Screen system catches sex bug

Alex de Vos
Improved detection of a sex bug in Geelong region women shows a new screening program is working, according to doctors.
Department of Human Services figures show detection of chlamydia increased 30 per cent in the region last year, with a further rise set for 2008 after the disease spread rapidly among young people over the past three years.
Chlamydia is the most-reported infectious disease in the region. Sufferers are often unaware they have the sexually transmitted bug, which can cause infertility if left untreated.
In 2006 the Independent revealed Geelong clinics would introduce automatic tests as part of a $3.5 million Federal Government package to combat chlamydia.
Australian College of General Practitioners’ Dr Ronald McCoy said he was pleased with the rise in the region’s figures because it showed the screening system was working.
“We’ve know for a long time that chlamydia is quite common, particularly in young people, but we haven’t been very good at detecting it,” Dr McCoy said.
“Since the introduction of automatic screenings, doctors are getting a lot better at diagnosing chlamydia.
“The figures are great because it means we’re picking up the disease.”
Dr McCoy said he expected the notifications to decrease with increased awareness of the dangers of the disease.
“We’ve only just introduced guidelines to automatically screen women when they come in for a pap smear, so it might take a few of years for the message to get out and for women to come in for screening.”
Dr McCoy said the tests were also helping eliminate concerns about doctors failing to detect infections.
“Everyone thinks there’s an epidemic but the increase means doctors are doing their job.”
Dr McCoy said an apparent lack of symptoms meant women often failed to realise they had contracted chlamydia.