The Perils of Summer loving.

Despite the fact that it is coming into Winter here, One should never miss a chance to highlight the importance of STI screening.

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The Perils of Summer loving

With summer approaching, and a study published last week stating that women could self-test for chlamydia and then seek treatment, it is certainly timely to discuss this issue again.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium called chlamydia trachomatis.

The disease has been steadily increasing in New Zealand since the 1990s and is now a significant problem.

It has been estimated that if you are a woman below the age of 25 you have a one-in-10 chance of catching chlamydia.

The only way you can catch chlamydia is through sexual contact. The only exception is newborn babies, who can catch chlamydia by coming into contact with it in the birth canal. You cannot catch chlamydia off a toilet seat or at the swimming pool.

The big trap with chlamydia is that it has symptoms that are often fairly non-specific. It may have no symptoms at all. Symptoms can be similar to a urinary tract infection or cystitis, and there may be non-specific lower abdominal pain or a change in vaginal discharge. A considerable number of women experience "silent chlamydia" which can be very damaging.

If left untreated, chlamydia may go on to produce pain if it spreads into the fallopian tubes. The pain can be present at any time but especially during sexual intercourse.

The spread of chlamydia through the fallopian tubes can cause the tubes to become damaged and non-functioning. The woman may go on to have an ectopic pregnancy or become infertile.

Men who have chlamydia may experience a urethral discharge and can also experience occasional pain around the testicles if the tubes going to the testicles are inflamed.

Pain on passing urine can also occur, especially at the tip of the penis, but even though the pain may last only a few days the chlamydia remains present and can infect a sexual partner.

If a woman presents with symptoms, a cervical swab is needed to diagnose chlamydia.

If the patient is a man, a urine sample is all that is required.

However, new technology enables a woman to take her own vaginal swab to test for chlamydia.

There is lot to be said for asymptomatic screening. I will often suggest a chlamydia swab for women when doing a cervical smear. For men, opportunistic screening seems to be fairly uncommon, but that may need to change.

Treatment is simple and often only two tablets of an antibiotic are required. In other cases a longer course may be needed. It is totally treatable, and the sooner it is found and treated, the less likely it is that there will be long-term consequences.

When a person is identified as having chlamydia, we try hard to trace and treat those who may have been exposed. Only in this way are we able to stop the spread. Treating just the sufferer is not enough. Often it is embarrassing and difficult, but it is very important.

Prevention is relatively straightforward. If you are not in a monogamous, long-term relationship, condoms are essential. Condoms are effective in preventing the spread of chlamydia.

When a couple is in a situation when they feel that condoms are no longer required, it is often a good idea for both to have STI screening before dispensing with condoms.

Source:Stuff.co.nz