Chlamydia and stigma

The show 'Sex Education' is a teen comedy that explores issues relating to sexuality. In the first episode of the second season, the entire student body freaks out due to an outbreak of chlamydia and starts blaming and shaming people for having the disease. I have had my own experience with chlamydia.

One time, I got a phone call from the sexual health clinic telling me that I had tested positive for chlamydia. I was completely shocked. How could this have happened to me? I felt ashamed, like having chlamydia meant something about who I was as a person.

In reality, it was no big deal. It was easily treated with a once-off dose of medication. In hindsight, it was the stigma around STIs that made me react the way I did.

There are certain ideas that float around about STIs. That someone who has had an STI is 'dirty' or promiscuous. These ideas are based on stigma, not fact, and the stigma around STIs actually makes it harder for us to prevent their spread and get treated. If people are too ashamed to talk about STIs, then they are less likely to go and get tested, to disclose an STI to sexual partners, or to make a plan for safer sex. Unfortunately, STI rates are increasing in Australia, and if left untreated they can have really serious health consequences.

How can we help to reduce the stigma and actually deal with the problem? Talking about it is a good start. Another option is to actually make a plan with some friends to go get tested together (there are free services for anyone under 25 at the Adelaide Sexual Health Centre near North Terrace campus). Shows like Sex Education help to teach people about these issues and reduce stigma.

And look, if there's still a stigma about STIs in ten years time, I might just have to start walking around campus with a megaphone and a sign saying: 'I had chlamydia, and it was no big deal!'