Well being consultants are urging those that had “unprotected festive enjoyable” to now get examined for sexually transmitted sicknesses.
With a number of the most typical STIs turning into detectable after two weeks, consultants on the College of Brighton at the moment are telling individuals to get checked following the festive interval.
The recommendation comes forward of STIQ day, held yearly on January 14 to boost consciousness of sexual well being and get common checks for sexually transmitted sicknesses.
Nigel Sherriff, Professor of Public Well being and Public Promotion at College of Brighton, mentioned: “Nobody likes to suppose they’ve caught a sexually transmitted an infection however with out a take a look at you simply can’t ensure.
“The date of STIQ Day was chosen as a result of many frequent STIs, like chlamydia, can take two weeks to be detectable. So, in case your festive season included unprotected intercourse then you ought to be enthusiastic about getting examined now.”
Professor Sherriff and the College of Brighton are collaborating in a World Well being Organisation examine of how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted on the supply of sexual and reproductive well being providers globally.
Companions for the venture embody the British Being pregnant Advisory Service, the Brighton and Hove Sexual Well being and Contraception service, in addition to The Saturn Centre, a sexual assault referral centre based mostly in West Sussex.
Professor Sherriff added: “The Covid-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented enhance in demand on well being providers right here within the UK and world wide.
“On the identical time, the broader social challenges that stemmed from the pandemic – equivalent to lockdowns and different restrictions on motion – meant entry to important providers equivalent to sexual and reproductive well being providers additionally suffered.
“Working with our native companions, we might be gathering perception from well being staff and their shoppers on points regarding contraception, abortion, sexual well being, in addition to care and assist for girls who’ve skilled sexual assault.
“Studying from our experiences of the previous couple of years, our findings will establish how we will greatest assist sexual and reproductive well being service provision and infrastructure ought to one other pandemic happen.”