Chlamydia are you at risk?
Chlamydia and Young People
The rising rates of Chlamydia
In Australia and around the world, Chlamydia infection has been on the rise for several years. Chlamydia rates in Australia have been going steadily up by about 20% per year since 1998, when proper national statistics started being collected. We only know about the cases of Chlamydia that get diagnosed when people go to a doctor or a sexual health clinic and get tested. There are possibly hundreds, or thousands, of people with Chlamydia infection who have never been tested - if these were also discovered then the numbers would be even higher. The latest figures tell us that in 2006 there were over 40,000 cases of Chlamydia infection notified to health departments around Australia.
Young people and Chlamydia
Of those 40,000 or so Chlamydia infections notified in Australia in 2006, over 15,000 were young people aged 20 - 24 years and
over 9,000 were young people aged 15 - 19 years. These 2 age groups have had the highest numbers of Chlamydia notifications
every year. There have been more notifications of females with Chlamydia infection compared to males every year as well. This
could partly be explained by the fact that young women are more likely to get tested because they are visiting a doctor for other
reasons, such as contraception or Pap smears.
Do you love numbers?
If so, you can find out more about Chlamydia statistics at:
http://www9.health.gov.au/cda/Source/Rpt_5.cfm
Why are young people more likely to get a Chlamydia infection? One reason is that, for young women at least, their bodies are
physically more susceptible. A young woman’s cervix is microscopically different from an older woman’s cervix. The cells of a young
woman’s cervix are easier for the Chlamydia bacteria to penetrate and multiply. Another reason is that young people could be
changing partners more frequently. Young people might have more partners because they haven’t decided on a long term relationship
with one person. These differences between younger and older people aren’t true for everyone, but in general they are.
Research shows that young people who are same sex attracted are also more likely to get sexually transmitted infections, including
Chlamydia. The reasons for this are thought to be due to number and change of partners. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
young people are also at higher risk for Chlamydia infection and some other sexually transmitted infections. The main reason is
because they have less access to health care than non-Aboriginal people in Australia, so their overall health is poorer.
Using condoms is therefore extremely important for most sexually active young people. Even if young people use condoms most
of the time the number of partners multiplied by the number of occasions of unprotected sex equals a higher chance of getting or
transmitting Chlamydia.
1. What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?
In about 75% of women and up to 50% of men who have Chlamydia infection, there are no symptoms. If a person does develop symptoms, this usually happens about 1 - 3 weeks after they get infected. One of the more common symptoms is a vaginal discharge in women and a urethral discharge in men.
2. What are the consequences of a Chlamydia infection?
Left untreated, Chlamydia can result in infertility in men and women, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease and arthritis
3. How do you test for Chlamydia?
Chlamydia can be detected via a simple urine test or genital swab
4. Where can I get tested for Chlamydia?
General practitioners, Sexual health clinics, Family Planning Clinics, Youth Health Services and Aboriginal Medical Services.
5. How often should I get a test for Chlamydia?
Sexual health experts recommend that sexually active young people have a Chlamydia test about once a year even if they have no symptoms. It is a good idea to get tested at the end of an old relationship, at the start of a new relationship or after any unprotected anal or vaginal sex.
6. What happens if I test positive?
Fortunately, treating Chlamydia is very simple. Chlamydia infection, unlike some other STIs, is curable. One dose of a specific antibiotic will usually kill the Chlamydia bacteria and get rid of the infection. Treating Chlamydia infection of the cervix or urethra will prevent it from travelling further up into the reproductive system and causing more serious consequences.
Your doctor will recommend that you take some antibiotics to cure the infection. They will also advise you to avoid sexual intercourse for one week after you have finished taking the antibiotics. It is very important that you tell your sexual partner or partners. You can ask your doctor for advice about how to do this.
7. Will the health practitioner tell anybody I have Chlamydia?
Health practitioners are not allowed by law to discuss anything about your visit with anyone (including parents) without your permission. The only exception would be if you are at imminent risk of killing or seriously harming yourself or someone else. Most health practitioners will encourage you to discuss your positive test for Chlamydia with your sexual partner or partners. This is because it is important that your partner or partners are tested for Chlamydia and treated if they are positive. This will prevent them giving the infection back to you or passing it on to other partners. Your health practitioner will also probably discuss the use of condoms in the future to prevent contracting Chlamydia again.
Chlamydia is a 'notifiable infection'. This means that the laboratory that does the testing reports all positive results to the health authorities that collect statistics about infections - which helps to know what is happening with epidemics and prevention campaigns. This is used only for the purpose of statistics.
Most health practitioners are very approachable and are a great source of information about contraception, STI's and any other sexual health questions you may have. It is their job to help you and provide you with all the information you need.
8. How do you prevent the spread of Chlamydia?
Avoiding sexual contact that involves penetration or oral sex is one way. Condoms are extremely effective at preventing the transmission of Chlamydia from one sexual partner to another. Using a condom every time you have sex will help prevent Chlamydia. Being tested regularly for Chlamydia helps prevent to spread the infection.
9. How many people have Chlamydia?
In Australia and around the world, Chlamydia infection has been on the rise for several years. The latest figures tell us that in 2006 there were over 40,000 cases of Chlamydia infection notified to health departments around Australia. Of those 40,000 or so Chlamydia infections notified in Australia in 2006, over 15,000 were young people aged 20 - 24 years.
10. Is Chlamydia more common in men or women?
There have been more notifications of females with Chlamydia infection compared to males every year as well. This could partly be explained by the fact that young women are more likely to get tested because they are visiting a doctor for other reasons, such as contraception or Pap smears
'For more information, go to
www.getcluedup.com.au
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