CHRISTMAS PARTY GOERS are being warned to practice safe sex this festive season because of a 21 per cent increase in chlamydia levels in Dublin over the past year.
The figures were released by the Dublin Well Woman Centre said by the end of October, 227 positive chlamydia infections were diagnosed.
This year’s levels surpasses full year totals for each of the last three years – 187 in 2011, 220 in 2010 and 219 in 2009.
The figures also show that two-thirds of all positive chlamydia tests are in the 20 to 30 year age group, indicating that young people are engaging in risky sexual practices or not taking appropriate protective measures.
Dr Shirley McQuade, Medical Director of the Dublin Well Woman Centre, says correct use of a condom will prevent the transmission of chlamydia.
If diagnosed early, chlamydia can be treated with a course of antibiotics. If left undiagnosed, it can lead to chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women, and to orchitis (testicular inflammation) in men.It is important to be aware that many people can have the infection and have little or no symptoms, making it all the more important that they discuss their sexual health concerns with a family planning doctor or their G.P.
Chlamydia, the bacterial sexually transmitted disease, is mostly a young person’s infection and Dr McQuade is also warning that even correct condom use will not protect against other sexually transmitted infections:
It’s worth remembering that someone with chlamydia has risked exposure to other sexually-transmitted infections, like herpes and genital warts, which may not be so straightforward to treat.
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