Overview
Chlamydia is an infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is contracted through vaginal, anal or oral intercourse. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause sterility in both men and women, as well as discharge and painful urination.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, chlamydia is the most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States, and is very common among teenagers and young adults. It is also estimated that 2.8 million Americans are infected with chlamydia each year. Women are frequently re-infected if their sex partners are not treated.
Symptoms
Chlamydia is known as the "silent disease," because most people infected with Chlamydia have no symptoms. At initial infection, women may experience abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation during urination. If the infection spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes, women may experience lower abdominal pain, pain during sex, nausea, fever and/or bleeding between periods.
Infected men may experience discharge from the penis and burning during urination.
Treatment
Most people with chlamydia do not know they have it. Get tested for chlamydia if you have not used condoms every time during sex, and make sure your sexual partner is also tested. Free and confidential testing is available through your local Planned Parenthood office.
Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics. Most treatment plans require a medication that must be taken every day for a week or more.
While you are being treated:
• Finish all medication, even if symptoms go away
• Never share your medication with anyone
• Make sure your sex partner(s) get tested and treated
• Avoid sex for one week while you and your partner are being treated
• Follow all instructions given to you by your health care provider or clinic
If you do contract chlamydia you must tell your partner and other partners you've had sex with in the past. They should be treated even if they have no symptoms because they could give chlamydia back to you or someone else. Once you are treated, don't have sex with your partner until they are finished with their treatment.
Prevention
You can protect yourself from chlamydia in the same ways you protect yourself from other STDs. Using condoms every time you have sex is the best way to prevent infection. Spermicidal jelly or foam, in addition to condoms, during vaginal sex can also help prevent STDs.
Getting tested regularly, and requiring that your partners get tested, is the best way to insure you don't contract or spread chlamydia. The test uses a cotton swab to collect a small amount of fluid from a man's penis or a woman's cervix. The test is not painful for women, and only a bit uncomfortable for men because a swab must be inserted into the penis for a quick swabbing. A pap smear does NOT test for chlamydia.
Ask your physician
If you think you have an STD, go to your health care provider or clinic right away. Your sexual partner needs to get tested, too. If you have sex, get a checkup at least once a year. It only takes a couple of minutes.
For more information on chlamydia, click here.
