'It' Is Invisible, 'It' Is Serious & 'It' Is Easily Spread

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'It' is chlamydia and 'it' is a big problem for teenagers

In the run up to Valentine’s Day and to mark the launch of the Department of Health’s campaign, Chlamydia, worth talking about, NHS Wandsworth’s outreach team will be out and about across the borough to promote the Chlamydia screening programme and offer testing to 15 to 24 year olds.  We are also launching a texting service in Wandsworth so young people can easily text us for a free Chlamydia testing kit.   

Houda Al-Sharifi, Director of Public Health said:
“Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK. You don’t need to have had lots of sexual partners to be at risk.  We are using every method we can to reach young people and encourage them to take the test.” 

Most people who have it will have no symptoms, so unless you get tested you will probably not know anything is wrong.  The test for Chlamydia is simple – just one quick and easy test that you can do yourself. You do NOT need to be examined, you just pee in a pot!  Testing is free and confidential. If you have Chlamydia, the good news is that it is easily treated with a course of antibiotics.

To find out where to go for testing or to order a free testing kit online go to www.checkurself.org.uk .  Alternatively you can text ‘kit’ to 07786 202 254 (normal text rates apply) for a free kit sent to your home. 

February 3, 2010