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Column An itch, a rash, warts – this makes people get an STI test, but often there are no symptoms

Many STIs are symptomless and can be transmitted through oral sex too, writes Tricia Purcell, who says young people need to be better educated about their sexual health.

THESE DAYS SEX education in most schools will cover aspects of contraception, using protection and how to avoid pregnancy.  And that’s if you’re lucky. But realistically, sex ed in Ireland isn’t much more than an advanced ‘birds and the bees’ talk.

I’m 23 and don’t think I ever heard the word condoms mentioned by a teacher in secondary school. SPHE didn’t come into schools until I was in second year so I missed that vital hour a week of knowledge. Most of my sex ed has come from friends and the internet.  I think what happens with a lot of young people, is you pretend you know more than you do until you get the chance to Google it. I know I did.

Lack of education

And while I think people are more aware of STIs in Ireland, they’re still not doing a whole lot about them. This can be for a number of reasons; lack of education in school, in the home and the age-old stigma around talking about getting tested for STIs.

I’ve only recently learned how to spell gonorrhoea and you can be sure the topic has never come up in conversation with my friends, yet there have been over 1100 cases of it in Ireland since January. A lot of young people think that if they’re on the pill or some form of contraception that they’re sorted.

So much of what we hear about sex in school is how to avoid getting pregnant and less around STIs. But, while sexual education in Ireland needs to change so do people’s attitudes.

Protection

A survey published by the HSE last year found that almost a quarter of Irish adults believe women are ‘easy’ if they carry condoms and if this mentality is still so prevalent in Ireland, it’s no wonder so many STIs are on the rise.

For years I was of the impression that I’d know if I had an STI, but so many STIs are symptomless, that you’d never know if you or your partner have an STI unless you have been recently tested. Another issue is that most people are unaware that STIs can be also be transmitted through oral sex.

Most people who do get tested for STIs do so because they have symptoms. An itch, a rash, warts, whatever it may be, but the thing people don’t realise is that the majority of STIs don’t have symptoms for quite some time. STI tests are painless and confidential so there’s no excuse really, especially considering STIs like gonorrhoea, untreated, can have serious and permanent health problems in men and women, such as infertility.

Cost

One reason that puts some people off getting tested is the cost. If you go to your private doctor, it can be anything over €100 depending on what you’re getting tested for. A lot of people don’t realise that it’s free to get tested in a lot of public hospitals and clinics.

And there’s the plain and simple reason also of ignorance being bliss. People don’t want to know so they can avoid having an awkward conversation with your partner or having to get back in contact with that one night stand. It can be embarrassing but there needs to be more openness around having a chat with a partner about getting tested, especially if you do have an STI, because if you don’t tell them, they could end up re-infecting you if they have it too.

Some people may argue that the simple fact we can see what STIs have been reported in the last year show people are getting tested but last year a survey of students in Ireland found that three out of four students have had unprotected sex, while 70 per cent of students surveyed said they had never been tested for sexually transmitted infections.

This needs to change.

This week Dublin Aids Alliance, USI, SpunOut.ie, Crisis Pregnancy Programme and HSE Health Promotion are running a campaign to get gonorrhea trending and raise awareness around getting tested for sexually transmitted infections. But unfortunately it’s not just gonorrhoea; chlamydia, herpes, HIV and syphilis are all on the increase in Ireland. So it’s vital to get tested.

Check out SpunOut.ie/sex to find out where you can get tested for free as well as a list of places where you can get free condoms.

Tricia Purcell is 23 and a graduate of the University of Limerick. She currently works for youth website, SpunOut.ie.

Read: Lisa McInerney: The Paris-Mandela hoax is a perfect sign of the times>

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32 Comments
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    Mute Chuck Eastwood
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    Jun 10th 2015, 8:19 AM

    Having not long ago become a parent to a child with some minor issues I for one have nothing but respect for you. generally after a long shift I try to take over when I get home because let’s face it, parenting is tougher than any outside job most of us have ever done and my partner needs a break more than I need to sit in front of the TV

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    Mute chris reilly
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    Jun 10th 2015, 10:07 AM

    I spent a few years working with special needs children. Their parents are the most under supported carers in our society. Such a well written article, provides a very accurate picture of your busy life. Well done on every level. Be proud of the fantastic work you do for you’re children.

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    Mute Brid Reynolds
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    Jun 10th 2015, 2:00 PM

    Who the fluck down arrows that. Some people have privileged lives but they are too thick to realise it.

