Sex Secrets You Don't Want to Discover
(PRWEB) May 28, 2009 -- Young people are putting each other's sexual health at risk because they are too embarrassed to tell their partner they have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). A new NHS survey shows that 16% of under 25s would not tell the person that they are sleeping with if they found out they had a STI while 19% are "not sure". Men were found to be much more likely to stay silent about the infection than women. 21% would not tell the person that they are currently sleeping with, while 21% said they weren't sure.
Chlamydia has serious health consequences. Left untreated, Chlamydia can prevent both men and women from being able to have children and cause other health problems such as arthritis.
The survey is published to coincide with MAYbe month (http://www.check-kit.org.uk), the start of a new NHS campaign to combat the spread of Chlamydia, the most prevalent and fastest growing STI among under 25s. Throughout May, the boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham and Westminster have been holding an intensive Chlamydia screening drive and information campaign to ensure that people get tested and treated for Chlamydia.
Chris Morgan of Westside Contraceptive Services, who supply screening services to the NHS, says: "Anyone who has ever had unprotected sex, including oral sex, can have Chlamydia. It usually does not have any symptoms, so it is very difficult to know if you or the person you are sleeping with has it. As the survey shows, you can't always rely on your partner to be honest with you about their sexual health. The only way to be sure that you don't have Chlamydia is to get tested."
The test for Chlamydia (http://www.check-kit.org.uk) is quick, easy and confidential. One urine sample shows if you've got Chlamydia and it can be easily treated with one dose of antibiotics. If you are aged 16 - 24 and live in West London you can get a free Chlamydia test by post (http://www.check-kit.org.uk), from your GP or participating pharmacists or from Westside Contraceptive Services' clinics.
Around one in ten people aged under 25, who are tested for it, have Chlamydia. Embarrassment is not an excuse to put another person's health at risk, especially if the risk can be mitigated with a painfree, confidential and free test taking only 10 minutes from your day.
Ideally all sexually active young people should have a Chlamydia test every year, or when they change sexual partners. Speak out and ask your partner about his or her sexual history. Cover your back and make sure you don't have Chlamydia - get a free and confidential Chlamydia test (http://www.check-kit.org.uk) during May.
About MAYbe campaign
The MAYbe campaign (http://www.check-kit.org.uk) is an intensive information and Chlamydia testing drive in West London (http://www.check-kit.org.uk) by the NHS (http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/homepage.aspx) that runs throughout the month of May the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham.
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