Stay Safe: Doctor Issues Warning That Nasty STI Could Be Sweeping Ireland

We all know how important it is to protect ourselves (and our partners) when it comes to getting jiggy, but a Dublin-based doctor is now warning us to take extra care in this department. Why? Well because a nasty new sex bug could be rife in our little country. Shudder.

The Irish Daily Star reports that a sexually transmitted infection known as Mycoplasma Genitalium (or MG) is currently sweeping through cities in Europe and the United States, and it could already be doing some damage in Ireland. However, it's hard to know because the current lab machines in Ireland are not sensitive enough to test for the infection.

Dr Derek Freedman, who specialises in the treatment of sexually transmitted infections, said that testing procedures in Ireland desperately need to be upgraded so health experts can check for evidence of the bacteria-based infection before it spreads like wildfire.

"We know it's out there but we don't have any figures because we can't test for it here," said Dr Freedman.

Scary or what?

Mycoplasma Genitalium can be hard to diagnose without the proper equipment

Mycoplasma Genitalium is a nasty infection that is passed between sexual partners. It can cause severe swelling in a man's urethra and, worryingly, it can cause full-blown infertility in women.

The good news is that the infection can be successfully treated with antibiotics if doctors manage to diagnose it, which is why it is essential for lab machines to be updated as quickly as possible.

STIs and STDs are never fun things to deal with, so the next time you get down and dirty with a partner, be safe and use a condom.