What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria. Even though symptoms of Chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications can cause irreversible damage, including infertility.
How do people get Chlamydia?
Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal delivery.
Symptoms of Chlamydia
- About three-quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure.
- Men with symptoms might have a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating or burning and itching around the opening of the penis.
- Women who have symptoms might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating.
- Men or women who have receptive anal intercourse may get chlamydia infection in the rectum, which can cause rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding. Chlamydia can also be found in the throats of women and men who have oral sex with an infected partner.
How is Chlamydia diagnosed?
Laboratory tests of urine diagnose Chlamydia.
How is Chlamydia treated?
- Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. All sex partners should be evaluated, tested, and treated.
- Persons with Chlamydia should abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their sex partners have completed treatment, otherwise re-infection is possible.
What complications can result from untreated Chlamydia?
If untreated, Chlamydia can cause serious reproductive and other health problems with both short-term and long-term consequences.
How is Chlamydia prevented?
Using condoms consistently and correctly can reduce the risk of transmission of Chlamydia.
