Health chiefs fear people with sexually transmitted infections undiagnosed during the pandemic may spread them as society opens up again.
The Public Health Agency is calling on people to get tested for a range of STIs amid concern such infections may not have been picked up due to clinics being closed during periods of lockdown.
Specifically, they are warning that there is a UK wide alert due to rising cases of an “extremely drug-resistant” infection called Shigella.
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The PHA says that the reduction of STI testing and diagnosis in 2020 “may mean an increase in people who are living in Northern Ireland with undiagnosed STIs, meaning they could be at risk of complications and of onward transmission to others”.
And with society “reopening and opportunities for people to meet up and socialise being restored”, the PHA is “urging people to avail of sexual health testing if they are sexually active or intending to become sexually active soon”.
Dr Gillian Armstrong, Interim Head of Health Protection at the PHA, said: “During the height of the pandemic many Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinics were initially closed to visitors and access to Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) screening became limited for some. The reduction of STI testing and diagnosis noted in 2020 may mean an increase in people who are living in Northern Ireland with undiagnosed STIs, meaning they could be at risk of complications and of onward transmission to others.
“It is important to take steps to reduce the risk of harm to yourself and others. As society reopens we would urge those who are sexually active to take the necessary steps and get screened to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
“While figures tend to show a reduction in recorded diagnoses during the pandemic, we have seen that since 2018 there has been a year-on-year increase in infectious syphilis diagnoses in Northern Ireland. Once considered a disease of the past, it may mean individuals have forgotten about the need for awareness and vigilance surrounding this infection.
“Although half of those infected with syphilis show no symptoms, some may develop infectious sores. These sores may be painless, they may clear up on their own but symptoms such as a rash may develop later. If left untreated, syphilis can lead to serious health problems, including damage to the heart, brain and nervous system.
“Also, in recent weeks the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an alert in light of rising cases of extremely drug-resistant Shigella infection in the UK. Again, just like syphilis, some people with shigellosis, which is caused by the bacteria, will have no symptoms.
“However, most of those who contract it will experience diarrhoea, a fever, and stomach cramps, so it is often mistaken for food poisoning. Symptoms usually begin one to two days after infection and last seven days.”
Dr Armstrong warned that people having unprotected sex are putting themselves and others at risk of getting an STI.
She added that people should get tested quickly if they think they are at risk, adding that they can order a home self-test kit for STIs, which is free, discreet and confidential. The test, which the PHA says arrives to your address in a plain letterbox-sized envelope, can be ordered online at www.sh24.org.uk. People can also go to a GUM clinic for testing.
The PHA says information on looking after your sexual health, symptoms of STIs and details of Northern Ireland GUM clinics can be found at www.sexualhealthni.info and www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/sexual-health.
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