Christmas flings lead to spike in STI worries

Casual Christmas flings by people who went further than a kiss under the mistletoe have led to a record spike in calls to STI clinics.

Medical staff at the South Infirmary Victoria Hospital’s sexually transmitted infection clinic in Cork, who operate satellite clinics in the city and at Kerry General Hospital, are bracing themselves for one of their busiest months after the festive season.

New figures for 2013 show they received a record 3,714 calls to the clinics seeking help and advice last January.