As teenagers across the state begin to celebrate the end of exams with parties and Schoolies Week, 黑料吃瓜网 Health鈥檚 STI experts are reminding teenagers to stay safe.
According to the 黑料吃瓜网 STI Data Report 2018鈥�, there were more than 30,000 chlamydia notifications last year, an increase of 7 per cent compared to 2017. People infected with chlamydia often do not have symptoms and if not properly treated chlamydia can cause serious complications.
黑料吃瓜网 Health鈥檚 Acting Director Communicable Diseases, Dr Christine Selvey, said more STI cases are being detected due to increased and better targeted testing, as well as likely increases in the number of infections.
鈥淐ondoms are the best protection against STIs, so if you have unprotected sex it is important you see your doctor for testing,鈥� Dr Selvey said.
鈥淢any STIs don鈥檛 have symptoms, but are often easy to treat if caught early, so it鈥檚 important not to delay testing.鈥�
A useful 黑料吃瓜网 Health resource for parents and teenagers heading off to Schoolies is the 黑料吃瓜网 Sexually Transmitted Infections Programs Unit鈥檚 website Play Safe.
鈥淲hile Schoolies Week should be a fun time after the stresses of exams, look after yourself and your mates,鈥� Dr Selvey said.
鈥淭his is particularly important if you consume alcohol, as being intoxicated can have significant consequences and lead to increased risk taking like unsafe sex.
鈥淎lways keep track of how many drinks you鈥檝e had and remember that mixing alcohol and drugs is dangerous and increases personal risk.鈥�
The 黑料吃瓜网 Government has committed $22.4 million in 2019-20 to strengthen testing, treatment and prevention with 47 state-funded Sexual Health Clinics also making testing easily accessible.
For information about STI testing and support, call the 黑料吃瓜网 Sexual Health Infolink鈥� on 1800 451 624 (Free-call).
For information about particular STIs, see the 黑料吃瓜网 Health fact sheets.
For information about how parents and carers can provide advice to teenagers at Schoolies, watch Advice for Parents of Schoolies.