Chlamydia. The sex taboo of the century. It’s the most common STI in the world, but if it’s so common why doesn’t anyone talk about it? I was shocked to discover that out of 9 of my friends, I was the only one that knew anything about the most common sexually transmitted infection. Max Reynolds a student at Canterbury Christ Church university said “I just don't hear about it or what actually happens to you when you get it”.
1 in 10 men and women under 25 in the UK have it. It’s known as the ‘silent’ infection because 75% of women and 50% of men don’t have any symptoms. If there aren’t any symptoms why should you get checked? Well it can cause a number of health problems if not treated. The infection can spread to other parts of the body and cause pain, mainly in the abdomen and it can also stop you from having children. Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis, which is found in semen and vaginal fluids. You don’t have to have sex to catch Chlamydia; you can pass it on just like any other infection through oral and anal sex. You can also catch it in your eye, this is called Chlamydial conjunctivitis. If you are one of the unfortunate ones to have funny things going on down there visit www.nhs.uk/chlamydia
The test
I can understand why people wouldn’t want to take a test because it sounds intrusive and embarrassing but when I asked my local doctor he explained to me that there is no examination of your bits down there, it’s basically a DIY test. You can go to your doctors or get the test sent through the post to your house. I was curious about the home tests kits so decided to order one myself. It didn’t take me long to find a number of websites that advertised free home test kits through a Google search. I decided to use an NHS website that my local doctor had advised me to use. www.iwantatest.nhs.uk On the webpage I found the form straight away towards the bottom of the page, there was no searching for it which made my life easier. I filled in the form which took me about 7 minutes. I then waited for the package to arrive in the post. Three days later a white envelope was posted through my door, nothing that looked like a Chlamydia test kit, which made me feel more comfortable about it. Included in the package was a swab in a plastic container, instruction on how to take the test and how to fill in the form, a specimen form, a self addressed envelope and a leaflet on Chlamydia. I followed the instruction, took the test and sent it back in the envelope provided, requesting they contact me via mobile phone.
About seven days later I received a text saying ‘Lydia says all clear’ which was the text I was told I would receive if my test results were negative. With the option to receive results through a text, I felt a lot more confident and not embarrassed taking the test. For men, the test is just as easy and is possibly easier, using just a urine sample to test for it. Instuctions and a container is included in the male version of the home test kit.
In January 2010 the NHS launched its newest ‘Worth talking about’ campaign to raise more peoples awareness of Chlamydia testing. The campaign has included a new TV advert and magazine adverts. This will hopefully provide more information and encourage more people to get tested. Having Chlamydia isn’t a big deal if you know you have it and you get it treated. The treatment is just a simple course of antibiotics and no sex for a week.
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