HAMBLETON and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) is using National Sexual Health Week to raise awareness of an important part of our physical and psychological well-being, and one which can cause long-term and serious consequences.

Sexual Health Week runs from Monday to next Sunday and highlights some of the priorities contained in the Department of Health's ten-year National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV, which was launched in 2001 and addresses the rise of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs).

Key messages in the Sexual Health Campaign are as follows.

There is a much greater chance than you think of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STI) Some STIs have no symptoms; some cannot be cured You cannot tell by looking whether someone has an STI

Use a condom. Left untreated STIs can cause serious consequences A series of leaflets and a cinema advertisement will be released that highlights the dangers of chlamydia, the most common STI.

Complications of chlamydia, which is often unsymptomatic in the early stages, include pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

Nationally there has been an increase in the number of STIs and the number of visits to genito-urinary (GU) clinics has doubled over the past ten years. There are family planning services in seven locations across Hambleton and Richmondshire. Phone 01609 764102 to find out more information.

Further information about the Government's sexual health strategy is available at www.doh.gov.uk/sexualhealthandhiv

index.htm.

Updated: 10:37 Saturday, August 02, 2003