Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in Britain, and is spreading rapidly amongst young people. In 2001, 1% of the 16 to 19 year female population seen at clinics in England, Wales and Northern Ireland was diagnosed with chlamydial infection. Public health staff believe the rise in diagnoses, particularly among young people, is indicative of ignorance about the diseases and of the need for safe sex.
Most people who have chlamydia don't know they've got it and both men and women can get it. If untreated it can have serious affects. For women it may cause problems later in life or lead to problems in pregnancy as 10-30% of infected women go on to develop pelvis inflammatory disease (PID). However, chlamydia is easily curable but it will not go away by itself. A short course of antibiotics will clear up an infection. Using a condom can help prevent infection.
If you're between the ages of 16 and 24 testing may be free in your area. It's best to get a Chlamydia test every 12 months (or every time you change partner). Find out more at: http://freetest.me.uk/
For more details about chlamydia, watch this short film:
NSU (non-specific urethritis)
Chlamydia if untreated can lead to another condition known as NSU (non-specific urethritis) which is a painful swelling of the urethra (a tube that takes urine from the bladder to outside the body.)
Some cases of NSU are not caused by chlamydia and the cause is unknown but if left untreated it can cause serious complications.
Gonorrhoea
Statistics from the public health laboratory service also reveal that the incidence of gonorrhoea rose by 25 per cent in England in 1999. There has since been a further 7% rise from 2000, to 2001. The disease is particularly prevalent among heterosexual men. New figures show that 40% of females who have gonorrhoea are under the age of 20.
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