Rechercher dans ce blog

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Sexually-transmitted illness rates rising; more testing and condoms advised - Belleville Intelligencer

Article content

New cases of HIV and outbreaks of both syphilis and gonorrhea are prompting yet another public-health alert for Hastings-Prince Edward residents to seek testing and practice safe sex.

Article content

“All individuals having condomless sex are at risk of sexually transmitted infections,” Hastings Prince Edward Public Health officials wrote Thursday in a news release.

It stated there have been 18 cases of syphilis recorded this year in the region; the number is nearly triple the five-year average.

And an outbreak of gonorrhea continues, with 48 cases logged during the year.

New recent cases of HIV – the virus which may lead to AIDS – have also been reported; no number was immediately available.

Condoms are essential every time when having sex, the release added, and people of all ages, relationship statuses and sexual orientations have tested positive for infections.

“Many of the symptoms of STIs are mild and may not be noticed, or may mimic other illnesses. If you’ve had condomless/unprotected sex, talk to your health care provider about getting tested as soon as possible.”

Anyone who has noticeable symptoms and who is without a health care provider should visit a walk-in clinic or, if the symptoms are severe, go to a hospital emergency department.

Even people in relationships should consider testing, officials said, because if one person is having sex outside the relationship, an infection could be contracted and spread.

People with syphilis may not notice any symptoms.

“Early symptoms may include painless sores in the genital, mouth, or rectal area, swollen lymph nodes, rash, fever, malaise/general feeling of being unwell, sore throat, headaches, hair loss, and eye redness,” the release stated.

Article content

Gonorrhea symptoms may also not appear in more than half of infected people or go unnoticed, making testing even more important.

They may “include unusual discharge/burning/itchiness from genital area or rectum, burning or pain when urinating, abdominal pain, sore throat/swollen glands, or eye discharge.”

Symptoms of HIV, meanwhile, may be mild or not noticeable. They range from flu-like fever, fatigue and aches to diarrhea, a skin rash and sore throat. Some people may not become ill for years but may, in the meantime, transmit the virus.

But if left untreated, symptoms may worsen and could become life-threatening.

The release explained HIV is not classed as a sexually-transmitted infection but is spread through unprotected sexual contact.

Infections of gonorrhea and syphilis may also cause long-term health damage if untreated, the release noted.

“Both of these STIs can increase women’s risk of complications in pregnancy” and can threaten the health and lives of fetuses, it stated.

“Syphilis can lead to serious and long-term health complications including bone and organ damage, mental health problems, and even death.

Get tested to know your status and protect yourself and others from long-term health complications.”

The illnesses may also be spread through the sharing of sex toys, the health unit stated.

For more information, visit hpepublichealth.ca or call the health unit at 613-966-5500, ext. 418.

Adblock test (Why?)


Sexually-transmitted illness rates rising; more testing and condoms advised - Belleville Intelligencer
Read More

No comments:

Post a Comment

Lupus and other autoimmune diseases strike far more women than men. Now there's a clue why - CTV News

WASHINGTON - Women are far more likely than men to get autoimmune diseases, when an out-of-whack immune system attacks their own bodies -...