AS PART OF TheJournal.ie’s Sex Week series, Dr Aisling Loy, a sexual health and HIV specialist working in Dublin’s Heytesbury Street clinic told us about the patients she sees on a daily basis.

Irish people in general still have a very unevolved attitude to sexual health maintenance, said Dr Loy.

“Most people who come to me have self-diagnosed, usually with HIV or Syphilis through the internet.”

We want to know about your experience. Have you ever been tested? Perhaps you go every year? Or maybe you are too scared or embarrassed?

Poll: Have you ever been tested for an STI?

Poll Results:

No (4209)

Yes, only when I think I need to (3116)

I get tested yearly (651)

I keep putting it off (570)

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More