Health Matters: Things to know about Chlamydia Infection!

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). This means chlamydia is passed from one person to another during sexual contact.

Causes

Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria

Chlamydia trachomatis. Both males and females may have chlamydia without having any symptoms. As a result, you may become infected or pass the infection to your partner without knowing it.

You are more likely to become infected with chlamydia if you have:

Sex without using a condom

Had multiple sexual partners

Been infected with chlamydia before

 Symptoms

Most women do not have symptoms. But some have:

Burning when they urinate

Pain in the lower part of the belly, possibly with fever

Painful intercourse

Vaginal discharge or bleeding after intercourse

Exam and Tests

If you have symptoms of a chlamydia infection, your health care provider will collect a culture or perform a test called a nucleic acid amplification test.

In the past, testing required a pelvic exam by a health care provider. Today, very accurate tests can be done on urine samples or on vaginal swabs a woman can collect herself.

Results take 1 - 2 days to come back.

Your health care provider may also check you for other types of sexually transmitted infections, such as

gonorrhea , HIV, syphilis, hepatitis, and herpes.

Even if you have no symptoms, you may need a chlamydia test if you:

Are 25 years old or younger and are sexually active (get tested every year)

Have a new sexual partner or more than one partner

Treatment

Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics. Some of these are safe to take if you are pregnant. Common side effects include nausea, upset stomach, and diarrhea.

Both you and your partner need to take the antibiotics and finish all of them, even if you feel better and still have some left. All of your sexual partners must take the antibiotics, even if they do not have symptoms. This will prevent you from passing the infection back and forth.

Because gonorrhea often occurs with chlamydia, treatment for gonorrhea is often given at the same time.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Antibiotic treatment almost always works if you and your partner take the medicines as directed.

If chlamydia spreads into your uterus, it can cause scarring and make it harder for you to get pregnant. You can help prevent this by:

Finishing your antibiotics when you are treated

Making sure your sexual partners also take antibiotics

Talking to your health care provider about being tested for chlamydia and seeing your health care provider if you have symptoms

Wearing condoms and practicing safe sex

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of chlamydia.