What you need to know about Chlamydia and Douglas County, NE.
Douglas County, Nebraska contains the whole area around, and including, Omaha. It also has the not-so-good distinction of having a rate of chlamydia infections above the national average. Those who live within its borders need to be aware of this fact in order to take care of their health.
The number of cases of chlamydia in Douglas Country continues to rise. They went up almost 10% between 2011 and 2012. The rate is about 30% higher than the national average for yearly cases of chlamydia. It is a very serious matter.
Chlamydia can be especially dangerous because many of those who have it don’t show any symptoms. Without symptoms, some do not bother to get tested and may continue to pass it along to others. Anyone who is sexually active, particularly if they have more than one partner, should get tested on a regular basis.
Fortunately, if chlamydia is discovered early, it can be easily treated. Sometimes it is as simple as taking one pill. However, if left untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women. It is particularly important to get tested before having an abortion, since a surgical abortion can take chlamydia from the pelvic area up into the uterus, increasing the chances of PID. Leaving the disease untreated can sometimes do the same thing.
Those highest at risk for chlamydia are younger women (under the age of 25) and those who have more than one sexual partner. Having unprotected sex also increases the risk. For some reason, those who are African-American also have a higher risk of the disease.
At Assure Women’s Center, we only test and treat women who also test positive for a pregnancy. However, there are many places to get tested and treated in the Omaha area. (If you need us to recommend a place, please call us at 402-390-9700.)
If you think you might be pregnant, Assure is Your Best First Step!
