Chlamydia is a disease that affects many more women than men and with 92 million new cases every year, it is something that is beginning to get out of hand.
It seems to be a young person's disease as the majority of cases, certainly in parts of the Western world occur in those under 24 years of age.
It is hard to treat as there are no symptoms and yet can cause serious illnesses later on in life.
Throughout the world it is named as the main cause of infectious blindness.
The Silent STD The reason for this name is that there are not always symptoms, and suffers may have it for years and not say anything as they are not aware of it.
If symptoms show after unprotected sex then tests should be carried out as the earlier the disease in found, the easier it will be to treat.
The STD test will give a result very quickly.
Chlamydia transmission Those who get Chlamydia involve themselves in anal, oral or vaginal intercourse with an infected person without protection.
Even if withdrawal intercourse method is used by the male, he could still transmit this infection.
As well, a person who has had it previously can get it all over again if they have intercourse with an infected person.
Pregnant women Just like gonorrhea, Chlamydia can be passed to the baby during birth.
The baby could catch pneumonia or an eye infection at birth too.
What's more, it could cause an ectopic pregnancy that could cause death of the mother.
Another thing it can cause is a pre-mature delivery of your baby.
It is thus important to get a Chlamydia STD test today if you are an expectant woman.
Symptoms If there are symptoms noticed - and this is in a very small number of people infected they tend to be:- In Women -Strange vaginal discharge, -Bleeding after intercourse and pain during -Frequent and painful urination -Pains in the lower stomach In Men -Painful and swollen testicles -Burning feeling when urinating -Strange discharge from the penis.
Testing Samples can be taken of the discharge from the vagina or penis or can be a urine test.
There is a STD test that can be carried out at home for people who find this a more suitable way to get the results than visiting a clinic or their GP.
Treatment Antibiotics will clear chlamydia providing it is caught in time.
Depending on how early it is caught and how severe the case is, it could be that there only has to be one course taken.
Permanent pelvic disease can result for failure to take antibiotics in time, as can infertility.
It is believed that 95% of cases can be cured just with antibiotics if the treatment is taken quickly enough.
Aithromycin can work with just a single dose, while if a longer course is needed, doxycycline capsules will be taken twice a day for a week.
Chlamydia Screening As this is a young person's illness, there is the chance to be screened for free providing you are less than 25 years of age.
Some pharmacies carry this out but it can also be done through specific NHS sites.
If there is a reason why it would be preferable for the test to be carried out at home, then there are STD test kits that can be sent out through the post meaning that there will be no need to actually see anyone during the process.
If there has been a positive result after tasking the STD test then it is vital that any recent sexual partners are contacted.
They will need to be tested as well as they could have also been infected.
To prevent further infection, barrier contraception should be used at all times.