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Children As Young As 11 Treated For Sexual Infections

CHILDREN as young as 11 are being diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections, with nearly 1,000 under-16s treated in the past three years.


A freedom of information request revealed the youngsters needed help to deal with venereal diseases such as chlamydia, genital warts, gonorrhoea and herpes.


Among these was an 11-year-old boy treated for chlamydia and two boys of 12 with genital warts and herpes treated by Chelsea and Westminster Foundation Trust.
Mid Essex Foundation Trust published information showing it treated a 12-year-old girl with herpes between 2009 and 2010.


Despite many trusts refusing to release their information, figures from a handful that responded showed 44 girls and two boys of 13 contracted an STI since 2008.
Overall, at least 200 14-year-olds and 602 15-year-olds also attended clinics with sexual health problems in the same period.


Girls outnumber their male counterparts at almost three to one with the most common infection being chlamydia which, if untreated, can leave women infertile.
The Family Planning Agency said the findings showed it was vital for parents and schools to promote safe sex.


It said: “Investment in sexual health services pays off and spending on sexual health services should be sustained.”

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