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Chlamydia
| FREE QUICK SIMPLE CHLAMYDIA TESTING THIS WEEK FROM YOUR DOCTOR'S PRACTICE We recommend Chlamydia testing if you are aged between 15 and 24, have been sexually active and have never had a Chlamydia test before. We also recommend a repeat test every time you change your sexual partner. If you don't have any symptoms there is no need to see a doctor or nurse to have the test, you can collect a test kit with full instructions from our Reception desk |
| UNIVERSITY TESTING The Universities in conjunction with Leeds Centre for Sexual Health run monthly sessions where you can be tested for Chlamydia. See the bottom of this page for a link to details |
| PHARMACY SERVICES Some local pharmacies take part in a scheme that offers Chlamydia tests, emergency contraception, and pregnancy tests free to patients under 25 years of age. Click here to open a PDF information leaflet |
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK. It often causes no symptoms, and can be passed on to others without you realising. However, complications may occur if it is left untreated, and it can cause serious problems later in life if not treated. A short course of antibiotics clears the infection in most cases
How do you get chlamydia and how common is it?
It is commonly passed on when you have sex with an infected person. About
1 in 20 sexually active women in the UK are infected with chlamydia (it
is most common in women under 25). Most people are not aware they are
infected as it is routine not to have any symptoms (you can be infected
with chlamydia for months, even years, without realising it)
Women - signs and symptoms
No symptoms occur in up to 70% of cases. If symptoms do occur, they can
include: a slight increase in vaginal discharge - caused by the cervix
becoming inflamed, a need to pass urine more often/pain on passing urine,
lower abdominal pain, pain during sex, irregular menstrual bleeding, a
painful swelling and irritation in the eyes (if they are infected)
Men - signs and symptoms
No symptoms occur in up to 50% of cases. If symptoms do occur, they can
include: a discharge from the penis which may be white/cloudy and watery
and stain underwear, pain and/or a burning sensation when passing urine,
a painful swelling and irritation in the eyes (if they are infected).
Chlamydia in the rectum rarely causes symptoms
How chlamydia is passed on
Chlamydia can be transmitted by: having sex with someone who is infected,
a mother to her baby at birth, occasionally, by transferring the infection
on fingers from the genitals to the eyes
The tests for chlamydia
The test can be performed by analysis of a urine sample in males or females, but a more effective test is available for females using a self-administered vaginal swab
Diagnosis and treatment
Samples taken are sent to a laboratory for testing,
and the result is available usually within one week
If you have chlamydia a doctor or nurse will explain the infection to you and answer your questions. They will also ask you about your sexual partner(s), so that they can get a check-up and treatment if necessary
The treatment for chlamydia is simple and effective once it has been diagnosed. You will be given antibiotic tablets. If you are allergic to any antibiotics or if there is any possibility that you may be pregnant, it is important that you tell your doctor. This will affect which antibiotics you are prescribed. It is important that you finish any course of treatment. If treatment is interrupted, it may be necessary to start again from the beginning
Follow-up
It is important to return for a check-up once you have completed the treatment
to make sure you are well and have no other infection. You should not
have penetrative sex (when the penis enters the vagina, mouth or anus)
until you have returned to the surgery and been given the all-clear by
the doctor
Complications - women
If untreated, chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
This is an inflammation of the fallopian tubes (the tubes along which
an egg passes to get to the womb). PID can lead to problems with fertility.
Many cases of infertility can be traced back to infection with chlamydia.
If a woman has chlamydia when she is pregnant she risks having an ectopic
pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb) or a premature birth. The infection
can be passed on to the baby, giving it an eye or lung infection. Chlamydia
can be safely treated during pregnancy. Chlamydia can also lead to chronic
(long-term) pelvic pain
Complications - men
Complications caused by chlamydia in men are uncommon. But it may lead
to painful inflammation of the testicles, which can cause infertility
Complications - men and women
Reiters syndrome is a result of chlamydia. It causes inflammation of the
eyes and joints and sometimes a rash on the soles of the feet and genitals.
Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) can also be caused by chlamydia.
Remember, after treatment, using condoms during sex can reduce your risk
of getting or passing on sexually transmitted infections
If you are worried about Chlamydia
You should see your doctor, practice nurse, or your visit local NHS
sexual health (GUM) clinic. See our Sexually
Transmitted Infections (Centre for Sexual Health) page for a map
and contact telephone numbers
University testing
This page on the Leeds University Union web site contains details of sessions organised at both the University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University: www.luuonline.com/safe/chlamydiatesting.php
Abridged source: Health Education Authority
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