Testing improved for most common sexual infection

The government has announced a new screening programme for chlamydia just two months after admitting that they had no idea how many people had been tested for this, the most common sexually-transmitted disease.

Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson said: 'Sexual health services suffered from under-investment over many decades by different administrations. We've already ploughed in millions of pounds to support the sexual health strategy — the first ever such action plan in this country.' Sixteen new programmes are to be rolled out with the result that one in four primary care trusts (GPs) in England will now be offering screening.

This is good news for men as well as their partners. The rate of chlamydia infection is actually increasing more quickly among men than among women. Between 2001 and 2002, the number of diagnoses increased by 16 per cent in males and 13 per cent in females. Moreover, although women under 24 remain the highest risk group, men appear at risk for a longer period. The rate of diagnoses among women falls off, in the Department of Health's words, 'dramatically' after age 24 because of changes in sexual behaviours. This is less so among men.

'The chlamydia screening programme will primarily target women under 25,' said the minister. 'This group attends health services more often than young men and suffers more from the long term consequences. However, we will also be promoting greater uptake of testing amongst men.'

Most people with chlamydia will not have any symptoms, but if left untreated it can lead to long-term health problems, including infertility in men. Screening is simple — you just provide a urine sample to your GP. Results should be available within two weeks and if the test is positive the infection will be treated with a course of antibiotics. To prevent re-infection it is important that sexual contacts are also tested and treated where necessary. You can also be tested at a special clinic.

Click for more about Chlamydia and STD testing.