Chlamydia Facts
What is Chlamydia ?
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease. There has been a 122% rise in chlamydia in the past 10 years. Most at risk are young people, both men and women between the ages of 16-24 years. It is thought that as many as 1 in 10 young people who are sexually active now carry the disease.
The Bad News
If left untreated Chlamydia can cause serious permanent damage such as:
- Sterility in both men and women, due to lowered sperm counts and blocked fallopian tubes
- Reiter' syndrome, a chronic form of reactive arthritis
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
The Goods News
Chlamydia can be treated with a course of antibiotics.
How do you know if you are infected ?
As the disease is asymptomatic, there are very few signs of infection. In a recent survey 88% of young people who tested positive displayed no symptoms at all.
Symptoms may include:
- Discharge in both men and women
- Lower abdominal pain leading to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Both of these symptoms could be easily misdiagnosed as another form of infection, so if in doubt take a test.
Who is at risk
- Any person under 25 who is sexually active and has had unprotected sex
- Men and Women
- If you have more than 2 partners in the last year
How to prevent infection
- Take a test and encourage your sexual partner to take a test
- Always use a condom and take a test prior to changing to other forms of contraception
- Encourage your friends to take a test, education on chlamydia will help prevent the infection and possibly infertility later in life.
How to take a test
Urine test kits are now readily available so you do not have to visit a clinic. Obviously if you do find you have the disease you will need to see your GP or visit a GUM clinic to receive antibiotic treatment. There are many companies around that offer a confidential service by post.