8,287 cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were reported by the Department of Health last year, almost a 70 per cent increase on the number of cases a decade ago. This represented an increase of 851 cases on the previous year.

The cases in which the biggest increases have been seen are: ano-genital warts, chlamydia and genital herpes.

Already this year, doctors are reporting an epidemic of syphilis. The Genito-Urinary Medicine Clinic at St James's Hospital in Dublin has seen 45 cases so far. This compares with 27 cases last year, five cases in 1998 and four in 1997. Last year, among all hospitals, just 6 cases were reported. A similar increase in syphilis cases has also been reported in parts of England and Paris.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can be transmitted by contact with infectious skin or ulcerated lesions, but does not require penetrative sex. The infection causes a genital ulcer in the primary stage of infection. Secondary syphilis causes a generalised rash, fever, sore throat and tiredness. Both stages are easily treated with antibiotics. It also increases the likelihood of HIV transmission. A pregnant woman who has syphilis is also more likely to have a stillborn baby.

If syphilis hasn't been treated there is a chance that it will develop into the final stage, causing serious damage to many internal organs, including the brain, spinal cord and heart. This stage can end in blindness, dementia, paralysis, and even death. This stage usually occurs within 10 years of a person first contracting syphilis.

Gonorrhoea, more commonly known as the Clap, is the most common reportable sexually transmitted infection in the USA, and the second most common in the UK. Latest figures here reveal that over 175 cases of Gonorrhoea were reported in 1999, 125 in 1998 and 98 in 1997. Symptoms include pain or a burning sensation during urination and a pus-like discharge. Gonorrhoea can lead to sterility in males if left untreated, and could cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy in females. (where the pregnancy fails to reach the womb and embeds itself into the wall of the Fallopian tube, leading to a miscarriage). The bacteria that cause gonorrhoea can occasionally spread through the bloodstream to cause a form of arthritis.

Research carried out in Britain on 2,000 sexually active women under the age of 25 has found that almost a third had chlamydia, which is the most common bacterial STD in the world which should set off alarm bells here. The researchers estimate that four out of every five cases of chlamydia are contracted within this age group. The study recommended that sexually active women under the age of 25 be screened for the sexually transmitted disease (STD) chlamydia, twice a year.

Chlamydia has witnessed almost a five-fold increase in Ireland over the last decade, standing at 869, latest figures from the Department of Health show. Levels of the infection in St James Hospital show a steady increase in the same time frame, rising from 4 per cent in 1989 to 9.6 per cent in 1999. The infection is made difficult to detect in that it does not produce symptoms in 70 per cent of women and 50 per cent of men, but may lead to infertility in both. Of the 6 per cent of couples who experience infertility, the cause in 15 per cent of cases will eventually be traced back to Clamydia.

The incidence of Urethritis has increased two-fold in the last 10 years. It is an inflammation of the urethra, the tube responsible for carrying urine from the bladder out of the body. Often women do not display any symptoms, but in some cases they can include pain or a burning sensation when urinating and frequent urinating. In men, there can be a number of symptoms, including frequent urinating which can be painful, or produce a burning sensation.

Genital Herpes is rarely dangerous compared with other STDs. Genital herpes cause cold sores or lesions in the mouth or on the lips and face, and produce painful blisters on the genitals of both men and women. Flue-like symptoms are often associated with this infection, for which there is no specific cure. The first outbreak of herpes usually lasts 7-10 days, although it can continue for a few weeks. During this time the lesions will shrink and dry up.

Over 3050 cases of Genital Warts were reported in 1999. These are painless fleshy growths or lumps around the genital area. Both men and women can get warts, and Symptoms include pain, itching and a burning sensation. Genital warts may go away quickly or they may last for years.

Last November saw the Department of Health and Children launch the national awareness Think Twice Every Time campaign, aimed at educating, informing and empowering people about their relationships and their sexuality. This was the first campaign on such a wide and complex range of sexual health issues undertaken by the Department of Health and Children.

Annasopra

Alternatively if you're a gay or bisexual man theres some info here:

http://www.erha.ie/view_categories.php?nCatId=384&PHPSESSID=fd1573ee459e8ae92c1bf84eaf1c0c02

WhiteWashMan

do gay or bisexual men get different STD's?

fisty

yes

Annasopra

Not necessarily but it is handy to know that there is a health service that meets your specific requirements if you are a gay/bisexual man and which will give you safe sex information which is specifically relevent to having gay sex

Gordon

Thanks Thaed.