Between 1995 and 2004, a frightening increase in most sexually transmitted diseases in the UK included a 223% rise in genital chlamydia, with 104,155 reported cases in 2004, making it the most commonly reported STD. Although many questions are yet to be answered after the release of the NICE review of the evidence for the effectiveness of screening for genital chlamydial infection in sexually active young women and men, the evidence seems to say a big ‘yes' to opportunistic screening of any patient under 25, whatever they have walked through the door for. However, NICE, in its evidence statements, did not consider the added value of partner notification/contact tracing – a job effectively managed in GUM clinics but not always undertaken by GPs.
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