Treatments and tests for embarrassing conditions

by Cohens Chemists

• What is chlamydia?
  Chlamydia infection is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) caused by bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis, and is the most common bacterial STI in the UK.

  The number of people with chlamydia in the UK has risen steadily since the mid-1990s.

  Chlamydia is often called the 'silent epidemic' as most people don't know they have it because typically there are no symptoms. It can stay undetected for months or years, and left untreated the infection can spread and cause serious long-term problems that can affect fertility and sexual health in both men and women.

• Who is at risk of catching chlamydia?
  Anyone who has sex can get chlamydia. The people most at risk are those having unprotected sex (i.e. not using condoms) and especially those with more than one sexual partner or who often change sexual partners.

  Infection is most common in young people; especially men and women under 25 years old. Babies born to infected women can get chlamydia during birth.

• How can I catch chlamydia?
  Chlamydia is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). It is caught through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, or genital contact with someone else who is infected. Sharing sex-toys can also pass on the infection.

  An infected person will usually have no signs or symptoms of the infection; however, infected people can still infect anyone they have sex with.

  Chlamydia cannot be caught by casual contact (e.g. toilet seats, swimming pools, saunas, etc.).

  Pregnant women can pass infection to infants during birth.

  Even if you have been treated for chlamydia you can still be re-infected with it in the future.

  Using the contraceptive pill does not prevent chlamydia or any other STIs.

• How can I prevent being infected with chlamydia?
  Chlamydia is passed on through sex, with a higher risk of infection through unprotected sex. This includes vaginal, anal, oral sex and using sex-toys.

  The best way to protect yourself is to use barrier protection (i.e. condoms) every time you have sex. As for protection against pregnancy or any other Sexually Transmitted Infection, using condoms correctly is important.

  If you do have an accident with a condom, such as it becoming torn or ripped, it is important that you get yourself checked out as soon as possible.

• How do you know that you have been infected with chlamydia?
  At least 50% of infected men and 70% of infected women don’t have any symptoms; many people are unaware of whether they have chlamydia or not.

  You can carry the infection without having any symptoms and still be able to pass it on to anyone you have sex with while you are infected.

  Of those with symptoms of chlamydia, women may experience some unusual vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods, pain when passing urine and stomach pain below the belly-button. Men may experience a discharge from the penis, burning and itching, and pain when passing urine.

  Symptoms can persist, but in some cases they may only last for a few days then disappear.

  If any symptoms do occur, they start one to three weeks after becoming infected.

  The only way to be sure if you have chlamydia or not is to have a test.

  If you have any of these symptoms, or any others which make you think you may have a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), make an appointment to see your GP or visit a clinic that specialises in treating STIs. Details of these clinics can be found by contacting us, from the telephone book, from your local hospital, or from the STI clinic directory on the website of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (www.bashh.org).

  Clinics are confidential and will not inform GPs of any results, unless specifically requested to do so. You can attend one of these clinics at any age (even if you are under the age of consent to sex which is 16).

• How serious is chlamydia?
  If left untreated, chlamydia infections can cause serious health problems.

  In women, untreated infection can cause long-term pain and lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

  An infected pregnant woman who does not receive antibiotic treatment prior to delivery, can also pass the bacteria on to her baby causing it to be born with conjunctivitis (inflammation of the lining of the eye) or pneumonia caused by chlamydia. However, both are treatable.

  In men, severe problems are rarer than in women, but can include epididymitis (pain and swelling around the testicles) and Reiter's Syndrome (arthritis).

• What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?
  PID affects the womb, ovaries and fallopian tubes and is caused by the chlamydia infection spreading.

  Chlamydia is a common cause of PID and the risk of PID increases with the number of times you catch chlamydia.

