SexualHealth

What is Chlamydia?

'The Silent Disease' (as there is a noticeable lack of symptoms) is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, which can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat and sometimes the eyes. Because of the lack of noticeable symptoms it remains undiagnosed in many cases. About 50% of men and 70% of women.

Current figures show that around 1 in eight men and 1 in 10 women are infected. This figure is thought to be a lot higher in the under 25 age group. Untreated, fertility can be reduced and women are at higher risk of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, miscarriage and if pregnant can pass the infection to the child during birth.

How do you get it?

Unprotected penetrative sex, oral sex, sharing sex toys, bodily fluids such as sperm or vaginal fluid in your eye

What are the symptoms?

Like Gonorrhoea, there will often be no symptoms so we recommend our OPTION 2 test which covers both.

What can I do?

A urine test for men and swab for women posted to you for next day delivery (if order received by 1600) after you have posted this back to our lab we will contact you with your result within 2-3 days

* Note that the home test is unlikely to detect signs of infection caught within the last 2 weeks.

What if its positive?

Our Dr's can prescribe a 7-14 day treatment by post, which will clear it up. Specific treatment is required in pregnancy. It will be important to get your partner tested too and a full screen should be done for other STIs.