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WITH THE Christmas party season well under way, STI clinics are already experiencing a spike in people seeking tests after a festive fling.
Dr Derek Freedman — who runs a private practice in Ranelagh and is also attached to the GUIDE clinic at St James’s Hospital — says office workers have been turning up “in a panic” to seek testing.
It’s a trend observed every year, he says. In December, people make an appointment in the wake of a unplanned sexual encounter. They may have no symptoms, but they realise that they are at risk, and need to be tested.
In January, it’s a different story.
That’s when people come in with symptoms: discharge,warts, sores, or their partner has a problem. That’s when they are in a real fix.
“Christmas is a time of merriment, a time of partying. It’s also a time for acquisition opportunities.
It’s frequently a time where a fantasy can turn into a reality, and then turn into a nightmare.
For the last few weeks, people have been showing up seeking a full range of tests, after an unplanned encounter.
“They may have a home to go to. They might have a partner to go home to and they’re extremely anxious and distressed about the situation.
“They are stressed about the impact it will have on their relationship, or future relationships.”
However, Freedman notes:
“It’s not the people who come for testing we need to worry about. It’s the multitudes of people who do take risks and who don’t get checked out.
If people have sexual risk they should get fully screened and tested.
“We know that early detection and treatment makes these infections minor — if delayed or neglected, that’s when complications occur.
“It is essential that they have a a full range of tests, including a full examination, if they want to be sure that they are free from infection. The microscope is a very sensitive and useful tool for this.”
The drink factor
Alcohol is a factor in around 70 per cent of the encounters Freedman hears about, he says.
“There is also a problem in some key populations.
“In Dublin today, there are outbreaks of Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, and something called Lymphoma Granuloma Venereum or LGV — almost epidemic.
These are concentrated in people who go in for casual encounters, often with internet contacts, or at ‘sauna” venues in the centre of town.
And as we head into the last big weekend of parties, the specialist has some timely festive advice for anyone hoping to get luckly.
“Get the name. Get the mobile phone number. Use a condom… And give breakfast — at least see where you’ve been.
“It is very important that you can contact the person you have been with. Many of the infections are totally silent, with no signs or symptoms, and the only way they can know if they have in infection is if you tell them.
We’re not trying to be killjoys here. Sex is great — we want people to enjoy it. These are just things to be aware of as you’re heading out.
Dr Freedman has a booklet on what to expect when you go for an STI test. You can view it here. Here’s a full list of STI clinics around the country, from the HSE.
First posted at 7.30am.
But… But …. We’re attracting these companies because of our educated workforce and links to Europe right? Best small country to do business according to the dear leader… Surely he can’t have been wrong?
Ive been in many meetings where that sentence is the butt of a good few jokes.
This is down to American Tax law, so unless the cabinet are deciding American Tax Law then you’ve chewed too many of those pink tablets.
First of many deals to go I’m afraid.
Will facebook google and the like still be here in 10years?
IFSC will be the next ghost estate.
Cheerful.
You’re right. sad but true. Noonan should be making it easier for companies to dodge tax, not harder. It’s the only thing we have to offer. Our workforce is too expensive and the infrastructure is simply not on par, even with Poland.
Exactly. Who cares if we are offering them a way of paying less tax? It doesn’t matter if it boosts our economy at the expense of America’s. We are absolutely screwed if these companies pack up and leave due to decades of neglect towards indigenous businesses.
Obama the bollox
I thought the yanks just love the irish
no just the tax rates. and easily exploitable muppets in Government
Apparently only when we’re a tax haven.
what is it with the gimps who “run” this country , they always give away any “aces” they have up their sleeves for no payback. Its like they just want to be good poodles for their handlers in Europe
What has this to do with Ireland.
Some people really think that the world revolves around this place, that they are trying to shaft us or are laughing at us or we have it the worst in the world in this “kip”.
America is doing here what is in its own tax interest, they couldn’t give a fucj who is in charge here. That doesn’t come in to it.
What it does show is that focusing on Multi-nationals leaves the country very open to changes in American domestic policy.
Ordinary people were never going to benefit from this anyway
I work in the pharma industry here in Ireland and this takeover deal was (is?) huge. It is a great opportunity for Ireland – and UK based – Shire. The inevitable consequences of the negative publicity over the past year I’m afraid. Bad for business and bad for Ireland over the long term in my opinion.
Yea but no offense, the pharma industry has a lot to answer for in terms of ethics and general human health
It was bound to happen, given all the publicity. I’m confident our government will find some way around it, after all they’ve been codding us for years, Obama will be a doddle.
Very good, Martin! Let’s hope you’re right.
Keep big pharma away from this country, corrupted killers making money, should be buried in a desert somewhere.
shouldnt you be dancing at a crossroads somewhere?
With Comey maidens – or youths, whichever floats your boat?
The same desert you’ve your head buried in? Pharma and Med. Device companies are our biggest employers and account for over 50 billion in ex ports from this country. I bet you’d go to a faith healer if you got sick. Best of luck with that.
One thing about Pharma is the vast imports that it brings in as well, so the net benefit to the country is not as large as it looks when you say 50bn in exports.
Agriculture is surprisingly eaves the most in Ireland’s hands out of exports, money circulating in the economy than Pharma.
They are all just slices in a pie, mind you, but Pharma is in no way our largest sector employer. In all the companies and all the spin off jobs for there would still only be under 3% of the workforce.
Fools those who are negative & for giving in to the EU. US companies really only have a couple of choices uk, Israel or us. If the krauts spoke English they would go there. Posted on this before. Who gives a sh€t how much corporate tax they pay, it’s the PAYE, PRSI & USC take that makes the difference, by local employment. Shame on the government & naysayers for pushing reform. The right move was to cut it to 5% and stick two fingers to Brussels, what could they have done? Their broke, kick us out & watch everyone else jump with us. The tax on the fees alone on the merger alone would have been €50m – grow some balls Ireland. We’re paid up and EU is on the ropes
No more tax dodging and money laundering through Ireland for multinationals so.
One last point because the anti pharm guy’s wound me up. The U.S. Won’t change tax policy more than cosmetics. Who the hell do you think provides the $1bn it takes to get elected in the states? – Santa?
They just tryin drive a hard bizargain, know’m sayin?
For Christ sake it’s only 3-10% but the PAYE take is at least double of Ag, given the tax breaks. I’m a big fan of farming and the industry but the average Ag business doesn’t employ folks at the same rate after tax breaks. Cut corporate tax on strict employment requirements and the country will pick up. Even line factory guys pick up €20-30k+ per year all in. Farm folk just can’t pay that give the current prices. You think Iceland or Singapore would take this sh€t? We need to start looking after ourselves.
Uh oh
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