What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection. It is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. This infection spreads easily because it is often asymptomatic. This means that you can transmit chlamydia to your sexual partners without knowing it. Among people with chlamydia, approximately 75% of people with vaginas and 50% of people with penises do not experience any symptoms. However, if left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious complications.

How is chlamydia transmitted?

A person with chlamydia can transmit it to their partners during anal or oral sex. Infections can also occur when a person with chlamydia shares sex toys with their partners.

How common is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI. Approximately 1.5 million cases of chlamydia are reported each year. The number of infections is likely even higher. Most chlamydia signs or symptoms of infection. Many of these cases likely go unreported.

Certain demographic characteristics can increase the likelihood of a chlamydia diagnosis. Those most at risk for chlamydia are:

• Teens or young adults between the ages of 15 and 24. More than half of diagnosed chlamydia cases in the United States occur in this age group. The rate is higher among women. This is why healthcare providers often recommend chlamydia screening if you are between the ages of 15 and 24.
• Men who have sex with men (MSM). Chlamydia infections disproportionately affect men who have s*x with men, compared to those who have s*x with women.
• Black and non-Hispanic people. Chlamydia infections disproportionately affect non-Hispanic Black populations. Higher transmission rates among some groups are less due to s*xual behavior than to social networks and lack of access to STI prevention resources.

For example, chlamydia is more likely to be transmitted from person to person in communities with high infection rates. It is also more likely to spread among groups that lack easy access to s*x education or have barriers to STIs, such as condoms and dental dams.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ecommends chlamydia screening as part of routine health care.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

In women, chlamydia can cause the following symptoms:

• Changes in vaginal discharge
• Bleeding or spotting between periods or after sex
• Burning or stinging when urinating
• Pain during sex
• Cramps or pain in the lower abdomen

In men, chlamydia can cause the following symptoms:

• Clear or milky discharge from the penis
• Redness at the entrance to the penis
• Burning or stinging when urinating
• Pain or swelling in one or both testicles

Most people with chlamydia do not experience any symptoms. This means that you or your partner can be infected for months or even years without knowing it.

If you do experience symptoms, they usually appear 2 to 14 days after unprotected sex.

How is chlamydia diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose chlamydia by sending a urine sample or a vaginal, cervical, anal, or throat swab to a laboratory. The sample is simple. You can do it yourself or consult a healthcare professional.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea tests are often performed simultaneously, as many people are infected with both. It is also advisable to be tested for other STIs at the same time. A chlamydia test cannot be performed with a blood test.

A chlamydia test can also be performed alongside other tests. For example, you can have a chlamydia test at the same time as a cervical cancer screening test.

Chlamydia is a notifiable disease in Australia. This means that health authorities must be informed of all cases of chlamydia. This allows for infection tracking. It is important to try to stop outbreaks, as chlamydia can lead to long-term health complications.

How is chlamydia treated?

Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline or azithromycin. A single dose is usually required. If you develop a secondary infection, you may need to take antibiotics for a longer period.

Your sexual partners will also need treatment. If you are concerned that they may not seek medical help, you can obtain a prescription for antibiotics yourself. This is called patient-managed couples therapy (PMCT).

It is also recommended:

• Avoid sexual intercourse, even with a condom, for 7 days after starting antibiotic treatment or until treatment is completed and symptoms have resolved, whichever comes later.
• Avoid sexual intercourse with any partner in the past 6 months until you have been tested and treated.
• Take another chlamydia test 3 months after completing treatment to ensure you have not been reinfected.

Remember that once treatment is complete, you are not immune to chlamydia. You can contract it again.

If you have chlamydia and don't receive treatment, you can develop serious and painful complications.

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