chlamydia is known as the silent disease because most people who are infected have no symptoms.
That means they may unknowingly spread it to a partner, who may pass it to another, and so on, and so on.
The long term ramifications for women include
pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and fatal ectopic pregnancy.
As of March of this year, the health department reports 276 cases alone in Washoe County.
"The importance of identifying and treating, and testing for Chlamydia is to stop the spread of it," says Jennifer Howell of Washoe County’s Health Department.
Washoe County's Health Department shows graphics indicating Nevada's infection rate of 366 cases per hundred thousand people.
It certainly isn't one of the highest in the nation, but as the graphics continue to spiral down to Washoe County it has the second highest infection rate in the state, and in the last ten years we hit the second highest rate of 342 cases per-hundred thousand in 2010.
"Testing is more sensitive and specific. It’s actually easier to test now, just have to pee in a cup. It’s a specific treatment of antibiotics," says Howell.
Those most at risk and therefore recommended to get yearly Chlamydia testing are sexually active women ages 25 or younger or women who have had multiple sex partners in the last 90 days, and all pregnant women.
Men too can get Chlamydia, however complications among them are rare.
Infection sometimes spreads causing pain and fever but rarely sterility.
