The only 'clap' you want is applause
Avoiding the no-hand clap
One of the biggest concerns associated with being sexually active is the possibility of contracting an infection from a partner. The transmission of such infections can be a result of transference from bodily fluids such as blood, vaginal fluids or semen. Specific infections can be contracted from infected skin such as sores.
According to the Middlesex-London Health Unit health status resource, “Between 2000 and 2010, the overall number of [STIs] reported in Middlesex-London increased. This was largely due to increases in the number of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis infections.” The information is based on the 11-year time period.
“[From 2006 to 2010] there were more [chlamydia and gonorrhea infections] reported in female cases than males. [Rates] of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections reported in Middlesex-London were highest among 15 to 24-year-olds.”
Chlamydia is a common infection that is the result from bacteria building up or growing in the vagina, urethra, anus or in the eye. It is transmitted from vaginal or anal intercourse as well as oral sex. Chlamydia is not transferred from kissing or various forms of contact with surfaces where people with the infection have been such as toilet seats, clothing or bed linens.
Gonorrhea is another infection caused by bacteria that can be transferred through intercourse and oral sex. Unlike chlamydia, hands and other infected areas carrying the fluid can infect a person. According to youngwomenshealth.org, gonorrhea is more likely to transfer to a female rather than a male but that both sexes can contract it.
Sexually transmitted infections can contain a variety of symptoms, some being visible and others that are not.
According to youngwomenshealth.org, those infected with chlamydia may not see symptoms for approximately one to three weeks after the encounter. Some of the major symptoms associated with chlamydia include:
• Abdominal pain
• Burning during urination
• Increased urination
• Discharges from vagina
• Pain, itching, bleeding and/or a mucus discharge of the rectum (chlamydia in the anus)
• Redness, itching and/or discharge from eyes (chlamydia in the eyes)
Gonorrhea's visibility differs from chlamydia. Symptoms develop within approximately two to 10 days of getting infected. In some cases, it can take several months for them to show up. One of the dangers of getting gonorrhea is that it can be passed whether or not symptoms are present. The symptoms associated with gonorrhea differ between men and women.
For women:
• Vaginal discharge
• A burning feeling when urinating
• Pain with intercourse
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Irregular periods
For men, the symptoms are similar as there is a discharge from the penis, burning while urinating and possible swelling on the testicles.
Some of the symptoms that can occur in different parts of the body are:
• Sore throat
• Pain, discharge and bleeding from the anus
• Redness, itching or discharge from the eyes
• Joint swelling
• Skin rashes
When it comes to the reasoning behind the statistics for the Middlesex- London Health Unit, the amount of screening that takes place affects their ability to gather all the demographics required.
“[Information regarding females having higher cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea] may be due to more frequent screening among females and does not necessarily reflect greater incidence of infections.”
Being screened to make sure that you are not carrying STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea is extremely important for yourself and any future partners you have. If you did infect a loved one or a partner that you see on a casual basis, it is essential that they get treated as well. However, the first step is finding out if you are infected in order to find out if they are infected.
Often there is a cure available for most STIs, but it is never worth the risk to contract infections such as HIV/AIDS. There are serious health concerns that arise from contracting an infection again or never having it treated.
According to youngwomenshealth.org, there are serious health concerns that can occur. “[Women] who have untreated chlamydia [could] have symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Gonorrhea can also cause pelvic problems and produce new symptoms if infection to enters the bloodstream.”
The Middlesex-London Health Unit's STI clinic offers free testing and treatment for the infections. The testing is completely anonymous and does not require a health card. The clinic is open Monday and Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
From a medical perspective, the best way to avoid any infection or future infections after being cured is by abstaining from sex. However, being aware that you and your partner( s) are not infected with any STI along with using contraceptives to protect against potential infections allows you to continue living a healthy and worry-free sex life.
One of the biggest concerns associated with being sexually active is the possibility of contracting an infection from a partner. The transmission of such infections can be a result of transference from bodily fluids such as blood, vaginal fluids or semen. Specific infections can be contracted from infected skin such as sores.
According to the Middlesex-London Health Unit health status resource, “Between 2000 and 2010, the overall number of [STIs] reported in Middlesex-London increased. This was largely due to increases in the number of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis infections.” The information is based on the 11-year time period.
“[From 2006 to 2010] there were more [chlamydia and gonorrhea infections] reported in female cases than males. [Rates] of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections reported in Middlesex-London were highest among 15 to 24-year-olds.”
Chlamydia is a common infection that is the result from bacteria building up or growing in the vagina, urethra, anus or in the eye. It is transmitted from vaginal or anal intercourse as well as oral sex. Chlamydia is not transferred from kissing or various forms of contact with surfaces where people with the infection have been such as toilet seats, clothing or bed linens.
Gonorrhea is another infection caused by bacteria that can be transferred through intercourse and oral sex. Unlike chlamydia, hands and other infected areas carrying the fluid can infect a person. According to youngwomenshealth.org, gonorrhea is more likely to transfer to a female rather than a male but that both sexes can contract it.
Sexually transmitted infections can contain a variety of symptoms, some being visible and others that are not.
According to youngwomenshealth.org, those infected with chlamydia may not see symptoms for approximately one to three weeks after the encounter. Some of the major symptoms associated with chlamydia include:
• Abdominal pain
• Burning during urination
• Increased urination
• Discharges from vagina
• Pain, itching, bleeding and/or a mucus discharge of the rectum (chlamydia in the anus)
• Redness, itching and/or discharge from eyes (chlamydia in the eyes)
Gonorrhea's visibility differs from chlamydia. Symptoms develop within approximately two to 10 days of getting infected. In some cases, it can take several months for them to show up. One of the dangers of getting gonorrhea is that it can be passed whether or not symptoms are present. The symptoms associated with gonorrhea differ between men and women.
For women:
• Vaginal discharge
• A burning feeling when urinating
• Pain with intercourse
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Irregular periods
For men, the symptoms are similar as there is a discharge from the penis, burning while urinating and possible swelling on the testicles.
Some of the symptoms that can occur in different parts of the body are:
• Sore throat
• Pain, discharge and bleeding from the anus
• Redness, itching or discharge from the eyes
• Joint swelling
• Skin rashes
When it comes to the reasoning behind the statistics for the Middlesex- London Health Unit, the amount of screening that takes place affects their ability to gather all the demographics required.
“[Information regarding females having higher cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea] may be due to more frequent screening among females and does not necessarily reflect greater incidence of infections.”
Being screened to make sure that you are not carrying STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea is extremely important for yourself and any future partners you have. If you did infect a loved one or a partner that you see on a casual basis, it is essential that they get treated as well. However, the first step is finding out if you are infected in order to find out if they are infected.
Often there is a cure available for most STIs, but it is never worth the risk to contract infections such as HIV/AIDS. There are serious health concerns that arise from contracting an infection again or never having it treated.
According to youngwomenshealth.org, there are serious health concerns that can occur. “[Women] who have untreated chlamydia [could] have symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Gonorrhea can also cause pelvic problems and produce new symptoms if infection to enters the bloodstream.”
The Middlesex-London Health Unit's STI clinic offers free testing and treatment for the infections. The testing is completely anonymous and does not require a health card. The clinic is open Monday and Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
From a medical perspective, the best way to avoid any infection or future infections after being cured is by abstaining from sex. However, being aware that you and your partner( s) are not infected with any STI along with using contraceptives to protect against potential infections allows you to continue living a healthy and worry-free sex life.
