Agony Aunt

Dear Agony Aunt,
I have noticed all the posters around advertising free tests for Chlamydia and it says that you can catch it from having sex.  What is Chlamydia? I have never heard of it? And what health problems do you get from having it?
Worried.

Dear Worried,
Chlamydia is now the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in New Zealand and is caused by bacteria. It is often caught by having unprotected sex (that is having sex without using a condom). Both men and women can get it (including same sex partners). Chlamydia bacteria can infect the genitals and rectum.

Dear Agony Aunt
My boyfriend and I have got this rash all over and it's really itchy. My friend said she thought it could be scabies. What do you think it could be?
From Itchy and Scratchy

Dear Itchy and Scratchy,
It sounds like your friend could be right but to be sure you need to get checked out by a doctor or nurse. Scabies is caused by tiny insects which burrow along in the skin, laying eggs as they go. Above the eggs small blisters form, surrounded by red patches; these can be very itchy.

Dear Agony Aunt,
I am having trouble sleeping. I go to sleep very late at night, wake up a few times a night and then wake at least an hour before my alarm goes off. I have tried lots of things to relax me like quitting caffeine, listening to music before bed and stopped reading before I sleep but nothing seems to help. I need my sleep, I look like a zombie.
Dopey

Dear Agony Aunt,
I've heard there is an injection that can stop you from getting cervical cancer and that it's free. Is this true?
Anon

Dear Reader
Every year in New Zealand about 160 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 60 will die from it. The virus responsible for causing cervical cancer is called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). You cannot get cervical cancer without first having had a HPV infection. It is now possible for girls aged between 9 and 26 years to protect themselves against the virus that causes cervical cancer and other devastating diseases.