Sex disease on the rise

Hamilton public health services is seeing an increase in sexually transmitted infections.

Chlamydia is at its highest rate ever in Hamilton, while gonorrhea is also on the rise. Both infections can lead to infertility in women and can increase the risk of HIV infection.

Doctors say getting tested is key because many sexually transmitted infections do not show signs or symptoms.

Linda Blake-Evans of Hamilton public health services: “We believe there’s a lot of undiagnosed infections out there so we are trying to encourage testing and testing has become easier so having a test can be as simple as a urine test so we believe there is an increase in testing so that may be driving rates a little higher.”

You can get tested by your family doctor; as well Hamilton public health services offers sexual health clinics where anyone can be tested or treated.

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