The rapid increase over the last 5 years has made chlamydia the commonest
bacterial STI in GUM clinics. The highest rates are in women aged 16-24 and men
of 20-24 years. The majority (70-80%) of those infected do not have any
symptoms. (Latest figures in Lancet 2003: 361:1792 10% of young men infected and
90% have no symptoms).
Once we have access to urine testing for chlamydia (currently available only
in trial areas), we will be in a position to offer screening for chlamydia to
young women - overall prevalence 10% of those aged 16-24. The focus on women is
because of the possible major effects of untreated Chlamydia trachomatis infection
which includes infection ascending, possibly silently, to the fallopian tubes
resulting in risk of infertility, life threatening ectopic pregnancy and
internal adhesions. However, men can also be made infertile following bilateral epididymal infection.
The telephone number for the GUM clinic in Tamworth is 01827
263810.
One in eight teenage girls has chlamydia, clinic tests show
Source: The Independent Date: 30/09/2004
Findings from the national chlamydia screening programme, which started last year, have revealed that the rate of infection among 16 to 19-year-old women is more than 40 per cent higher than those aged 20 to 24. One in eight teenage girls is infected with the disease, which rarely causes symptoms in sufferers and is the most common sexually transmitted disease in Britain. 58,000 cases of chlamydia were diagnosed in 16 - 24 year olds in STD clinics last year. The incidence among men is highest in the 20 to 24 age group. for one in eight teenagers is infected with the sexually transmitted disease.
The infertility timebomb
Source: Daily Mail Date: 29/10/2003
A feature in today's Daily Mail looks at how chlamydia could be the cause of an 'infertility timebomb' in the UK. The article looks at the case of 29-year-old Natalie Bament, who became sexually active at 13, and contracted chlamydia, leaving her infertile. Sexual health experts say there is an epidemic of sexually transmitted infections among Britain's younger population, and many thousands of girls could be infertile and childless when they come to try and start a family. Some 70 per cent of sufferers have no way of telling that they have chlamydia, and as many as one in four cases of infertility and a half of all ectopic pregnancies are thought to be due to chlamydia.
Chlamydia - One-in-three will get sex bug like Donna from Emmerdale
Source: The Sun Date: 25/03/2004
Soraya Madell takes a look at the STD chlamydia, which the government claims will infect one in three heterosexuals, though nine out of ten cases have no obvious symptoms. The current storyline of soap opera Emmerdale involves a young woman who catches the disease and spreads it unwittingly. Peter Greenhouse advises on the illness, which is of greater risk to women, whilst The Sun takes a look at four case studies. The feature is also accompanied by a discussion of the symptoms ('I've seen what it can do') and one woman's ordeal at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, where she visited for a test and check-up. The article urges women who think they may be at risk to get tested.
Information leaflet about Chlamydia & its treatment
http://www.nelh.nhs.uk/treatmentnotes/15%20Chlamydia.pdf
The Minster Practice, Lichfield
