One of our friends has asked that we report that they have Chlamydia anonymously.

In the last week, one of our friends (a couple) have advised us that they have been tested positive for Chlamydia and asked that we advise people in Tasmania. This couple is, and has been, very sexually active with other people in Tasmania. They caught Chlamydia from someone and may have passed on Chlamydia to others. They have no idea when this could have occurred as this was their first test for Sexually Transmitted Diseases for many years. They have been tested and treated so now they are safe - what about you?

To ensure that we provide accurate information, we have revisited the Sexual Health Service Tasmania and had another discussion about Chlamydia and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases - STDs (or in their terms Sexually Transmitted Infections -  STIs).

Here are some questions and answers given.

Q   What is Chlamydia?

A    Chlamydia is a bacterial infection

Q   How can you catch Chlamydia?

A    Vaginal, Anal or Oral sex. Chlamydia is very infectious and very easy to catch.

Q   What does it do?

A    Many people have no symptoms but it can cause you to be more susceptible to other STIs. It can increase the risk of cervical cancer and can cause inflammation in the genital areas in both males and females. It can cause abdominal pain, discharge from the vagina or penis and cause bleeding in women between periods.

Q   How long does it last?

A    It will remain in your body until it is treated. People can have Chlamydia for many years and not know.

Q   How can you find out if you have Chlamydia ?

A    Testing is the only way. Mostly a urine sample is taken but it can be tested for using a swab.

Q   What is the treatment?

A    A special antibiotic - just 2 tablets taken at once. This antibiotic is proven to be extremely effective in treating Chlamydia.

Q   If someone has taken a course of other antibiotics would this get rid of Chlamydia?

A   No.

Q   If someone donates blood is the blood tested for Chlamydia?

A    No. Red Cross test for HIV, Hepatitis, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis but do not test for Genital Herpes, Genital Warts, HPV, Chlamydia, Thrush or Bacterial Vaginosis.

Q   What is the prevalence of Chlamydia in the swinging community?

A    Swingers are at high risk of catching Chlamydia. People often have no idea that they have Chlamydia and many swingers do not get tested for STIs. In Tasmania Chlamydia is the most common STI. Many swingers enjoy unprotected sex and think they are at low risk because they only have sex with other couples. This is a bit of a myth. Unless people have been tested and only have sex with other people who have been tested, there is a high risk of transmission of Chlamydia.

Q   Will protected sex prevent Chlamydia?

A    Wearing condoms will reduce the risk but Chlamydia can be transmitted through oral sex so unless a mouth dam is used there will still be a risk. Chlamydia is passed on very easily.

Q   Can Chlamydia be transmitted through female/female sex?

A    Yes

Q   What should I do ?

A   GET TESTED and get treated if necessary. Keep yourself and your friends safe. Testing and treatment will reduce the incidence of Chlamydia and other STIs which will reduce the risk for everyone.

Q   Can I ask my normal doctor for a test ?

A   Yes. The Sexual Health Service Tasmania recommend that you go to them though. They are not only specialists in Sexually Transmitted Infections but also very good at having discussions about sex, sexual lifestyles, safe sex and risks. They provide testing, advice and treatment for free. All testing is done on site and samples are sent for testing using just your code number - not your name. Testing done through a normal pathology group will have your name attached.

Q  How often should I get tested?

A   If you are sexually active with other people then you should get tested every 6 to 10 weeks. It can take 6 weeks for some STIs to show up in tests after transmission of the infection.

What do you do now ?

GET TESTED - and get treated if necessary

What is Tassieswingers doing ?

1.  We are promoting sexual health testing. Links to the Sexual Health Service Tasmania website and their Fact Sheets are built into this article and are available in the links section of the website

2.  We are continuing to liaise with the Sexual Health Service Tasmania (SHST) so that we can provide accurate and factual information

3.  The SHST provide a "I Have Been Tested" card with the date of the test and the tests done to sex workers who get tested. We hope to make available a similar card to swingers who would like to do that. What do you think about such a card ?

4.  We are trying to influence people to discuss their sexual health more openly which for us personally was quite a big step. For people who have been in a monogamous relationship for many years it is not something that we have thought applied to us. Now it is!!!