Chlamydia testing promotes health and responsibility

17/05/2010

37 students were tested for Chlamydia throughout the course of the day

Students at the Haywards Heath campus had another opportunity to receive screening for Chlamydia on Tuesday 11 May. Liz Smith-Hutton, the specialist nurse from Western Sussex Hospitals Trust, who runs the free sexual health clinic at the campus every Friday offered free and totally confidential tests to students.

Frequent screening plays an essential role in preventing the spread of the sexually transmitted infection among young people. As a matter of fact - due to lack of any noticeable symptoms - Chlamydia often remains undiagnosed causing serious health problems, including infertility. Once diagnosed, Chlamydia is one of the easiest STIs to treat, and can be effectively treated with a course of antibiotics.

A large number of students visited the stall to request information and almost 40 were tested for Chlamydia. Liz was very pleased with the students for their participation and with the Welfare Team for supporting and organising the event, all of whom received extra special gifts: sperm key rings and glow in the dark condoms!