• What are the complications of PID?
  Up to one in five women who develop PID will become infertile and the risk of ectopic pregnancy greatly increases. The risk of infertility will increase if a woman has more than one episode of PID. The consequences of PID are not easily treatable and can have lifelong implications.
• Are there any age restrictions for testing or treatment?
  We are unable to supply tests or treatment to (or for) those under the age of 16 years old. You should visit a clinic that specialises in treating Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Details of these clinics can be found by contacting us, from the telephone book, from your local hospital, or from the STI clinic directory on the website of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (www.bashh.org). Clinics are confidential and will not inform GPs of any results, unless specifically requested to do so. You can attend one of these clinics at any age (even if you are under the age of consent for sex which is 16).
• How is chlamydia treated?
  Once diagnosed, uncomplicated chlamydia infection is easy to treat and cure. Azithromycin (Clamelle) is currently the most common treatment and is available here on this website. Alternatively you can get treatment from the NHS by visiting your local clinic which deals with Sexually Transmitted Infections. Recent sexual partners (within the last six months) should be treated to prevent re-infection and further spread of disease. Partner Notification Card(s) can be downloaded from this site for you to give, or send, to partners to help with telling them and encouraging them to get treatment.
• What is the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP)?
  The NCSP in England aims to detect chlamydia infection among young sexually active women and men between the ages of 16 and 24, and reduce the burden of disease (PID, ectopic pregnancy and infertility) caused by chlamydia. See www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk for more information.
• Are the test results confidential?
  Yes, the results of the Clamelle Chlamydia Test are completely confidential and will not be passed onto your GP unless you request this. We do not know directly the result of any test you purchase from us, but if you have a positive result and require treatment, we will use your Unique Reference Number (URN) to confirm that you are entitled to buy treatment from us.
• What is the test for chlamydia?
  Testing for chlamydia is by a Nucleic Acid Amplification Technique (NAAT) test, such as the Clamelle Chlamydia Test Kit. The kit contains, among other things, a specimen container for a urine sample which is sent off to the laboratory for analysis. The Clamelle Chlamydia Test Kit is available to buy from this site here.
• When should I get tested for chlamydia?
  You should get tested, whatever your age or sex, and particularly if: • you are considering starting a family and want to check you have no chlamydia infection that could affect your fertility or be passed onto your baby during birth • you've had unprotected sex and are worried you may have chlamydia • you change your sexual partner
• Where can I get tested for chlamydia?
  You can purchase a test kit on this website here. If you prefer to get a test free on the NHS, you will need to visit a Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic, community sexual health clinic, or your GP (see www.bashh.org). If you are under 25 years old you can visit a National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) location (see www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk).
• How long does it take to get the results of the test?
  You will be sent the result by post, within seven days of sending the sample.
• What should I do if the test results are positive?
  If you have bought a test and the result is positive, don`t worry. You can be treated quickly with antibiotics. Just go to the treatment area of this website and we’ll check the treatment we offer is suitable for you. In some cases we may refer you to a specialist NHS clinic or to your GP. If you have confirmed chlamydia you should also be tested for other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), which may also be present without symptoms. Most testing for sexual infections is done in STI clinics (also called Genito-Urinary Medicine or GUM clinics) which have specialist facilities for testing and systems for contacting, testing and treating sexual partners. Details of these clinics can be found by contacting us, from the telephone book, your local hospital, or from the STI clinic directory on the website of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (www.bashh.org). Clinics are confidential and will not inform GPs of any results, unless specifically requested to do so. You can attend one of these clinics at any age (even if you are under the age of consent for sex which is 16).
• What should I do if the test results are negative?
  If your test is negative, it means you don't have chlamydia. However, if you believe you were at risk of getting chlamydia, you will be more likely to have other Sexually Transmitted Infections and so you should get yourself tested at a clinic, just in case.
• What if the test results are neither positive nor negative?
  If the result of your test is unclear and is recorded as neither positive or negative, the test should be repeated. Contact us and we will provide another test free of charge.
• Should my partner be tested as well?
  If you have tested positive for chlamydia, it is likely that anyone you have sex with regularly will have it too. It is important that any people you have recently had sex with are also treated, to stop them re-infecting you, passing on the infection or having problems in the future. If you have tested positive for chlamydia, your partner(s) can use your URN to purchase treatment from us (if suitable) without needing to buy a test. Some partners may also choose to be tested.
• What should I do if I have received a 'Clamelle' or 'Treat Discreet' Partner Notification Card?
  You can buy treatment on this website here (if the treatment is suitable for you). Alternatively, you can take the card to your local NHS Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic where treatment is free or to your GP where you may need to pay an NHS prescription charge.
• Can I take azithromycin (Clamelle) with other medicines?
  Azithromycin (or Clamelle) does not work properly if taken at the same time as antacids (indigestion treatments). Please tell us if you are taking anything for this. If you do take antacids you should take azithromycin at least one hour before, or two hours after the antacid. If you take the oral contraceptive pill and you experience vomiting or diarrhoea, you will need to take extra precautions after taking azithromycin. Ask your pharmacist or GP about this and read your 'pill' patient information leaflet carefully.
• Can I take Clamelle tablets with the pill?
  Yes, but if you are taking the oral contraceptive pill and you experience vomiting or diarrhoea, you will need to take extra precautions after taking Clamelle Tablets. Ask your pharmacist about this and read the pill patient information leaflet carefully.