Australia celebrates Condom Day on Valentine's Day 'for good'

London, Feb. 13 (ANI): February 14 may be the international day of romance, but it is also 'National Condom Day' in Australia.

A health expert has asked people to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STI) on Valentine's Day.

"Don't let the little surprise you get on Valentine's Day be a STI. You may be going out with friends or to a party, protect yourself and carry some condoms - you never can tell what the night may bring," Dr Treeny Ooi, Director of Sexual Health at Hunter New England Health said.

Dr. Ooi advised all Australians to take precautions, the Daily Telegraph reports.

"No Valentine deserves to be given an STI," he added.

Infections like chlamydia are on the rise. It is now the most frequently notified disease in New South Wales and in 2007 alone; there were 12,391 new cases in that state.

The aim of National Condom Day is to encourage people to talk about condoms generally and benefits of its use.

"We are getting used to buying and carrying condoms, but sometimes the hardest part can be talking about them when it comes time to use one," Dr Ooi said.

"The messages are simple. If you are sexually active, it is essential to use condoms and have regular sexual health check-ups," he added. (ANI)