29 November 2022

Enjoy the festive season knowing you’re infection free!

This festive season we expect there will be more people celebrating than over the last few years. It’s important that while having fun you don’t pick up an unwanted present – a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)!

No one likes the idea of having to deal with an STI. The best way to protect ourselves against them is by using condoms and testing regularly.

Often getting routinely tested is the only way that people can detect an infection – and the earlier they are tested and treated, the less chance there is of long-term complication. For example 70% of women and 50% of men show no symptoms whatsoever after contracting Chlamydia.  Chlamydia is the most common STI condition in the UK.  Left untreated it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and even infertility.

CNWL’s sexual health clinics provide contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, including Chlamydia, free condom supplies for under 25s in Surrey, pregnancy tests and emergency contraception (which you can also get in a local pharmacy). You can get a home testing kit sent direct to your door to use at home discreetly too. Use the online services link on the website to order yours.

You may also want to take PrEP.  PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It’s a medicine people at risk of HIV can take to prevent them from getting HIV. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective. It can help you stay in control of your sex life and keep healthy.

PrEP may be a good choice for you if your sexual partners have a higher likelihood of being HIV positive and if you struggle to use condoms consistently for penetrative sex.

If you would like to know more about whether PrEP is right for you, you can find more information here and you can ask about PrEP at any sexual health appointment at a CNWL clinic.

If your festive season does include unprotected sex then you should get a test as soon as you can afterwards. Many common STIs (such as Chlamydia) can take two weeks to be detectable.

How to get tested

If you live in Surrey 

The Surrey Sexual Health Team have a dedicated page to order home testing kits There are two types of kits available for use at home. One for over 18s (this includes a test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV and Syphilis) and a chlamydia and Gonorrhoea test for under 25s.  

If you live in London

You can order a home testing kit online from Sexual Health London – visit the Sexual health London website to order a kit.

If you need to see a clinician because you have symptoms or are a contact of a sexually transmitted infection, please visit our Sexual Health website.

Getting a sexual health check is easy and shouldn’t be embarrassing or shameful; sex is a normal part of our adult life, and STIs can be a part of it, so we encourage everybody to test regularly and be in control of their sexual health. It’s a quick, simple process that not only puts your mind at rest but could protect you from more serious complications like infertility. Protect your sex life and protect your partner.