How Can We Stop The Rise Of STIs?

About STiQ Day

STiQ day is held every January 14th to raise awareness about sexual health. As a campaign, STiQ day encourages you to get thinking and start talking about your sexual health, and motivates more people to get regular sexual health checks. Two weeks after the start of a New Year, STiQ day is held on January 14th as many common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as Chlamydia, can be detected after two weeks with a simple STI test kit. 

The Facts: STIs Are On The Rise

The sexually transmitted infection rate is increasing. No matter your age, gender or sexual orientation, you are at risk of contracting an STI after just one occasion of unprotected sex. As the importance of sexual health becomes more widely discussed, and information about sexually transmitted infections and their prevention accessible to most, the expectation would be that the number of recorded cases of STIs drop.

However, according to Public Health England figures, the total figure of new STI diagnoses increased by 40% between the years of 2004 and 2013 in the United Kingdom. 

Chlamydia was the most extensive STI with 208,755 recorded cases in 2013, this accounted for almost half of all cases. However, the largest increase in diagnosis between 2004 and 2013 was Herpes, which is reported to have expanded by 93%. Following Herpes, reported cases of Gonorrhea has also surged by 42%, and the number of people contracting Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) has soared by 25%. 

As reports indicate that cases of STIs are continuing to grow what can we do to protect ourselves and raise awareness about sexual health?

How To Protect Yourself

It is your responsibility to protect yourself from contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or sexually transmitted disease (STD). If you believe that you have contracted an infection, you must get your symptoms checked by a doctor to receive treatment if you have contracted a sexually transmitted infection.

1. Use A Condom

To avoid contracting an STI you should always practice safe sex. The most effective way to protect yourself against STIs is to use either a male or female condom when having intercourse. Latex condoms provide the best defence against STIs. 

2.  Talk Openly

The topic of sexual health has held the stigma of embarrassment for many years, resulting in a common reluctance to talk about STIs and STDs openly. However,  If you have a new partner and believe you may have contracted an STI, you should discuss the chances that you or they may have become infected. The concern can then be resolved and you can visit the doctor or clinic to get checked. 

3. Reduce Number Of Sexual Partners

You are at more risk of contracting an STI if you have sexual intercourse with a higher number of people. To safeguard yourself against sexually transmitted infections you should limit your number of sexual partners. 

4. Get Tested

It is usual for common sexually transmitted infections to present little, or no symptoms. Therefore,  as many STIs show few obvious symptoms, you could be infected without knowing. In turn, if you have concerns and are asking the question ‘Could I have an STI?‘ you should get tested. A painless and simple process, tests can even be carried out from your home with quick STI kits.

5. Get Treatment

A wide range of the most commonly diagnosed STIs can be quickly treated with a course of antibiotics, creams or solutions. Leaving infections untreated can lead to long-term and serious health problems, therefore it is very important to get tested to receive effective treatment. 

Find at-home STI tests here:

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