Chlamydia (Kla-Mid-Dee-Ah)

Chlamydia (Kla-Mid-Dee-Ah) is the commonest and curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK.

The most important thing to know about Chlamydia is that any one who is having sex is vulnerable. You only need to have unprotected sex with one person who has the infection to catch it; but of course, the more partners you have, the more likely you are to be infected. During 2001, there were more than 71,000 new reported cases, the highest level ever and a 10 % rise from 2000.

According to Public Health laboratory Service figures it is estimated that one in ten under 25 year olds now have the infection.

If you are over 25 and have had two partners within a year, or recently changed partners your risk increases.

One of the most alarming problems with Chlamydia is that it is asymptomatic; that is to say most people don