The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care sent a fax to primary care physicians, emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and walk-in-clinics throughout Ontario regarding the increase in infectious syphilis cases in Ontario in 2009. In Windsor-Essex County there was an increase from 29 cases of syphilis in 2008 to 37 cases in 2009. The Health Unit also reported 84 new cases of Chlamydia in January 2010, which is up from 41 in December 2009 and 33 in November 2009.

The Health Unit is reminding individuals of all age groups to:

• Educate themselves on the various types of sexually transmitted infections by visiting the Sexual Health section on the Health Unit’s website.
• Practice safe sex. Condoms can be obtained free of charge by visiting the Health Unit.
• Use condoms even in monogamous relationships until both individuals are tested and confirmed infection free.
• Get tested. Individuals who have practiced unsafe sex and are concerned about the possibility of encountering a sexually transmitted infection should be tested either by their family physician, walk-in clinic, or sexual health clinics (i.e., health unit).

To book an appointment for your free STI testing at our Windsor, Essex, or Leamington clinic, or for more information, call 519-258-2146 ext. 1200 or 1201.