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7% increase in STIs in Ireland between 2017 and 2018, new data suggests

The prominent STIs were chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes and syphilis.

THERE HAS BEEN a 7% increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Ireland in 2018 compared to 2017, according to provisional data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

The prominent STIs were chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes and syphilis. 

In recent years, the greatest burden of STIs is among young people aged between 15-24 and men who have sex with men (MSM), according to the HSE. 

Following the publication of the HPSC report today, the HSE sexual health and crisis pregnancy programme is advising people of the importance of using condoms to protect against STIs. 

In response to the rise in STI and HIV diagnoses, the HSE national condom distribution service has been supporting sexual health campaigns. 

The service distributes free condoms and lubricants to third level colleges, festival and nightlife venues, NGOs and community organisations. 

Condoms are also distributed to MSM specific social venues such as saunas, bars, clubs and pubs.

“Many STIs do not have any symptoms. If you think you have an STI or you may have been at risk, it is important to get tested and if necessary, be treated,” Helen Deely, programme lead of the sexual health and crisis pregnancy programme, said. 

“Treating STIs promptly reduces the likelihood of them being passed onto someone else. This is particularly important for HIV. Starting HIV treatment as early as possible keeps you healthy and stops HIV transmission to others,” she said.

Using condoms correctly and every time you have sex will reduce your risk of contracting an STI. Plan ahead and carry condoms with you if you are sexually active.

“If you have a new partner, it is a good idea for both persons to have a sexual health check-up before having sex without a condom.”

STI and HIV testing is available for free through public STI clinics

Testing is also available through many GPs, student health services and NGOs at a fee. 

Sexual health support can be found here: 

  • HSE’s HIV and Sexual Health free and confidential helpline is on 1800 459 459 or email helpline@hse.ie
  • Men who have sex with men can find information and support at www.man2man.ie
  • LGBT Ireland’s free and confidential helpline is on 1890 929 539 or visit  www.lgbt.ie

More information and advice on preventing STIs can be found here

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    Mute charliekingston
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 7:19 AM

    How much of these monies have been sourced by the Catholic church? Surely an old convent or two should be sold to somewhat make amends. Shatter has requested such funding, yet it appears not a penny has been shared. Why is the tax-payer paying for the sins of the Catholic church?

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    Mute Joseph O'Regan
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 7:30 AM

    Because Bertie and his cronies were such good Catholics.

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    Mute GATHERINGYOURMONEY14
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 9:56 AM

    Granted Joseph.
    But as my mother says
    The rest of the feckers in Leinster house over the year had a mouth on them as well and they said feck all about this travesty.
    Imagine some of today’s fine leaders used to drive by slave camps everyday on their way into the Dail and think nothing wrong of it.
    The Magdelane Laundry closed in 1996.

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    Mute GATHERINGYOURMONEY14
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 9:58 AM

    The “last” Magdelane Laundry closed in 1996.

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    Mute GATHERINGYOURMONEY14
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 10:00 AM

    Anyway.
    As recent events have illustrated, Ireland’s fine leaders think nothing of abusing/enslaving their people in one way or another.

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    Mute Jay Coleman
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 7:11 AM

    Money will never replace what the establishment took from them.

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 7:03 AM

    Pittance

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    Mute scaldbag
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 7:19 AM

    Paddy power got most of my mums compo already.

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    Mute Jon Q
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 9:03 AM

    I am not sure if there is anything I hate more than the catholic church for what it did to those children. Not only is what happened devastating, but those who covered it up and facilitated its continuance for so long are as bad as the abusers themselves. Those that then choose to recognise and support such an institution today really make me wonder what is wrong with them. Why would/could anybody support an organisation that did this to innocent children!? What is wrong with people? You people really do make me feel ill.

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    Mute Beabad Bishop
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 12:47 PM

    I concur with everything you say John Q . The disconcerting thing is that a catholic task force of laypeople and clergy has been set up to
    Spread disinformation and lies about the extent of the abuse. Their mantra is to Deny ! Deny ! Deny ! At all costs any accusations against the church irrespective of the truth or source of the information. On the flip side there seems to be other groups of clergy mainly in the states who have set up support groups for clergy whistle blowers. http://www.catholicwhistleblowers.com

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    Mute Maddie Cowser
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 7:31 AM

    Didn’t these women have families too?

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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 7:43 AM

    We’re all angry here at the state paying for church sins which is fair enough but the irish press also know as the journal gives the Church sinners a constant platform to spout their moral shite through their two spin offs, the immigrant council of ireland and the migrant council who in turn produced the mens development network. So for every one story such as the horrors that these woman suffered the irish press will act as an online broadsheet to spread the good shepherds words

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    Mute Joe The Man
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 8:21 AM

    Actually, you are full of shite!

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    Mute Anita OGalligan
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 1:11 PM

    The RCC should be made to pay? Look at the wealth that it has, The RCC can afford to pay..
    I’m sickened and apaulled by what went on and the cover up of these poor children and Adults.

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    Mute BabsByte
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 12:53 PM

    @Trevor Beacom, What are you on about?! The immigrant council of ireland and The migrant council have nothing to do with the good sheperd magdeline laundry..?
    You are entitled to your opinion about those two councils but they serve a genuine and legitimate purpose; just because you disagree with that purpose why must you spread your shite talk in unrelated articles?

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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 8:09 PM

    And your name is?

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    Mute BabsByte
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    Apr 24th 2014, 5:32 PM

    My name is irrelevant. Why do you ask, will knowing my name help you to explain your previous comment?

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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    Apr 24th 2014, 8:11 PM

    You know only too well the links between the groups. Pretending that they dont exist is silly. Every eci and mci article which appear here I will publish proof of the links

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    Mute Shame Of Ireland
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    Apr 30th 2014, 8:26 AM

    Still no one is asking why were the London Women’s Group Given €250,000 at the Commissioning of the Quirke Report!
    Was this to seek endorsement of the Macalese Report and ensure Compliance with the Quirke findings on Redress?
    Shatter certainly compromised this situation by doing this!

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    Mute Andrew Murray
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    Apr 25th 2014, 6:02 PM

    My mother spent a couple of years in the Magdalene Laundry in Limerick as well as her entire childhood in the Irish state workhouses and they are telling her that they cannot find her records.

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    Mute Paddy Hannigan
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    Apr 23rd 2014, 4:12 PM

    Wait for the vaccine test programmes that were run in these places to come into the spotlight. Humam medical trails without informed consent. That is going to cost.

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    Mute Shame Of Ireland
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    Apr 30th 2014, 8:34 AM

    Sadly the Commission into Child Abuse was stopped from investigating this by the Welcome Trust now part of GSK. There will be no report or Compensation on this.
    The Government commissioned a Report that washed the Religious Whiter than a Magdalene Laundry Sheet!
    They got the Report they paid for absolving the Nuns and phasing the burden squarely on the State and Tax Payer AGAIN!

    2
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