While
there are clear indications that the number of chlamydia
infections in Australia is rising, undiagnosed chlamydia
is a topic of much concern for sexual health experts.
Calls for a national screening program have been made.
Despite strenuous and consistent efforts in prevention
and education, STIs remain a public health problem in
Australia.
The numbers of chlamydia cases reported to Defence Health
Services are approximately 100 per year but many more
may go unreported as personnel often go outside of the
ADF system for treatment.
The extent of undiagnosed chlamydia circulating in ADF
personnel remains to be determined. While these figures
appear to be relatively low they indicate that some ADF
members continue with unsafe practices.
What
is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a bacteria that causes a STI similar to,
but often more serious and common than, gonorrhoea. It
can infect both men and women.
Chlamydia
in women
In women, chlamydia can infect the cervix (the passage
from the vagina into the uterus or womb) causing ‘cervicitis’.
Symptoms can include abnormal vaginal discharge, abnormal
vaginal bleeding and painful intercourse, though many
women get no symptoms at all.
Chlamydia can also infect the urethra (passage from the
bladder through which urine passes) in women. This may
cause painful urination as well as frequency.
The infection can spread up into the uterus and fallopian
tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). A woman
with PID may have abdominal pain and fever and feel very
unwell, or she may have very mild symptoms or no symptoms
at all.
PID can damage or block the fallopian tubes and cause
infertility, ectopic (tubal) pregnancy or chronic pain.
Chlamydia can live in a woman’s cervix, undetected,
for many months. Infection can flare up at any time in
the future.
Chlamydia can pass from the cervix to a baby at birth,
and cause eye and ear infections and pneumonia.
Chlamydia
in men
In
men, chlamydia can infect the urethra (the tube along
which urine and semen passes through the penis). This
infection is called ‘non specific’ or ‘nongonococcal
urethritis’ (NSU or NGU).
Symptoms include pain when passing urine and a discharge
from the penis, though some men get no symptoms at all.
The infection can spread to the prostate and epididymis
(sperm-carrying tubes) and may cause chronic pain and
fertility problems.
How
you catch chlamydia
Chlamydia is passed on by having oral, anal or vaginal
sex with someone who carries the infection. It can also
be transmitted from the genital area to the eyes, causing
conjunctivitis.
The bacteria cannot live outside the body so you can’t
catch it from toilets, swimming pools, spas or normal
social contact with people. You can reduce the chance
of catching chlamydia and other STIs by using condoms.
How
do you find out if you have it
Chlamydia
is often symptomless and will not be picked up during
routine health checks or by your two-yearly Pap smears.
If you suspect you have been exposed to this infection,
ask your doctor for a chlamydia swab. This is a simple
test and only takes a few minutes.
Chlamydia can also be detected by urine tests in both
men and women. Chlamydia commonly occurs together with
other STIs, and tests for these should be done at the
same time.
Treatment
Chlamydial
infection is treated with antibiotics taken by mouth,
or in severe cases by intravenous injection in hospital.
The full course of treatment must be completed. Your sexual
partners should be checked and treated as well. It is
important to avoid intercourse during treatment and for
seven days after the end of treatment. You will need to
have a re-test in three months.
Re-infection can occur if partners are not treated. The
diagnosis of an STI provides an ideal opportunity for
counselling patients about their risky sexual behaviour
and encouraging safe sex. This can include specific advice
on how to use condoms and how to negotiate condom use
with partners.
When
you should be tested
You
should have a chlamydia test if:
