Chlamydiosis is a bacterial infection with the Chlamydia infectious agent that is transmitted through sexual contact. Chlamydia infects the urethra in men and the urethra, the cervix canal and the higher reproductive organs in women. It is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. Chlamydia can also infect the rectum and the ocular surface and eyelids. Chlamydia infection also increases the risk of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in exposure. A mother infected can pass the infection to her baby during birth. They acquire the infection in the eye, rectum, vagina and posterior wall of the throat. Chlamydia is transmitted through vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected partner. Infection may be present even in the apparent absence of symptoms. The infection can still be transmitted until it is treated and completely cured.

Chlamydia Overview

Chlamydia is a very common and curable sexually transmitted disease (STD). It’s caused by a kind of bacteria called the chlamydia trachomatis bacteria and can be passed from person to person during vaginal, oral and anal sex. There are an estimated 2.8 million new cases of chlamydia in the United States each year, with most going undiagnosed.

• Chlamydia (cla MI dee a) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
• Anyone can get chlamydia. It is very common among teens and young adults.
• Young, sexually active females need testing every year.
• Most people who have chlamydia don’t know it. Often the disease has no symptoms.
• You can pass chlamydia to others without knowing it.
• Chlamydia is easy to treat and cure.
• If you do not treat chlamydia, it can lead to serious health problems.

HOW CAN I LOWER MY RISK FOR CHLAMYDIA?

• The surest way to prevent chlamydia is not to have sex or to have sex only with someone who’s not infected and who has sex only with you.
• Condoms can reduce your risk of getting chlamydia if used the right way every single time you have sex.
• Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex will not prevent any STD.

HOW DOES SOMEONE GET CHLAMYDIA?

• You can get chlamydia by having sex with someone who has it.
• “Having sex” means having anal, oral, or vaginal sex.
• If you are a pregnant woman who has chlamydia, you can pass the infection to your baby.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CHLAMYDIA?

Many people with chlamydia don’t know they have it because they have no symptoms.

IF YOU ARE A WOMAN

The majority of chlamydial infections in women do not cause any symptoms. You can get chlamydia in the cervix (opening to the womb), rectum, or throat. You may not notice any symptoms. But if you do have symptoms, you might notice:

• An unusual discharge, with a strong smell, from your vagina.
• Discomfort when you urinate and when you have sex.
• Irritation or itching around your genitals. If the infection spreads, you might get lower abdominal pain, pain during sex, nausea, or fever.

IF YOU ARE A MAN

The majority of chlamydial infections in men do not cause any symptoms. You can get chlamydia in the urethra (inside the penis),  rectum, or throat. You may not notice any symptoms. But if you do have symptoms, you might notice:

• A discharge from your penis.
• Burning when you urinate.
• Burning or itching around the opening of your penis.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF I HAVE CHLAMYDIA?

Visit Verity Medical Clinic for Chlamydia testing.

WHEN SHOULD I BE TESTED?

IF YOU ARE A WOMAN

You should be tested for chlamydia at least once a year if you are:

• Younger than 25 and you’re having sex.
• 25 and older and you’re having sex with more than one partner.
• 25 and older and you have a new sex partner.
• Pregnant.

IF YOU ARE A MAN

See a doctor if your partner has chlamydia or symptoms that might be chlamydia. Gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men should also be tested for chlamydia.

MEN AND WOMEN

See a doctor if your partner has chlamydia or symptoms that might be chlamydia.

IF I HAVE CHLAMYDIA, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR MY PARTNER?

• Your partner may have chlamydia, too.
• Tell your recent sex partners, so they can get tested and treated.
• Avoid having sex until seven days after you’ve both started your
  treatment, so you don’t re-infect each other.

HOW IS CHLAMYDIA TREATED?

• Chlamydia can be treated and cured with antibiotics.
• Finish all of the medicine to be sure you are cured.
• Do not share your medicine with anyone. You need all of it.
• If you still have symptoms after treatment, go back to see the doctor.
• You should get tested again about three months after you finish your treatment. This is especially important if you are not sure if your partner was also treated.

CAN I GET CHLAMYDIA AGAIN AFTER I’VE BEEN TREATED?

Yes, you can get chlamydia again. You can get it from an untreated partner or a new partner.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T GET TREATED?

IF YOU ARE A WOMAN

• If untreated, chlamydia can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious infection of the reproductive organs.
• PID can cause damage in your fallopian tubes. This damage may leave you unable to get pregnant or lead to an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus).
• PID may also cause chronic pain in your pelvic area.
• If you have untreated chlamydia, you could pass the infection to your baby when giving birth. Chlamydia can cause serious health problems for babies.

IF YOU ARE A MAN

Chlamydia rarely causes long-term health problems in men. You may get an infection in the tube that carries sperm from the testes. This infection can cause pain and fever. In rare cases, this infection may prevent you from fathering children.

References

• CDC Fact Sheet: Chlamydia