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    Mute Roberts of Dalkey
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    Jun 10th 2015, 1:58 PM

    Honestly written by an obviously committed and wonderful mother

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    Mute Karen Marten
    Favourite Karen Marten
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    Jun 10th 2015, 2:05 PM

    Geraldine you are a great woman and i understand how you feel i have a son who is 14 with adhd and dyspraxia .i dont have the same problems as you but i have a toddler as well as a 9 year old who is dyslexic and has a rough year in school but unless anyone has a child/children with any issues they dont know what its like they cant be looking down their noses and judgemental

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    Mute M. Ni Chuinn
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    Jun 10th 2015, 1:45 PM

    I admire you for writing your blog. I was a health care proffessional in Ireland. I recently moved abroad. I was totally shocked when I moved here to see how horrible and inhumane the Irish health care system is in comparison to other European countries. I truely believe all those who work in the healthcare system in Ireland including carers , family members and proffessions are being bullied by the Irish Government. When are we going to get up and fight and demand a better health system? Other countries have gotten better healthcare systems because they demanded it until their government had to give in. We are THE FIGHTING IRISH, aren’t we?

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    Mute cníchi
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    Jun 10th 2015, 2:38 PM

    You are a hero to humanity and your boys. I hope you too have a hero in your life who will look after you. You are wonderful, you are GERALDINE!

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    Mute john mccarthy
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    Jun 10th 2015, 8:14 AM

    Wrong article. My apologies.

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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Jun 10th 2015, 10:15 AM

    let’s be honest john you commented without reading article…

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    Mute john mccarthy
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    Jun 10th 2015, 8:13 AM

    What ! A public servant moaning again. I’am shocked.

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    Mute Karen Marten
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    Jun 10th 2015, 10:00 PM

    Allister being on call 24/7 witha child /children who have a disability or several and other children and housework and homework driving to and ftom appointments doctors schools .this is not the same as going into work where you get your tea break and chat with friends then your lunch break and afternoon coffee and home to a child that can walk talk feed themselves go to toilet on own kick a ball play out side .you just have no idea so dont make stupid remarks when you hsve no clue

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    Mute Karen Marten
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    Jun 10th 2015, 3:10 PM

    What idiot red rhumbs these true stories

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    Mute Allister
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    Jun 10th 2015, 4:15 PM

    What about the people who have to come home at night and do all these house chores after working 12 hours a day in a proper job…deal with it …its called life…

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    Mute Noeleen Eccles
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    Jun 10th 2015, 4:45 PM

    Wow ‘House Chores’ Since when was a disabled child a House Chore? Do you get a lunch break? Carers work 24/7. Ignorance certainly is bliss.

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    Mute catherine
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    Jun 10th 2015, 7:46 PM

    Yeah that certainly is a very silly comment. This woman goes non stop. I know how it is. I’m proud she shared her story. We get no recognition. I did an interview with Pat Kenny too but it’s tough talking about our loved ones because it sounds like it’s all burden. We have good loving fun times too nut there is no getting Away from the realities of caring.

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    Mute Teresa Davis Maguire
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    Jun 12th 2015, 8:35 PM

    Allister did you not read the article?

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    Mute Josephine Gallagher
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    Jun 11th 2015, 1:56 AM

    Apart from my empathy and respect for Geraldine and her family, along with all others in similar situations as they live with the joys and challenges of their daily lives, one thing she said really stunned me..’I'm a full time carer for my son’ got the response ‘Wow so you’re on the social?’
    I hope the the campaign highlighting the work carers of all hues do all around this country brings to the fore how hard people work to look after and advocate for their children, partners, spouses, grandparents and neighbours when they can’t help themselves..and how little support from the authorities some of those carers get.
    And I sincerely hope that anyone who thinks that the carers allowance is a windfall never find themselves: a) needing it to survive; or b) going through the baring of soul it takes to get the carers allowance

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    Mute Karen Marten
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    Jun 10th 2015, 10:18 PM

    Allister you moron .going to work and comming home to a child/children who are able to walk tslk feed themselves blow their nose use the loo on their own play out side read write.many parents are carers to their children and some are on call 24/7 on top of house work and other children too children are born with these disabilities no parent wants that for their child /children hospital visits occupation therapy speech therapy more therapies i can list . Its not the same so unless you have a child with minor or major issues dont say its life u just have not got a clue

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    Mute Josephine Gallagher
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    Jun 11th 2015, 2:15 AM

    Oh!I just saw Allister’s comment on a scéal from mother describing caring for a child with a life limiting condition, a condition which most of us were unaware of until this week.( I certainly was until I heard her on radio.). along with her other two children .Allister refers to: house chores..proper job..it’s life..get on with it.
    Bless..I presume he do be very young and invincible

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    Mute Paul Clarke
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    Jun 15th 2015, 1:45 AM

    Well done to you on so many levels,I’d say you’re up to eyes right and regular so keep up the good work,enjoy you’re rest when your lucky enough to get 1

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