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Introduction: This is a non-profit making site which is split into two sections, a small public information site on chlamydial genital tract infections only (to which this page refers) and the much larger  professional site, designed for persons professionally concerned with chlamydial infections, either as carers or ressearchers.  For further information about the professional site click here.

This is the faq (frequently asked questions) section of www.chlamydiae.com.

The site has been written to conform with the code of conduct of the Health on the Net Foundation. The views on health information sites expressed, among others, in the papers of Silberg et al., 1997; Wyatt, 1997 and Gagliardi & Jadad, 2002 have also been taken into account. The web site was launched in June 2002. All the public information section of the site was updated in January 2008. 

Aims: This public information site is designed to answer basic questions from the general public about chlamydial genital tract infections.

Authoritative authorship: The site is mainly written by the webmaster, Michael Ward, B.Sc and PhD in Microbiology (University of London), a chlamydial researcher for more than 20 years. He was formerly Professor of Medical Microbiology in the University of Southampton, England and an advisor on chlamydial and gonococcal infections to the World Health Organisation Human Reproduction Program. He also runs the website of the International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections. Now retired, he holds the title of Emeritus Professor of the University of Southampton.

Clinical sections on human chlamydial genital infections were initially reviewed by Dr R Basu Roy a former consultant in genito urinary medicine and formerly president of the Medical Society for the study of venereal diseases, UK (now BASSH) see: contributors.

Complementarity: The www.chlamydiae.com site is intended to support and not supersede the normal physician – patient relationship. We believe the doctor - patient relationship works best when both parties are well informed. Accordingly you may also like to visit the much more detailed professional site (see below). No registration is required.

Privacy and Confidentiality: We fully respect the confidentiality and privacy of our visitors. See privacy.

Evidence base: Attribution and Justifiability: For simplicity, literature references have not been included in the public information site. Detailed evidence-based information will be found in the relevant section of the companion professional site which is a virtual encylopaedia on Chlamydia and chlamydial infections. Non chlamydial specialists are welcome to visit the professional site, though bits of it will be heavy going.  Some explanations and medical dictionary hyperlinks, marked with have been added to the professional site to aid non-professional readers.

It is recommended that, from the home page of the public site, you take the systematic tour, following the suggested link at the bottom of each page. The tour deals with some common issues, then splits to specific issues for men or women, before coming together again on issues of interest to both sexes. Alternatively, you may pick and choose topics from the index to frequently asked questions. 

The top and bottom navigation bars on each document permit you to link to the professional site's home page, to the public site's home page (click on faq) or to the evidence base in basic science [Chlamydiales, Biology or Immunology links] or the clinical sections [Infections, Diagnosis, Treatment]. The site is best viewed  on Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox at 1024 x 768 pixels.

Financial disclosure and advertising policy: The site has no sponsorship and carries no advertising. Editorial policy is solely at the discretion of the webmaster.

Topicality: The month and year of last update is indicated on each document as it is updated. All the public information section of the site was updated in January 2008.

Copyright: This site is copyright © www.chlamydiae.com 2002 - 2008.

Further details: Please see our full terms and conditions.

NEXT: Return to the public information site home page

[MEW] January 2008

References

Gagliardi, A. & Jadad, A. R. (2002). Examination of instruments used to rate quality of health information on the internet: chronicle of a voyage with an unclear destination. British Medical Journal 324, 669 - 573.

Multiple authors (2002). BMJ issue on the internet and medical information. British Medical Journal 324, no 7337 March 9th. Contents Page for full articles on line. 

Silberg WM, Lundberg GD, Musacchio RA. (1997). Assessing, controlling, and assuring the quality of medical information on the Internet: Caveant lector et viewor - Let the reader and viewer beware. JAMA. 277, 1244-1245