How can you tell if you've got chlamydia

asks Sander

A. Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) is a sexually transmitted infection that can damage fertility in men and women. Recent estimates show that nearly one in ten sexually active young women are likely to have it.

It is known as the 'silent disease' because it rarely produces symptoms and often goes undiagnosed.

Q. If you get symptoms, what are they
A. Any symptoms appear between one and three weeks after you've been infected.

• Men may experience a stinging feeling when they pee, or they may have an itchy penis with some discharge. Their testicles may also be swollen and tender.
• Women may feel some stinging when they pee and may have an unusual vaginal discharge. There may also be pain in the lower abdomen, and pain during sex.

Q. Is chlamydia dangerous
A. Yes, if it isn't treated. Women can develop pelvic inflammatory disease that can seriously damage the reproductive system and lead to an ectopic pregnancy (this is where the fertilised egg becomes lodged outside the womb, damaging the Fallopian tubes).

Chlamydia can also infect the urethra and the rectum, and can cause eye infections (this shouldn't be confused with another type of chlamydia, a tropical disease causing blindness, which is not sexually transmitted).

Q. How common is chlamydia
A. It's estimated that nine per cent of sexually active British women under the age of 25 are infected.

Q. Can it only be transmitted sexually
A. No, mothers with chlamydia can pass it on to their babies during childbirth. Babies don't usually show symptoms until they're a week or two old, and may develop pneumonia.

Q. How do you test for chlamydia
A. Your GP will take a sample with a swab ( from the cervix or penis) which will be sent away for analysis. Some GPs prefer you to have this done at specialist genito-urinary clinic.

Q. Why
A. It's important that it's done properly and treatment started quickly. Also, the symptoms are similar to gonorrhoea, so an accurate diagnosis is vital.

Q. How is chlamydia treated
A. With antibiotics. Your partner will need to be treated, too. And some clinic advise being retested a few weeks later.

Q. Does wearing a condom protect against chlamydia
A. It helps, but it's not a complete protection.

Q. If you've been treated for it once, can you catch it again
A. Yes. And the more sexual partners you have, the more likely you are to catch it.

Q. How come I never hear about the dangers of chlamydia
A. You will. The Government plans to run a TV and newspaper advertising campaign warning of the risks of AIDS, chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases. Soon women who go to family planning clinics or have a cervical smear test will be offered chlamydia screening.

And a new urine test for chlamydia has been developed. Dr Mike Catchpole, head of the Public Health Laboratory Service chlamydia programme, said that the new urine tests could be done at more convenient times, and were at least 90% accurate.

Do you have a question for Body & Soul Post it here

by Sheena Miller