Keep Love Sweet and Safe

‘Keep love sweet and safe’ is the message from the sexual health services in Bournemouth and Poole, as they take to the streets to get their message about safer sex across.

Teams from sexual health services will be visiting the Bournemouth University campuses, Bournemouth and Poole College of Further Education, local youth groups, as well as bars and nightclubs next week to focus on improving sexual health across our community.

Practicing safer sex can prevent you getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Chlamydia is still the most common STI in young people under 25 years. If left untreated it could risk infertility in men and women as well as other uncomfortable symptoms such as burning when passing urine and pain during sex. Chlamydia is known as ‘the silent infection’ as most people are unaware they may have it.

“The message is clear, protect yourself from Chlamydia & other STIs by practicing safer sex,” said Billy Clarke, NHS Bournemouth & Poole, Community Health Services Chlamydia Coordinator, “if you have changed sexual partner you should get tested. Some STIs, like Chlamydia, don’t have symptoms but can cause long term damage such as infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease if left untreated. Our staff are going out to community venues to offer information and advice. The team will also be carrying out opportunistic, discreet testing for Chlamydia which is confidential, or you can be directed to where you can get sexual health advice or be tested at a later date”.

Chlamydia postal screening kits are available from the www.f-risky.co.uk website.

The NHS Bournemouth and Poole Community Health Services sexual health team offer information, advice and Chlamydia screening. They can also give you advice about how to approach sexual health issues with your partner.

More information can be found at: www.f-risky.co.uk

Source of this Article:

NHS Bournemouth & Poole (opens a new window)

By Heidi Rees (Bournemouth 2026 Partnership)

Posted: Wednesday 9 February 2011

Permalink: http://www.bournemouth2026.org.uk/safe-sex

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