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Under 25s urged to say yes to test
SCARBOROUGH young people are being urged to get screened for the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia.
NHS North Yorkshire and York and its partners are supporting a new campaign to encourage 15-24 year olds living in the area to get tested for the disease, which is the most common STI in England.
Last year, 15,900 young people aged 15-24 were tested in North Yorkshire, with one in 12 testing positive.
The Chlamydia worth talking about campaign is part of a wider national campaign to raise awareness of various sexual health-related topics including safe sex, relationship advice and chlamydia testing. The aim of the campaign is to encourage young people to say yes to a test if they are offered one when they visit their GP, pharmacy or sexual health or family planning clinic.
Dr David Geddes, medical director for NHS North Yorkshire and York, said: “Chlamydia is a silent infection that can have serious long-term consequences including infertility and chronic pain in men and women. The majority of people with chlamydia will have no signs or symptoms to suggest they are carrying the infection. This makes it very easy to go undetected and very easy to spread.
“Because the infection is so common, it is important young people take responsibility for their sexual health and have a chlamydia test from time to time. The test itself is easy and simply involves doing a urine test. If you are found to have a chlamydia infection it is very simple to treat with a course of antibiotics.
Liz Hare, chlamydia screening programme co-ordinator for YorScreen, said: “There are loads of places in North Yorkshire where you can collect a testing kit. You can call our central office on (01904) 725440 to find out where your local test sites are, or ask your doctor, nurse or youth worker for help.
“If you would prefer to do a test at home and send it to us, you can text ‘TEST’ to 80010, followed by your name, address and age to request a postal pack. If you are under 16 you can still get tested, but it’s important to speak with a nurse, doctor or youth worker first.
“We recommend that under 25s get tested at least once a year.”
Full details of all testing options along with more information on STIs and sexual health can be found at YorScreen’s new website: www.yorsexualhealth.org.uk A Facebook profile for ‘Chlam Ydia’ has also been created to try to encourage young people to take an interest in getting tested.
In Scarborough tests are available at most GP practices, from Foundation Housing and North Yorkshire County Council’s youth services and a testing team will be visiting Scarborough Sixth Form College, Yorkshire Coast College and some local schools during the year.
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Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
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