More people catch chlamydia than flu in Irish town of Limerick

PEOPLE in one town in Ireland catch chlamydia and genital warts more than the flu.

Doctors in Limerick reported 1,746 cases of chlamydia between 2013 and 2017, according to figures published by HSE Ireland Mid-West Public Health department.

The figures also revealed 1,054 reported cases of genital warts in Limerick since 2013.

Chlamydia is an STI that is curable if caught early and treated with antibiotics, but can have devastating long-term affects if it goes untreated.

Symptoms of the STI are discomfort when urinating or unusual discharge from vagina or penis.

There were 905 cases of the flu and 303 detections of the norovirus during the same four-year period.

From 2013 to 2017 the number of chlamydia detections increased from 334 to 410.

An HSE spokesperson said: “Education is important to help prevent STIs.

"Key messages include consistent and correct use of condoms and STI screening for those who are at risk of infection.”

Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs infections in the UK, according to the NHS.

LONG-TERM HEALTH PROBLEMS
About 200,000 people test positive for the curable STI every year.

It is passed through sex without a condom.

Chlamydia is common among young adults and teenagers.

The NHS recommends people aged under 25 get tested every year or when an individual changes sexual partners.

The STI can be treated with antibiotics.

Limerick's got form when it comes to STIs...

There was a young lady called Lydia,Who was given a dose of Chlamydia,She cried and she wailed,After the STI test was failed,And sobbed: 'How am I gonna get rid o' ya?'

Many people do not realise they have the STI, but the NHS has said some symptoms to look out for are pain when urinating and unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or rectum.

For womenm they can experience pain in their tummy, bleeding during or after sex and bleeding between periods.

For men, they can experience pain and swelling the testicles.

If it is left untreated, it can lead to long-term health problems including pelvic inflammatory disease, reactive arthritis and infertility.