A HEALTH trust is mailing out thousands of chlamydia testing kits to young people in Southend, Rochford and Castle Point in an effort to halt the disease’s spread.
NHS South East Essex says one sexually active young person in ten tests positive for chlamydia, making it one of the most common sexually transmitted infections.
Mailing out kits is part of the NHS’s screening programme and will continue through the year.
The first batch of 6,000 will hit doormats in the coming weeks, with everyone aged between 18 and 24 due to get one within a year.
Dr Andrea Atherton, director of public health for the trust, said: “ The kits are discreet, easy to use and involve taking a simple painless test.
“I hope young people will use it. It is far better than having an untreated infection which can cause chronic pain and even lead to infertility.
“Even if the results are positive, prompt, effective treatment with a course of antibiotics will soon clear things up.”
The kits are specific for males or females and will be posted out in discreet, unbranded packaging, with clear, detailed instructions, lab contact information and details of local NHS sexual health services.
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