Dramatic rise in sexually transmitted infections among young people

University students are being urged to practise safe sex following a dramatic rise in the numbers of young people in Ireland diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases.

The Union of Students Ireland has joined forces with the HSE to launch a safer sex campaign after it emerged that more than 5,200 people aged between 15 and 24 were diagnosed with either chlamydia, gonorrhea, or genital herpes last year.

This represents an 11% increase in sexually transmitted infections compared to 2016.