Chlamydia

 

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the USA. In men the chlamydia bacteria can infect the penis (urethra), anus, or eye. In women, the bacteria can infect the female reproductive organs (vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes), anus, urethra, and eye.

 

How common is chlamydia?

Four million American men and women are diagnosed with chlamydia every year. However, there are many people with chlamydia who do not know they have it because they do not have symptoms or do not notice the symptoms.

 

Who is most likely to get chlamydia?

People who are most likely to get chlamydia are those who:

• Have more than one sexual partner
• Have sex with partners who have other sexual partners
• Don't use condoms
• Have a history of STDs
• Are under age 25

How is chlamydia spread?

Chlamydia is spread from person-to-person during unprotected sex. It can be passed through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can also be passed to the eye by a hand or other body part moistened with infected body fluids. Chlamydia can be passed from a woman infected with chlamydia to her fetus during birth.

 

Chlamydia cannot be spread by kissing, toilet seats, bed linens, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, sharing clothes, or eating utensils.

 

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

You may be infected with chlamydia and not even know it since you may not have any symptoms. The symptoms may be mild and can go away after two or three weeks-even though the infection is still there. This is another reason to have regular check-ups.

 

Symptoms of chlamydia can include:

• A clear or milky discharge from the penis
• A burning feeling when urinating
• The need to urinate more than usual
• Swollen or painful testicles
• Pain, itching, bleeding, and/or mucus discharge of the rectum (for chlamydia in the anus)
• Redness, itching, and/or discharges of the eyes (for chlamydia in the eyes)

You may notice that these symptoms are like the symptoms of gonorrhea. In fact, it is common to have chlamydia and gonorrhea at the same time.

 

Where can I get tested and treated for chlamydia?

You can be tested and treated for chlamydia at Planned Parenthood or other family planning health centers, private doctors' offices, STD clinics, hospital clinics, and health departments. These places will also usually offer counseling.

 

How is chlamydia diagnosed?

Your health care provider can diagnose chlamydia by taking a urine sample or by placing a small swab in the end of the penis. It is important to get a test in order to tell if you have gonorrhea or chlamydia. They have very similar symptoms, but each needs a different treatment.

 

Is there a cure for chlamydia?

Yes. Chlamydia is easy to treat and cure. It's important that you get treated early so that more serious health problems don't occur. Both sexual partners must get treated at the same time so you don't re-infect each other. Your health care provider will prescribe antibiotics to kill the chlamydia bacteria. Remember to take all of the prescribed medicine, even if the symptoms go away. This is because the infection can still be in your body.

 

Is chlamydia dangerous?

If chlamydia is not treated, it can cause infection of the tube that connects the testicles to the urethra of the penis (this is called epididymitis). It can also lead to serious complications in women.

 

If I think I have chlamydia, what should I do?

• If you think you have chlamydia, the first thing you should do is stop having sexual intercourse and get tested and treated.
• Make sure you tell all current and past sexual partners that you have chlamydia, since you could have infected them. You may find this difficult to do, but it is very important to do so that your partners can get treated before more serious health problems occur. If you can't tell your partners, your health care provider can help you. Keep in mind: if your partner found out they had chlamydia, you would want them to tell you!
• Don't have sex until you have finished treatment and your health care provider says that you are cured.
• Make sure you use a condom every time you have vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

How can I avoid getting chlamydia?

Chlamydia is very common, but your chance of getting it is almost zero if you don't have sex. If you decide to have sexual intercourse, make sure you use a condom every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You also should be careful not to spread any sexual fluids into your eyes, since chlamydia can infect the eyes.

 

What types of birth control protect against chlamydia?

The only types of birth control that protect against chlamydia are male latex and polyurethane condoms and female condoms. Latex condoms are the best protection against chlamydia.

 

Written by the CYWH and YMH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

 

Updated: 2/5/2008

 

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