Chlamydia at all-time high in Washington as officials urge sexually active women under 25 to be tested

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 11 May 2004 - 0:00 PDT


Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease, in Washington State, USA it grew 12% in a year, making it a record year. Health officials in Washington are urging all sexually active women under the age of 25 to have an annual test.

In the USA 75% of people with chlamydia are under the age of 25. For every four people with chlamydia three are women and one is a man. Expert say that it is seemingly more common in women because they are tested more regularly than men.

Experts believe the main reason for the increase in chlamydia in the USA is better testing. Tests today are much better than they used to be. Another factor is probably that young people are more promiscuous than they used to be as more effective HIV drugs hit the market.

If you are American, do not have a health care provider, officials recommend you look at the following web site:
www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/STD/facility.htm

The following information about Chlamydia comes from:
http://www.addenbrookes.org.uk/shac/infect/chlamydia.html

WHAT IS CHLAMYDIA AND WHAT CAN IT DO?

Chlamydia is a bacterium ('germ'). Chlamydia usually infects the urethra (water passage) in boys or men and girls or women, and also the cervix in girls or women (More about cervicitis). Chlamydia can affect the reproductive organs (including the cervix and fallopian tubes), the eyes and, in some people, the joints (causing a type of arthritis). A reaction to the chlamydial infection can cause joint pain and sometimes skin problems including a rash on the penis.

HOW DID I GET IT AND HOW CAN I AVOID GETTING IT?

Genital chlamydial infection is caught by having unprotected sex. If you don't have sex, you won't get genital chlamydia. If you do have sex, using a condom perfectly should protect you and your partner.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS?

Either sexes: many people have been infected with chlamydia without knowing, because often it causes no (or few or mild) symptoms, or symptoms that seem like those of another illness.

IN BOYS OR MEN: commonly the infection has no symptoms in boys or men. Because the urethra is inflamed (sore), you might get a stinging (or burning) sensation when you urinate (pee). You might also notice a slight discharge. Occasionally, chlamydia can pass to the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles, which can cause pain and swelling in the testicles and scrotum. Very rarely, it can cause infertility in men.

IN GIRLS OR WOMEN: of all the girls/women who are infected, about 70% of them will have no symptoms. Most girls or women who have a chlamydial infection are infected around the cervix (cervicitis), which show as a slight increase in vaginal discharge. If it infects the urethra, it might cause a stinging sensation when you urinate, which feels like cystitis (a common bacterial infection of the bladder).

WHAT CAN GO WRONG AFTER A CHLAMYDIAL INFECTION?

If the chlamydial infection is treated early, it is unlikely to cause you long-term problems. Some women can get more-widespread infections with chlamydia (called pelvic inflammatory disease, PID). This is when the bacteria move up into the womb (uterus) and from there to the fallopian tubes (the tubes that bring the egg into the womb). This can result in a pain low in the abdomen (tummy) and can cause long-term scarring of the tubes.

ARE THERE EXTRA RISKS DURING PREGNANCY?

Women who have chlamydia while they are pregnant can infect their baby's eyes or lungs during birth (as the baby passes through the birth canal). For this reason, they should have the infection treated, which is safe to do during pregnancy.

IS CHLAMYDIA A COMMON CAUSE OF INFERTILITY?

Some women only become aware that they have had chlamydia many years before,when they find themselves unable to become pregnant (or at least without medical help).

WHEN SHOULD I BE 'CHECKED OUT' FOR CHLAMYDIA?

If you are not in a stable relationship and are having unprotected sex (not using a male or female condom), it is a good idea to have a check up from time to time.

WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE COMING TO HAVE A TEST?

If you are worried that you might have chlamydia, it would be best not to have sex until you have been checked out and given the 'all clear'.
v WHAT TESTS CAN YOU OFFER ME?
We need to find the germ to show that you are infected with chlamydia. We can easily check whether you have chlamydia by gently taking a swab (with a cotton-wool tip or soft foam) from just inside the urethra (water passage) in boys and men or, in girls and women, from the cervix and urethra. Very soon we will be able to use a urine test for boys and men.

WHAT TREATMENT CAN YOU OFFER ME?

We can treat chlamydia very easily using a short course of antibiotic pills (tetracycline, azithromycin or erythromycin).

WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER THE TEST?

It is important not to have unprotected sex until we are sure the infection has cleared.

WHAT ABOUT MY PARTNER(S)?

If you are infected, it is important that your partner(s) are also seen by experts and treated. This is to prevent you being re-infected by them, or them passing it on to other sexual partners in future.

WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS FOR THE FUTURE AND SHOULD I WAIT TO BE CHECKED OUT?

FOR BOYS AND MEN: we hope that soon we will be able to test for this infection using a sample of your urine, which will mean less need to take a sample from the inside of the urethra.

FOR GIRLS AND WOMEN: we should soon be able to test a vaginal swab that you take yourself (self-collect).

However, if you have symptoms now, don't wait for an easier test - it is important to get treatment as early as possible. This will help reduce the chances of you passing it to your sexual partner(s) or having problems in future.

"Remember: your partner might have infectious chlamydia but have no symptoms (ie feel and look completely normal). Get yourself 'checked out' now!"

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