Update: Sex: Disease warning for the young

One in ten sexually active young people could be carrying a sexually transmitted infection, according to new research from Brook Advisory Centres.

Costing the NHS an estimated pounds 874m a year, STIs are most prevalent amongst the under-25s. Brook warns that although most people know about the dangers of HIV/Aids, few are aware of more common infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and genital warts. Most STIs can easily be diagnosed and treated with antibiotics, but, left untreated, some infections can result in infertility, ectopic pregnancy and cervical cancer.

"The message we're hearing from young people is that they don't receive enough relevant information about infections," said Margaret Brook, the charity's chief executive. Yesterday, Brook launched a teaching pack entitled Infection Protection for schools.

l `Infection Protection': pounds 24.95 from Brook Publications, 165 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8UD

- Glenda Cooper