Unnerving new analysis published at the Australasian Sexual Well being Conference 2009 has exposed alarming statistics concerning the growing difficulty of Chlamydia in Australia.

The study focused primarily on travellers, targeting much more than 430 backpackers picked at random from quite a few hostels scattered across Australia. The test subjects were made up of a roughly equal number of men and women, and men and women from the UK made up 40% of the total number of travellers.

Every single person was quizzed about their sexual activities and drinking habits and then tested for Chlamydia. The outcomes gave a clear indication of the enhance in STD’s ‘down under’.

3.9% of the female backpackers tested positive for Chlamydia, compared to three.1% of the men. Meanwhile, a further 10.1% of the females admitted to having had the illness in the past, along with 7.6% of the males. These results are far above what the national average need to be.

The Medical Director of The Northern Sydney Wellness Service Dr Davies was very concerned by the results claiming, “If you add the past proportion to the present you have an “ever” Chlamydia figure of … 10.7% for the men, and 14% for the women…This is in men and women who have an average age of 23 to 24, so it is fairly high.”

The particulars of the study shine a light on the increasing difficulty of Chlamydia in Australia. It found that not only was binge drinking a severe difficulty, with 33% of men and 28% of females regularly drinking twice the recommended intake of alcohol, but also that the sexual way of life of the test subjects was also having a negative impact.

During their interviews 31% of men claimed to have had a sexual encounter en route to Australia, with 60% of these encounters happening without a condom. When in Australia the majority found new sexual partners (64% of men and 53% of girls) with men having on average 2.8 sexual partners each and every 3 months and ladies having just fewer than two.

Chlamydia is a real problem across the world, but it has turn into particularly severe in Australia with more than 58,400 situations in 2008 alone. There have even been instances of animals becoming infected, most famously Sam the Koala who was rescued from the bushfires last February but has given that died due to complications bought on by Chlamydia.

Chlamydia, commonly referred to as ‘the clap’, is an STI caused by a tiny bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. It can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and can be passed from an infected mother to her baby in the course of childbirth. The few symptoms of the virus in girls incorporate cystitis, change in vaginal discharge and mild lower abdominal discomfort. Regrettably these are all synonymous with menstrual side effects therefore explaining why the virus is often considered symptomless.

Chlamydia is not fatal in humans but left untreated it can have far reaching consequences. Although there are no visible symptoms it can trigger infertility in females. Chlamydia has been recognized as the ‘silent epidemic’ since 70% of ladies and 50% of men expertise no warning signals or visible signs.

The most recent Australian study will add fervor to the STD Screening drive, which has already had a enormous level of success in the UK. The efforts of the screening service has produced some of the most promising figures in the country with 35,745 people being tested in 2008 alone. One of the biggest successes this year in encouraging young people to get tested was at Newcastle’s Evolution Festival. In a two-day period much more than 2000 of the target group were tested.

The development of successful property testing kits has revolutionised the sexual well being screening industry. The test for Chlamydia is fast, simple, and confidential. Simply take 10 minutes out of your day to take the test. 1 urine sample shows if you have got Chlamydia and it can be simply treated with antibiotics. House testing kits are now accessible over the counter and in all STI clinics where one can also be treated for any other common STI such as gonorrhoea or genital warts.

Producing these tests widely and quickly obtainable is removing the stigma of embarrassment from the process and encouraging much more young folks to take action and shield themselves from both contracting and spreading STDs. Ideally all sexually active young individuals should have a Chlamydia test each and every year, or when they change sexual partners.