By Thushya Mani on January 1, 2019
Cases of STI’s are increasing within students and less are aware of the severity
Figures published by the Public Health England show there were “447,694 sexually transmitted infections (STI’s)” reported in England in 2018.
Screening for chlamydia is continuing to decline from 2018, with just over 1.3 young people being tested for it.
There were around 7,541 cases of syphilis reported, a 5% increase on 2017.
Sarah Philips, (22) who was a student at Sheffield Hallam University had chlamydia a few times in her life and also knew people who have had an STD all around a similar age to herself.
“I did not believe that I needed to check as she assumed it was thrush but it turned out to be chlamydia. I’m definitely more aware after the first time I found out I got chlamydia. I looked into every symptom possible. Well, I came to find out it takes two weeks to know if you’ve got it.”
She continued:
“I wasn’t fully aware until I got the news and it all became real! I began to make myself aware rather than ensuring that other people would make me aware! I think we can all say we see signs in the doctors but, who pays full attention to them, so in short no I wasn’t aware initially. But after I got it, I ensured to get checked regularly myself and encouraged others to do the same!
How important is it to be aware of STI’s within young people?
What resolutions or help can young students seek and are they aware of the facilities that university’s or gp’s offer?
The most commonly diagnosed STI’s were:
· Chlamydia—218.095 cases, 49%
· Genital Herpes—33,867 cases, 8%
· Gonorrhoea—56,259 cases, 13%
· Genital Warts—57,318 cases, 13%
The groups which are mostly at risk are young people and men who have sex with men.
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