In the UK, the number of new diagnoses of Chlamydia has been steadily increasing each year since the mid-1990s, and it has now become the most commonly diagnosed STI.
Between 2004 and 2005, the number of confirmed cases of Chlamydia rose by 5%, from 104,733 to 109,958. Sexually active women aged under 25, have a one in 10 chance of getting Chlamydia, and men who are aged between 20 and 30 are most at risk of becoming infected.
As Chlamydia sometimes has no symptoms in both men and women, it can often go undiagnosed, unless it leads to complications. However, once the infection has been diagnosed, it can be treated.
Spotting Chlamydia Symptoms
Chlamydia is often called the ‘silent’ disease due to the lack of noticeable symptoms. Because of this, many cases of Chlamydia remain undiagnosed. Around 50% of men and 70% of women who have the Chlamydia infection will have no symptoms at all and many others have symptoms so minor, they go unnoticed.
Symptoms of Chlamydia in Women
In women, genital Chlamydia does not often cause any symptoms. However, some women may have 'non-specific symptoms' such as cystitis, a change in their vaginal discharge and mild lower abdominal pain.
If visiting a GP or family planning doctor with any of these symptoms, it is possible to ask for a Chlamydia test taken, even if one has not been offered. If left untreated, the Chlamydia infection may lead to symptoms such as pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse, or occasionally bleeding between periods.
The Chlamydial infection can also spread to the womb, and cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID is a major cause of infertility, ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage.
Symptoms of Chlamydia in Men
A man with Chlamydia commonly experiences a urethral discharge from the penis. There may also be inflammation of the tube leading from the bladder to the tip of the penis (urethritis), and inflammation of the tube leading from the testes to the penis (epididymitis).
There may also be mild irritation at the end of the penis that will usually disappear after two or three days. However, after the discomfort disappears, the sufferer may still have the Chlamydia infection. This means that it can be passed on to a sexual partner. There is also the risk of inflamed and swollen testicles.
In rare cases, Chlamydia can also cause an uncommon condition that affects the eyes and joints, known as Reiters syndrome. Chlamydia can also cause fertility problems in men. Approximately half of all men with symptoms have impaired fertility, such as epididymitis.
Treatment for Chlamydia
The common treatment for Chlamydia is a course of antibiotics that, if taken as instructed, is at least 95% effective. The course of antibiotics can be either a single dose, or a longer course of up to two weeks.
The two most commonly prescribed treatments are Azithromycin (single dose) and Doxycycline (sometimes called Vibramycin). The antibiotics used to treat Chlamydia may interact with the combined contraceptive pill and the contraceptive patch. Tell the doctor or nurse if these contraceptive methods are used, so they can advise on additional contraception over this time.
Protecting Sexual Partners
Chlamydia can be easily passed on through intimate sexual contact. Therefore, if someone has the infection, anyone who they have recently had sex with (in the last six months) may also have it. It is therefore vital that partners are tested, regardless of whether they have any symptoms or not.
Source:
Target Chlamydia UK information site
