Ignorance and indifference risks spread of chlamydia

For some time now Men's Sexual Health have been aware that a large percentage of young people are avoiding having a Chlamydia test, because they do not understand how simple it is, or are concerned about confidentiality. This has just been echoed in a recent Department of Health report, which indicates as many as 30% of young people don't get tested as they are either embarrassed or frightened by the test. Recent national studies which are echoed in Wiltshire, Swindon, Bath and North East Somerset show a significant rise in the numbers of young people being diagnosed with this condition, yet it is one of the easiest infections to detect and treat.

Of greatest concern is that a young person may have the infection, but not know, in fact upwards of 50% of young men and upwards of 70% of young women will not show any symptoms; couple this with those who are to frightened or embarrassed, then you have the potential for a continued rise in numbers of those infected.

Chlamydia is a silent infection that can have serious consequences. Left untreated, Chlamydia can cause many chronic conditions and in the worst case lead to permanent infertility.

Men's Sexual Health continues to offer a very discrete postal testing and results service for men and women under the age of 25, which can be used as an alternative to young people having to access their GP or having to attend a Specialist Clinic. This service is free of charge, and all that is required is a small urine sample.

"We already have a large number of young people accessing this service, purely because it is discrete; they like the fact that no other person will know of the young person having taken the test, or the results from the test [including us] without the young person being fully aware."

After asking Men's Sexual Health for a test kit, the young person sends the competed sample back to the test laboratory in a special prepaid envelope, and should Chlamydia be found, then arrangements can be made for the young person to collect a very short course of antibiotics, which will remove the infection. In most instances the treatment consists two tablets.

Further information on Chlamydia can be found on our dedicated page.

Any young person who would like to take up this service can contact Men's Sexual Health either by email info@wsmsh.org.uk or by phone 01380 801951 and we will post a kit out to them.

Published: 12th January 2010 by Lee (updated Thu 21st Jan)