Appeal parents on Chlamydia tests

PARENTS are being sent details of how their teenage child can get tested for Chlamydia as part of an ongoing drive to reduce the spread of the sexually-transmitted infection.

From late June, letters will be sent to the parents and carers of 16 and 17-year-olds living in Norfolk and Waveney.

As well as giving more information about Chlamydia, they will explain why it is so important for teenagers to get checked for the infection and detail how to access a free and painless screening test.

The letters are being sent by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney and NHS Norfolk as part of the sexual health service's ongoing www.areyougettingit.com campaign, which aims to reduce the spread of the infection.

Andy Mazzei, advanced practitioner for the sexual health promotion unit, said: “We know about one in 14 of Norfolk and Waveney's young people have Chlamydia. It can be passed from one person to another through sexual touching and not just through full sex, so some people don't realise they are still at risk.