Breaking the chain before popping the bubble
Lakes DHB Infectious Disease and Sexual Health Physician Dr Massimo Giola says the lockdown for Covid-19 presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to minimise the transmission of serious sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Dr Giola says if people have been serious about Alert Levels 4 and 3, they should not have had sex in six weeks with anyone outside their bubble.
“If people get tested for all STIs now; before social (and sexual!) interaction resumes and they pop the bubble open, we have a serious chance of diagnosing and treating STIs before they are passed on. We might not be able to eliminate STIs and HIV, but we have a serious chance of flattening their curves,” he says.
Dr Giola says 56 Dean Street in Soho (United Kingdom) the biggest sexual health clinic in the UK has seen an 80 per cent fall in gonorrhoea cases and requests for PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis – antiretroviral drugs taken after unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent the acquisition of HIV) under lockdown in London. Now they are calling for everyone to get tested before they resume casual sex, to break the chain of transmission.
Dr Giola encourages the public to contact their GP for an STI check, or to call the sexual health clinic for an appointment if they are uncomfortable about speaking to their GP.
In Taupō individuals can contact 0800Anamata 0800 262 6282.
Living the good life in retirement, a Stuff-Metlifecare partnership
Kia ora team
Our special partnership with Metlifecare continues, and we have some great content to share with readers about people living their best lives in retirement.
This issue we look at some of the worthwhile volunteer roles retirees are filling in our communities, learn about mindfulness at any age, and check out some Kiwi beach travel options while the good weather lasts.
Don’t forget to try out our nostalgia quiz - it’s for anyone who wants to test the Kiwi knowledge they’ve picked up over the past four, five, six or more decades.
Joanna Davis
Homed Editor
Are you keeping it old school?
We know that things come back around, look at vinyl records!
Do you still use any old-school technology (like landlines or VHS tapes) at home?
Let us know in the comments.
Have you got a great recipe for feijoas?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for feijoas, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our March 2025 issue.
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