Teenagers and twentysomethings in Coventry are being targeted in a new campaign warning of the perils of a common, but unknown sexually transmitted disease.

Coventry Health Authority has joined forces with the city council to warn of the dangers of Chlamydia.

Goody bags will be distributed to night-clubbers and workshops and other events will be held to raise awareness of the “silent infection”.

Underwear, posters, leaflets, bus adverts and stickers have been produced to raise the profile of the unknown disease.

Health workers are worried that people do not know of the risks of the illness, which is very hard to spot.

They are urging young people to take more precautions to make sure that they do not catch it.

Chlamydia is the most common curable sexually transmitted disease, but many people do not know about it.

Anna Sewell, Promotion Specialist at Coventry Health Authority said:

“It is known as the silent infection because up to 70 per cent of women and 50 per cent of men do not show any symptoms.

“It is extremely important to raise awareness of Chlamydia amongst young people, as it is the most common curable sexually transmitted infection.”

But despite the symptoms not appearing, the disease, if untreated, can lead to infertility in both men and women and ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage.

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