People living in and around Wakefield have been urged to help tackle the rising number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by using condoms and visiting a walk-in 'Fastest' clinic to check up on their sexual health.
Run by the HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) and funded by NHS Wakefield District, the 'Fastest' clinics offer free tests for infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B and C, HIV and syphilis.
HIV tests at the clinics provide results just 20 minutes after taking blood from a pricked finger. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea test results take a week to return from the lab, after doctors analyse male urine samples or female self-administered swabs. Full blood samples are needed for hepatitis and syphilis tests.
Women can request free pregnancy testing, as well as emergency contraception, the Pill and contraceptive depot injections.
THT will provide antibiotics to those who test positive, distribute free condoms and give advice on safer sex.
Melissa Briscoe, THT's North regional manager, said: "We've recently seen a significant rise among the over-40s of infections like chlamydia, which often has no symptoms and can cause serious damage. Where good sexual health is concerned, going for regular check-ups is just as important as using condoms."
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