Matte Stories & PSA
Matte Stories
In the shadow of the AIDS pandemic, chlamydia makes a comeback
It’s been 25 years since the first case of AIDS was diagnosed, and for the past quarter century HIV and AIDS has been the focus of much discussion about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). But in the shadow of this pandemic, Canada and other western countries are experiencing a resurgence of some of the “forgotten” STIs – syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia – a resurgence that could signal a coming wave of infertility and other long-term health consequences for Canadian women.
What do these rising rates mean?
Of these infections, the rising chlamydia rate may be the most alarming. That’s because chlamydia, much like HIV, is often a silent disease. Most infected people will have absolutely no symptoms (or very mild symptoms) and can carry the infection for years without knowing it. However, during this time women can still develop serious long-term health consequences including infertility, chronic pelvic pain and ectopic pregnancy, which can be a life-threatening medical emergency. For men, long-term infection can also cause serious health problems, but, like many STIs, chlamydia poses disproportionately more health risks for women.
The Bad News
What is truly alarming about the rising number of reported chlamydia cases – which rose 74 percent from 1997 to 2004 – is that these cases only represent a fraction of the people that are actually infected. Because more than half of all cases of chlamydia will have no symptoms, or will only be treated after long-term symptoms appear, these rising rates suggest that many more cases exist and are going completely untreated. Without testing or treatment, many of these cases will lead to sterility and even higher rates of infection. For those that do have symptoms, chlamydia infection can cause pain, burning, itching, and vaginal bleeding (between periods or after intercourse) and discharge, among other symptoms.
The Good News
The good news is that chlamydia is easy to cure, typically with just one dose of antibiotics. Though the standard test for chlamydia still involves a swabbing of the urethra or vagina and cervix, a newer urine test may also be available in some cases.
What Can be Done?
The best way to prevent chlamydia is to use condoms, each and every time you have sex. It’s also very important to get tested for STIs, and to understand that regular pelvic exams and pap smears do not test for chlamydia or any other STI. Blood tests also will not detect chlamydia infection.
Testing is beneficial for all sexually active people, but particularly for those who have unprotected sex, those with multiple sexual partners (or in a relationship with someone who has had many sexual partners), and for anyone who has ever been diagnosed with an STI. Remember, it’s important to consider testing even if you have no symptoms. If you test positive for chlamydia, your partner(s) should also be tested and/or treated, and you shouldn’t have sex again until you are both fully cured.
Last Modified: October 1, 2008
