Chlamydia Test Introduced by Preventx

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK. It often causes no symptoms, and can be passed on to others without knowing. However, complications may occur if it is left untreated, including problems in pregnancy and infertility in both men and women.

The Preventx kits are 98% accurate and a user can receive the result within 10 minutes of taking it. Over the past few years, more publicity has been given to the infection and its consequences, but while other Western European countries are seeing Chlamydia cases decrease, the UK’s is rising.

Research by the Health Protection Agency found that in the UK, Chlamydia cases have rose by 8% (95,879 to 103,932), between 2003 and 2004, a rise of 6% in females and 12% in males.

Chlamydia is most prevalent among teenagers. Nearly 75% of all new cases occur in women under the age of 25. By age 30, 50% of sexually active women have been exposed to the infection.

Polly Everette, Preventx managing director said:
“There are a lot of reasons why the UK’s Chlamydia rate is high and continuing to grow. Despite government campaigns, young people are still using unprotected sex, and statistics show that 75% of infected women and 50% of infected men do not experience symptoms, so it continues to spread.
Another reason is some people are too embarrassed to get checked out. It’s our intention to provide a discretionary service that will stop the spreading of the infection and at the very least, ease worrying minds.”

She added:
“Usually, when testing for Chlamydia, a person would have to complete the test and then send it off to a laboratory to receive their results. With our testing, it’s discreet, simple but most importantly efficient.”

The public health minister, Melanie Johnson, said: "It's vital that we make it easier for young men and women to get tested for Chlamydia.

The Preventx home kits are easily used by a swab process and if the subject has the infection, it will cause the swab to turn purple.

Preventx is a leading European supplier of drug testing kits and Chlamydia home tests. For further information regarding Preventx products call 01670 821 352 or visit www.preventx.co.uk