Did you know...

Submitted by Lynda Piper-Roche on 19 February 2010 - 12:27pm

...that there is a connection between HIV and other STIs/STDs*? That your risk of contracting HIV is higher if you have an STI/STD...

Some STIs e.g. syphilis and herpes can cause irritation, breaks or sores of the skin. These can provide a route for HIV to enter the body during sexual contact.

There is also a risk for transmission even when an STI e.g. chlamydia or gonorrhea causes no breaks or open sores. These infections can stimulate an immune response in the genital area that can make HIV transmission more likely.

In addition, if an HIV-infected person is also infected with another STI that person is 3 to 5 times more likely than other HIV-infected people to transmit HIV to others through sexual contact.

STIs/STDs are on the increase in Ireland. And it is estimated that there could be 2000 people living with HIV in Ireland who do not know they are infected. So it is advisable to get checked for any STIs/STDs....

STI - sexually transmitted infection

STD - sexually transmitted disease