Tis the season to catch an STI

An STI testing kit supplier is preparing for increased demand of its products over the Christmas period due to office party festive frolicking.

Preventx, a leading supplier of chlamydia home testing kits has spent most of November stocking up its products for the backlash of Christmas party shenanigans and is expecting a high increase in orders starting from early December.

The combination of constant parties, high amounts of alcohol and socialising with old friends or work colleagues means even the most sensible of people will take risks.

Preventx director, Michelle Hart said: “We’re fully expecting our sales of chlamydia testing kits to increase substantially over the Christmas period.

“November’s figures have risen by over 125 per cent compared with two months ago, so we’re expecting a further rise from December through to January.

“Waiting times at clinics can be up to six weeks in some areas of the UK, when it should only be two days. Nobody likes waiting that long to find out their results, so we’ve been stocking up accordingly.”

She added: “I think Christmas is a time when no one likes to be single. We’re constantly bombarded with Christmas advertising showing happy couples round the fire. Mix this with alcohol and it could be one of the reasons why so many young and single people are having unprotected sex.”

Workers see the Christmas party as a chance to let their hair down, lose their inhibitions and do things that they would not normally do.

Research has shown British boozing increases by 41% in the festive season and births peak in late summer/early autumn – nine months after Christmas.

The Health Protection Agency has recently reported that in the UK, chlamydia cases have risen by nine per cent (95,879 to 104,155) from last year and it is still the most common STI.

Chlamydia often causes no symptoms, and can be passed on to others without knowing. Complications may occur if it is left untreated, including problems in pregnancy, and infertility in both men and women.