New Massachusetts measure to help stem the spread of chlamydia

A new public health measure approved in Massachusetts aims to halt the alarming prevalence of the sexually transmitted disease (STD) chlamydia in the state. Sexual partners of those who have been diagnosed with the condition will be able to obtain an antibiotic prescription to treat the symptoms without seeing a doctor, according to the Boston Globe.

This development comes at a time when chlamydia rates in Massachusetts have more than doubled between 1999, when 8,700 cases were reported, to over 21,200 cases reported in 2010.

Partners of those with formally diagnosed with chlamydia will be able to receive antibiotics without undergoing examination from a healthcare provider. Additionally, the terms of the new health regulations state that when patients are diagnosed with chlamydia, they will be provided a prescription and an informational sheet to give to each of their sexual partners.

Typically, chlamydia can be treated with a two-pill dose of azithromycin. The difficulty of treatment lies in the frequently asymptomatic nature of the disease, particularly among women.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chlamydia is the most common STD - and the most common infectious disease of any kind - in the U.S. During 2008, approximately 401 cases were reported for every 100,000 American citizens.