All you need to know... -What is Chlamydia? - The Screening Programme - Screening sites in   Bedfordshire - Results - Treatment - Confidentiality - Prevention

What is Chlamydia? About 1 in 10 sexually active young people tested have Chlamydia, yet most people who have Chlamydia have no signs or symptoms and won’t know they have got it. This is why Chlamydia is often called the Silent Infection. Chlamydia is the UK’s most common curable sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by bacteria and is easily passed on through unprotected anal, oral or vaginal sex with an infected person. It can also be transmitted on fingers from one person to another during sex and from a mother to her baby during birth.

In Women Chlamydia can spread to other reproductive organs causing pelvic inflammatory disease (inflammation of the reproductive area). This can lead to long-term pelvic pain, blocked fallopian tubes - which can cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb). Chlamydia may be linked to early miscarriage or premature birth of the baby. It can be passed to the baby during the birth and (less commonly) before the baby is born. This can cause inflammation and discharge from the baby’s eye and pneumonia.

In Men Chlamydia can lead to a painful infection in the testicles and infertility. It is thought that in some men it might cause the prostate to become inflamed. In Men and Women Inflammation or swelling of the joints can occur. This is sometimes be accompanied by inflammation of the urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside of the body) and the eye, when it is known as Reiter’s syndrome. This is rare and occurs more in men than in women.

	The Screening Programme The Bedfordshire Chlamydia Screening Programme was launched in October 2004 to establish how many young people unknowingly have Chlamydia and offer treatment if needed. The screening programme has been specifically developed for sexually active under 25 year olds. It is important for all sexually active under 25s to take up an offer of a free Chlamydia screen – even if you have no signs or symptoms.

Screening Sites in Bedfordshire You can be screened free at a number of sites across Bedfordshire or pick up a free home test kit from participating pharmacies, or log onto www.under-cover.org.uk for information on all sites and to order a free home test kit. You will be asked to complete a form and provide a quick urine sample. You will be asked to give your preferred method of contact so that we will be able to let you know about the result. It does not have to be your home details. Most young people prefer to give a mobile number. The Result The result should be available within 2 weeks. You will be contacted by the method you said you preferred.

Treatment If you test positive for Chlamydia you will be contacted with your result and offered free antibiotics. You will need to take all the tablets you are given. To avoid being re-infected it is important that your partner is also seen and treated. With your permission, all sexual partners will be traced and offered treatment – contact cards will be sent to them anonymously.	Confidentiality Confidentiality applies to all sexual health services. This means that no information about you will be disclosed to anyone without your prior consent- this includes GP’s, parents, partners and friends. Prevention Using a Condom or Femidom correctly and consistently can help protect against Chlamydia, other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Pregnancy and HIV/AIDS.

Click on the logo below for information on other common Sexually Transmitted Infections and where you can access free condoms in Bedfordshire.