Chlamydia

Chlamydia (Kla-Mid-Dee-Ah) is the commonest curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK.

How Do You Get It?

The most important thing to know about Chlamydia is that any one who is having sex is vulnerable. You only need to have unprotected sex with one person who has the infection to catch it; but of course, the more partners you have, the more likely you are to be infected. During 2001, there were more than 71,000 new reported cases, the highest level ever and a 10 % rise from 2000.

According to Public Health laboratory Service figures it is estimated that one in ten under 25 year olds now have the infection.

If you are over 25 and have had two partners within a year, or recently changed partners your risk increases.

Symptoms

• Discharge
• Pain or burning when urinating
• Inflammation of the penis or vagina
• Pain in the lower part of the body
• Heavy periods or irregular bleeding
• Testicular pain

• Unprotected vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner
• Sharing sex toys
• Passed from mother to baby at birth

• Blocked fallopian tubes (resulting in infertility)
• Miscarriage or premature birth
• Ectopic pregnancy

Help and Support

Chlamydia will not go away on it’s own. However it can be simply and successfully treated with antibiotics.

If you think you have been at risk you can either talk to your GP and ask specifically for a test, or you can contact a sexual health clinic. These are also known as Genito-Urinary Medicine (GU) clinics, and are usually found at a large hospital. The clinics are free and confidential. Anyone can go; your doctor does not need to refer you.

You can find your nearest one in the phone book. Or by calling:
NHS Direct 0845 4647.

Sexual health help-line is available seven days a week 24 hours a day
Call: 0800 567 123

The Official Patient's Sourcebook on Chlamydia

Icon Health Publications

This sourcebook has been created for patients who have decided to make education and Internet-based research an integral part of the treatment process. Although it gives information useful to doctors, caregivers and other health professionals, it also tells patients where and how to look for information covering virtually all topics related to chlamydia, from the essentials to the most advanced areas of research. The title of this book includes the word official. This reflects the fact that the sourcebook draws from public, academic, government, and peer-reviewed research. Selected readings from various agencies are reproduced to give you some of the latest official information available to date on chlamydia.