People with sexually transmitted infections are delaying seeking help, which is leading to serious complications in some cases.

According to sexual health providers, confusion about which services are open, fear of contracting Covid-19 or lack of privacy to make confidential phone calls, were holding some back from getting help.

Youth health specialist and SYHPANZ Life Member Sue Bagshaw says her Christchurch practice has been using lots of texting and Facebook Messenger to make it easier for patients to get information in confidence.

It was “imperative” young people got sexual health checks and kept contraception up to date, she said.

“The same rules apply whether you are in lockdown or not . . . the last thing anybody wants is lots of unwanted pregnancies or complications from untreated sexually transmitted infections.”

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