is on the increase not only in Bermuda, but also worldwide.

While many people have heard of diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhoea and herpes, few are as familiar with the name chlamydia.

Chlamydia is caused by a bacteria, Chlamydia Trachomatis -- first identified in the 1970s and now recognised as one of the main causes of non-gonococcal urethritis in men.

While there have been no local studies to indicate the prevalence of chlamydial infections in Bermuda, in the United Kingdom the incidence of chlamydia has doubled within the last 10 years; in the US it is estimated that 50 percent of reported cases of NGU in men are caused by chlamydia.

And since Bermuda mirrors the disease trends in the US, it would therefore be safe to assume that the same is true of the population here.

The increase in positive results seen in this clinic area is also due to the inclusion of the chlamydia test for all clients as part of the routine screening process for STDs.

The need for this change was as a result of the recognition that the majority of clients diagnosed with a chlamydial infection have no signs or symptoms of disease, or, may be having treatment for gonorrhoea, since STDs do not always travel singly! Chlamydia is very much a silent disease. Traditionally, when we refer to infections which are sexually transmitted, we talk about signs and symptoms.

These may include any number of the following:- A yellow or clear discharge from the vagina or urethra Pain or burning on passing urine A frequent need to pass urine Pain during intercourse None of these may occur with chlamydia, or if they do, they are minor, very vague symptoms which a person might ignore if they appear to resolve quickly.

If they do become severe, it may be weeks or months after the initial contact when the germ first entered the body.

This, of course, explains why there has been such an increase in the spread of this infection. Naturally, this gives the infection a chance to spread to other parts of the body resulting in more severe complications.

In women, pelvic inflammatory disease, involving the uterus (or womb), fallopian tubes, and ovaries, possibly resulting in scarring or blocking of the tubes, leading to sterility or ectopic pregnancy (sometimes known as tubal pregnancy).

A pregnant woman with chlamydia is more at risk for early onset of labour, and can also spread the infection to the baby during birth. Frequently this results in an eye infection which can be treated fairly easily, but may result in more serious problems for the infant such as pneumonia.

In men, inflammation of the testes, and prostate gland can lead to sterility.

The complications of chlamydia in both men and women may be accompanied by severe pain in the genital area or lower abdomen.

Chlamydia is both treatable and curable with antibiotics. Success as with any STD is based on several important factors:- Early diagnosis and treatment Compliance when taking medication, i.e.

following the instructions printed on the label Ensuring that all sexual contacts are not only screened for infections, but automatically treated, as recommended in the guidelines set out by the centre for disease control in the US Last but not least by having no sexual intercourse even with a condom until the test is repeated, approximately two weeks after completion of medication for maximum accuracy.

In conclusion, reducing the risk of coming in contact with a sexual transmitted infection by following safer sex guidelines, is preferable to having to undergo testing and treatment for any sexual disease.

Information about chlamydia and other STDs is obtainable through the communicable disease clinic services at the Health Department.

BERMUDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HEALTH HTH