As rates of chlamydia infections continue to rise in the UK its imperative that testing for chlamydia is arranged immediately, as chlamydia testing for under 25’s can be free.
Chlamydia is now recognised as being the most commonly diagnosed STI in England, and rates are increasing year on year. The Government recognised this as a major health issue and set up in 2002 a national screening programme, available at sexual health clinics specifically for chlamydia testing. This programme is now known as NCSP, The National Chlamydia Screening Programme. It became apparent that the most at risk were18-24 year olds, particularly women. The reason for women being the higher risk was because chlamydia is a ‘silent’ infection, and 70-80% of infected women may not have any symptoms, so may potentially have serious health problems and be unaware. For men it is thought that around half, 50% will not develop symptoms. Of course any person unaware of an STI infection may unwittingly pass it onto a partner if ‘safe sex’ is not practised, this is why regular screening is recommended if there has been a change of sexual partner or if unprotected sex has occurred.
More than 45,000 new infections are diagnosed in sexual health clinics each year according to a recent report, and warns that the number of cases reported in England in the last 10 years has risen by nearly 50%. It has been estimated that as many as 10%, which is 1 in 10 young people might have a chlamydia infection. Testing for chlamydia is usually done along with other STI screening if done at a GUM clinic and can be carried out quickly and painlessly by swab or urine testing. Results can be available in a few days, and the treatment is chalmydia tablets which are antibiotics, usually azithromycin as a single dose treatment, or Doxycycline which is a longer course. Azithromycin chlamydia tablets are also available to buy on the internet from an online pharmacy such as www.chemist.net if more convenient, and a choice of home or laboratory chlamydia testing kits are also available.
However testing for chlamydia if aged over 25, should not be any more difficult as chlamydia testing can be done at GUM clinics, Sexual Health Clinics or by a GP, alongside the chlamydia testing kits available online. Buying anonymously is what online pharmacy does best, as privacy and discretion is the key to avoiding embarrassment. Taking delivery of a pack of painkillers, nasal spray or chlamydia testing kit is now no more unusual than taking delivery of a book or CD, thanks to the many online chemists here in the UK.
Wendy Atkin
18 Oxleasow Road
East Moons Moat
Redditch
B98 0RE
So the modern online pharmacy such as chemist.net, respects the privacy of the individual and offers the opportunity to take a chlamydia test and buy chlamydia tablets with discretion.
