Many people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) do not get symptoms, so its worth getting tested even if you feel fine. If you think you have an STI, the earlier you’re tested, the sooner treatment can be given if its needed.
An STI can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. You can get or pass on an STI whoever you’re having sex with.
STIs can pass between men and women, and from women to women and men to men.
Left untreated, STIs can affect your health. If you have an of the symptoms listed below, get tested.
In women and men:
– Pain when you pass urine
– Itching, burning or tingling around the genitals
– Blisters, sores, spots or lumps around the genitals or anus
– Black powder or tiny white dots in your underwear – this could be droppings or eggs from pubic lice
In women:
– Yellow or green vaginal discharge
– Discharge that smells
– Bleeding between periods or after sex
– Pain during sex
– Lower abdominal pain
In men:
– Discharge from the penis
– Irritation of the urethra (the tube urine comes out of)
You can get tested at:
A sexual health clinic or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic – find STI services near you
Some community contraceptive clinics – find contraceptive services near you
If you need help with substance misuse, whether it be drugs or alcohol there are local support services available.
Cheshire East provide an easy-access service to people in East Cheshire whose drug or alcohol use is a problem with the aim of promoting health and minimising harm to the individual, their families and the community.
Their integrated service is led by expert clinicians and knowledgeable staff who are committed to supporting people to make positive changes and progress toward improved health and well-being.
The service promotes recovery through early intervention and prevention for people of all-ages.
This specialist substance misuse service service has been commissioned by Cheshire East Council and is one service provided collaboratively with a range of partners. Our expert teams are from a variety of professional backgrounds to ensure that people who access our service have the benefit of wide-ranging knowledge and skills to meet their needs at various stages of their recovery.
You can find more information about the Substance Misuse Service on their website.
You can self refer to the substance misuse service by:
Telephone: 01270 656 301
Email: cwp.substancemisusecheshireeast@nhs.net
Cheshire East also offer a Young Persons Misuse Service for those under the age of 25.
You can read more about the service in this handy leaflet.
We know how important it is to remain mobile and independent but if you are aged 65 years and over and have either poor balance or mobility, Osteoporosis or have fallen in the past 12 months, there are local services available to help you.
If you live in Cheshire East, are aged 65 years and have either poor balance or mobility, Osteoporosis or have fallen in the past 12 months, this programme is for you.
Be Steady Be Safe is a 24-week programme consisting of balance re-training and strength exercise classes, prescribed home exercise and education, designed to keep you on your feet and independent.
Classes are held across the borough, on various days and times. On completing the 24 week programme, you’ll be able to carry on through attending regular moving-on classes and home exercises. Click here for details of classes.
You can view details of the classes available throughout the borough on the One You Website or you can call 0808 1643 202 for more information.
Drink Less
It’s one thing to enjoy a drink to unwind at the end of a long day.
But when that turns into two or three every night, you can end up drinking too much without even realising.
That can affect your body in all sorts of ways – putting on weight, disturbing your sleep and increasing your chances of developing high blood pressure, liver problems, heart attack and some types of cancer.
It’s easy to reduce those risks, with some help.
Current advice for men and women is to drink fewer than 14 units of alcohol a week and to spread drinking over 3 days or more if you do.
The One You Cheshire East Service has put together a whole host of tips and guidance, alongside community support services to help you keep your drinking under control
To access this free service you can:
Visit:The One You Website
Freephone: 0800 085 8818
Now is the right time to quit. Every cigarette causes you real harm and quitting smoking is healthier for you and your family.
Quit smoking and you’ll be amazed how quickly you see the benefits. You’ll breathe more easily, feel fitter, your skin will look better and your sense of taste will come back. If you have kids, you’ll be protecting them from the risk of asthma attacks, ear infections and cancers. You could be around £250 a month better off too – that’s £3000 a year. Just think what you could spend that on!
It can be hard to stop without support so local free services are available to help you quit for good.
Stopping Smoking is a really good idea. But we know it’s not easy to do. So at One You Cheshire East, they’ve got a wide range of support available to help you be smoke-free for good.
If you’re not sure where to start, One You can help you with a free Quit Kit, smartphone app and expert advice on the phone or online. They’ll guide you through the ways to curb your nicotine cravings too, such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy, medicines and vaping – with some options available on prescription and one-to-one help at local pharmacies and other community settings.
And if you’re pregnant, have mental health problems or spending time in hospital (or work in one) there’s extra help available through the specialists at Kickstart.
To access this free service you can:
Visit:The One You Website
Freephone: 0800 085 8818