Chlamydia cases rise among under-16s - Femail

By Kate Devlin, Medical Correspondent

Published: 19 May 2009

Source: Telegraph

 

Norman Lamb, the Lib Dem health spokesman, said: 'The number of youngsters contacting STIs is very disturbing'. The cases are part of a general upwards trend in the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people. A total of 2,020 15-year-olds were found to have the infection in 2008, compared with 1,176 the year before and just 52 in 2003. Rates of the infection have been increasing steadily since a national screening programme was introduced in 2003.

 

Ministers say that the rising number of teens testing positive is because more are being screened. However, the Liberal Democrats, who received the figures in a parliamentary answer, accused the Government of being "short-sighted" in its attitude to the problem.

 

Norman Lamb, the Lib Dem health spokesman, said: "The number of youngsters contacting STIs is very disturbing. "Children must be informed about the risks involved in sexual relationships and taught how to be safe. "The Government has slashed public health spending over recent years. "This short-sightedness is putting a whole generation at risk of a sexual health crisis." Chlamydia is often symptomless but can affect women's fertility.

 

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "The National Chlamydia Screening Programme has been rolled out throughout the NHS since 2003. "The programme has helped us to screen an increasing number of people for chlamydia. Since 2008, all PCTs have been reporting to the programme, which accounts for the recent increase in reported cases."
 

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