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25th November 2014
11:03am GMT

“It is very important for anyone who had a recent change in partners to get tested for chlamydia. The fact that we are testing more people is an indication that people understand this. While it is a very good thing that young women are open to presenting for testing, we are concerned that the safe sex message clearly isn’t getting through, despite the amount of public health resources devoted to it. It is important to highlight that while over-the-counter Emergency Contraception will help prevent an unplanned pregnancy, it won’t stop the transmission of sexual diseases. Only a condom, used correctly, can do this.”
Alison Begas, CEO of the Dublin Well Woman Centre, also warns Christmas party goers to practice safe sex during the upcoming festive season.
“It is important to be aware that many people can have the infection and experience little or no symptoms, making it all the more important to use protection. We always advise women who may have been exposed to chlamydia to come into our Well Woman clinics to get tested. Testing for chlamydia is painless, and can be done on a urine sample. It only takes a couple of minutes. Alternatively, we recently introduced a self-testing vaginal swab, which means a woman can take her own swab in the clinic, which we then send to the laboratory for analysis.”
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