The number of people testing positive for the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia has decreased during the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, according to figures released by the Swedish Public Health Agency.

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During the first four months of the year, the number of confirmed chlamydial cases in Sweden was at about the same level as usual or just above the 2019 level. In May and June, however, there is a downward trend – fewer have been found to be infected with chlamydia. There are 593 fewer cases in total in Sweden during the two-month period, a decrease of 11% compared to the same period last year.

"The most likely explanation is that fewer people tested themselves, not that there is a trend break in the disease itself," says Inga Velicko, epidemiologist at the Public Health Authority.

The risk is that more people are now withdrawing from seeking care for STDs, which follows other patterns in healthcare. However, in case of suspicion of chlamydia, you can order home Tests and then get a referral to a reception if it turns out that you are infected.

– It may be that not everyone knows that you can order home tests online, among young people I think many know it but there may be fewer among the elderly, says Inga Velicko.

The Public Health Authority has no national statistics on the number of tests carried out, but according to P3 News survey earlier this summer, several regions testify to a decrease in chlamydial tests in the spring, for example in Umeå where visits to the skin and STD clinic have been halved in May compared to the same month last year.

Therese Zetterqvist Eriksson, co-ordinating midwife at UMO, youth reception online, invites anyone who has had a casual sexual to test themselves, even if one has no clear symptoms. She believes that the decrease in statistics may have to do with the fact that many youth receptions and STI receptions have closed their drop-in receptions during the pandemic

– I can imagine that has reduced the tests, it is easier to slip into a drop-in than to make an appointment. Among those who turn to us, we do not notice that people shy away from going and testing themselves, however, many find it hard that there are missing Times and you miss the drop-in Times, says Therese Zetterqvist Eriksson.

https://www.dagensmedicin.se/artiklar/2020/07/20/farre-fall-av-klamydia-senaste-manaderna/

The number of cases of venereal disease chlamydia in Sweden has decreased by 11 percent in May and June compared with the same period last year. The reason is believed to be that fewer tested themselves during the period. During the first four months of the year, the number of confirmed chlamydial cases in Sweden was at about the same level as usual or just above the 2019 level. In May and June, however, there is a downward trend – fewer have been found to be infected with chlamydia. There are 593 fewer cases in total in Sweden during the two-month period, a decrease of 11% compared to the same period last year. "The most likely explanation is that fewer people tested themselves, not that there is a trend break in the disease itself," says Inga Velicko, epidemiologist at the Public Health Authority. The risk is that more people are now withdrawing from seeking care for STDs, which follows other patterns in healthcare. However, in case of suspicion of chlamydia, you can order home Tests and then get a referral to a reception if it turns out that you are infected. – It may be that not everyone knows that you can order home tests online, among young people I think many know it but there may be fewer among the elderly, says Inga Velicko. The Public Health Authority has no national statistics on the number of tests carried out, but according to P3 News survey earlier this summer, several regions testify to a decrease in chlamydial tests in the spring, for example in Umeå where visits to the skin and STD clinic have been halved in May compared to the same month last year. Therese Zetterqvist Eriksson, co-ordinating midwife at UMO, youth reception online, invites anyone who has had a casual sexual to test themselves, even if one has no clear symptoms. She believes that the decrease in statistics may have to do with the fact that many youth receptions and STI receptions have closed their drop-in receptions during the pandemic – I can imagine that has reduced the tests, it is easier to slip into a drop-in than to make an appointment. Among those who turn to us, we do not notice that people shy away from going and testing themselves, however, many find it hard that there are missing Times and you miss the drop-in Times, says Therese Zetterqvist Eriksson. https://www.dagensmedicin.se/artiklar/2020/07/20/farre-fall-av-klamydia-senaste-manaderna/

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