THERE was a time when, if you asked a pensioner what chlamydia was, they'd have sung you a song about a tattooed lady.
Not these days. Chances are that it is they who are wearing the tattoos – and for “the view of Niagara that nobody has”, read Viagra.
For while the over 40s, 50s and 60s are failing to sustain, ahem, long term relationships, reports say they are increasingly living life in the dolce vita and the decree absolute has fast become the passport to a healthy dose of fun.
Alas, not all doses are healthy.
Now, as the summer holiday season approaches, Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust is encouraging holiday makers of all ages to protect themselves against the risks of STIs when travelling abroad – but especially the over 40s.
Jim McVicker, Clinical Director for Liverpool Community Health Sexual Health Services says, “At the end of each summer, we see a significant increase in the number of people attending our sexual health clinics with concerns about STIs following a holiday abroad – so we want to encourage everyone to relax and enjoy themselves on holiday, but also to be sensible and stay safe.”
With lifestyle trends shifting and more people getting divorced, coming out of long-term relationships and finding themselves single again in their middle life, the service says it is keen to stress that it’s not just a message for young people.
In fact, although the rates continue to br highest amongst 18-30s, STI rates now are on the biggest increase amongst the over 40s age group.
Symptoms
They say the over 40s may have far less awareness about STIs and the importance of using contraception to protect themselves. “Typically they will have been in more long term relationships where these issues were less of a concern."
Jim McVicker continues, “Being the wrong side of 40 myself, I can identify with the problems that the older generation may have."
The common symptoms of an STI can include pain when you urinate, unusual discharge and, in women, bleeding between periods or after sex. However, chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in the UK and most people who have the infection don’t notice any symptoms at all.
They say: “Anyone who has had unprotected sex whilst on holiday, is advised to attend a sexual health clinic and get checked out as soon as possible when they get home.”
That'll bring you down to earth with a bump heavier than a Ryanair hitting the tarmac at Speke.
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