Okay. Fellas, ladies, lizard people: you / we might have a chlamydia infection.
The 2016 Australian Annual Surveillance report was released by the Kirby Institute this morning, and it turns out that a whopping 72% of chlamydia infections among young people are going undiagnosed.
The report found that by the end of last year, only 28% of the 250k+ new cases of chlamydia among 15 to 29-year-olds were diagnosed, meaning a lot of us may be walking around with funky-feeling junk.
In ~positive~ news (pun entirely intended), testing for chlamydia has actually doubled in the past eight years.
Researchers concluded that an increase in chlamydia was linked with increased testing, but remained concerned at the three quarters of cases going undiagnosed. The report said the data on STIs highlighted the need to focus on regular testing and treatment.
Chlamydia symptoms in women:
- Abnormal vaginal discharge that may have no odor
- Bleeding between periods
- Painful periods
- Abdominal pain with fever
- Pain when having sex
- Itching or burning in or around the vagina
- Pain when urinating
Chlamydia symptoms in men:
- Small amounts of clear or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis
- Painful urination
- Burning and itching around the opening of the penis
- Pain and swelling around the testicles