Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1450614
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 13 FEBRUARY 2022 17 COMMERCIAL What is Gonorrhea? GONORRHEA is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects the genitals, rectum and throat. It is most common in peo- ple aged 15-24. Am I at risk for Gonorrhea? Everyone is at risk of contracting Gonorrhea. If you're having un- protected sex with different part- ners, you're at risk of contracting Gonorrhea. Having unprotected vaginal, oral and anal sex with an infected part- ner is the most common way of getting infected with this sexually transmitted infection (STI). Gon- orrhea can also be transmitted to new-borns during childbirth if the mother is infected. Since this can lead to serious consequences, we encourage fe- males to test when they become pregnant. How easily can I become infect- ed with Gonorrhea? One cannot get infected by hug- ging, using the same toilet, or swimming in the same pool as an infected person. This STI can only be transmitted if you have unpro- tected sex. What happens if I don't get treat- ed for Gonorrhea? Untreated cases of Gonorrhea can cause permanent internal damage to whoever is infected. It causes pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in persons with fe- male organs, which can lead to scar tissue, pregnancy outside the womb, infertility and long-term pain. In persons with male organs, untreated Gonorrhea can cause sterility, and a painful condition in the tubes attached to the testicles. Untreated Gonorrhea may also increase your chances of contract- ing HIV. How will I know if I have Gonor- rhea? If you're leading a sexually active lifestyle, the best way to find out whether you have any form of STI, including Gonorrhea, is to get tested. However, you should be aware of a few symptoms to look out for. Persons with female ana- tomical and physiological charac- teristics may experience: • Vaginal discharge • A burning sensation when urinating • Heavier periods and bleed- ing between periods • Infection in the rectum, eyes or throat • Conjunctivitis (eye infec- tion) Persons with male anatomical and physiological characteristics may experience: • A white, yellow or green dis- charge from the penis • A burning sensation when urinating • Inflammation of the fore- skin • Swollen testicles • Infection in the rectum, eyes or throat • Conjunctivitis (eye infec- tion) What should I do if I think I'm experiencing some of these symptoms? Get Tested! We are here to help. If you want to book a free test you can call the GU clinic on 25457491, or send an email on sexualhealth.malta@gov.mt or follow us on Facebook/Instagram for more information. We are just an email or a message away. What happens when I do the test? Getting tested for Gonorrhea won't take up much of your time. Here's what will happen: Once you arrive at the clinic, one of our medical professionals will take a swab from the areas where you are having symptoms or sug- gest a urine test. The samples tak- en from your test will then be sent to the lab for analysis, and you will be asked to contact the GU clinic in a matter of a few days to discuss your results. Will I have Gonorrhea forever? Many cases of Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics, but according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), antibiotic resistant cases of Gonorrhea are on the rise and may become un- treatable. In case of a positive result, you can count on our professional assistance. We will give you the best advice possible to get the best treatment and medical informa- tion. I just finished my treatment. Does that mean I am immune now? No. Re-infection is very possible if you have unprotected sex with an infected partner. The best pre- vention for Gonorrhea and any other STI is to use a condom dur- ing sexual intercourse, and when in doubt, get tested! We are here to help! Contact Sexual Health Malta for more information and profes- sional assistance by sending us an email on sexualhealth.malta@gov. mt or follow us on Facebook/Ins- tagram to guide you how to book a test. Call the GU Clinic to get tested on 25457491. Let's know the facts! All you need to know about Gonorrhea Melita customers get cheaper roaming prices outside the EU MELITA Limited customers will enjoy significantly cheaper roaming costs when travelling outside the European Union. A total of 68 countries, including Australia, Canada and the United States of America are included in the list of destinations where these new rates apply. Following negotiations with operators across the world, Melita mobile customers will benefit from much cheaper rates, including mobile data costs, which are now 10 cents per MB, down from €15. Call- ing Malta from these countries will now cost 50 cents per minute, down from as much as €3.40 per minute. In addition to cheaper call rates, rates for SMS while roaming in the 68 countries included in the new pricing structure have also been drastically cut to 5 cents per mes- sage, down from 35 cents per mes- sage. More information of Melita's new roaming prices is available at https:// www.melita.com/mobile/roaming/