chlamydia
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Everything You Need to Know About Chlamydia Infection
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that’s not always accompanied by symptoms. However, if left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious complications. spicy sampler
Chlamydia is an STI caused by a specific strain of bacteria known as Chlamydia trachomatis.
Many people who have chlamydia often don’t have outward symptoms in the early stages.
Untreated chlamydia can cause serious complications, so it’s important to get regular screenings and talk with a doctor or another healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
How is chlamydia transmitted?
Sexual activity without a condom or other barrier method is the main way a chlamydia infection can be transmitted. Penetration doesn’t have to occur to contract it. Touching genitals together may transmit the bacteria through secretions.
Contact with the mouth, lips, or tongue may also be enough to
chlamydia during oral sex. However, this is less common.
It can also occur in the eyes through direct or indirect contact with the bacteria. For example, if you touch your eye without washing your hands, the infection can move from the genitals to the eye.
Newborn babies can acquire chlamydia during birth. Most prenatal testing includes a chlamydia test, but it doesn’t hurt to double-check with an OB-GYN during the first prenatal checkup.
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI in the United States. According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
, more than 1.6 million cases of chlamydia were reported in 2023.
The number of people affected is likely
due to the asymptomatic nature of most infections.
It’s particularly common among young adults, with the highest rates occurring in people ages 15 to 24. In 2023, 55.8% of reported cases were in this age group.
What are the symptoms of a chlamydia infection?
Chlamydia is often referred to as a “silent infection” because most people with a chlamydia infection don’t experience any symptoms.
However, it can cause several symptoms in others, including:
If you have chlamydia in the throat, symptoms can include a sore throat, cough, or fever.
If you have a chlamydia eye infection, also known as chlamydial conjunctivitis, the following symptoms may occur:
When symptoms do occur, they may be similar to those of other STIs. See photos of symptoms caused by different STIs to understand the visible effects these infections can have.
How is chlamydia diagnosed?
Your healthcare professional will likely perform a physical exam. This lets them observe any discharge, sores, or unusual spots that may be related to a possible infection.
They may swab the sore or other areas of possible infection, including the vaginal canal, penile urethra, anus, and throat. But in most cases, healthcare professionals recommend a urine test. wand heads
The results of a swab or urine test may take several days to arrive. compact bulb If your test result is positive, a healthcare professional will contact you to schedule a follow-up appointment and discuss treatment.
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here.
How is chlamydia treated? luxury strapless toys
Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics.
Doxycycline is an antibiotic that must be taken twice daily for 1 week. Azithromycin is an antibiotic usually prescribed in a single, large dose. In some cases, a different antibiotic may be prescribed.
It’s important to take the full course of medication and to avoid partner sex and sex toy use until the infection has cleared. Your healthcare professional will advise you on how long you should wait.
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What happens if chlamydia is left untreated?
Some people develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection that can damage the uterus, cervix, and ovaries. This can lead to chronic pelvic pain. Scarring in the fallopian tubes can result in infertility.
The epididymis — the tube that holds the testicles in place — may become inflamed, causing pain. This is known as epididymitis. In rare cases, epididymitis can lead to decreased sperm production and infertility.
The infection can also spread to the prostate gland, causing a fever and pain in the lower back. This is known as prostatitis.
Congenital chlamydia can lead to eye infections and pneumonia.
What can you do to reduce your risk of contracting chlamydia?
Abstaining from sexual activity is the only guaranteed way to prevent chlamydia and other STIs.
However, if you are sexually active, there are several steps you can take to decrease your risk:
Other frequently asked questions
It’s important to finish the full course of antibiotics before having partner sex. It’s possible to transmit the infection to a partner if you engage in sexual contact before you each complete treatment.
Your healthcare professional may advise you to wait 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the type of antibiotic prescribed.
Home testing kits for chlamydia are widely available and can be purchased at many pharmacies or online.
These kits typically require a urine sample or tissue swab, which you can collect at home and securely ship back to the lab to receive your results.
Some companies include a consultation with a doctor to review your test results and treatment options.
In some cases, chlamydia can cause unusual discharge, which could have a strong or pungent smell.
However, this could also be a sign of several other infections, including bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis. It could also be caused by many other factors, including sweat, changes in pH, or shifts in hormone levels.
Consider talking with a healthcare professional to address any concerns regarding abnormal discharge or odor, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like pain, bleeding, itching, or burning.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are common bacterial STIs. They’re usually asymptomatic, but when symptoms do occur, they’re often similar. This includes pain or burning during urination and unusual anal or genital discharge.
People with chlamydia may experience symptoms within a few weeks of exposure. With gonorrhea, it can be much longer before symptoms appear, if at all. Both STIs are curable with antibiotics.
The bottom line
Chlamydia is often asymptomatic. However, it can lead to infertility and other complications if left untreated. Getting tested is the only way to know your status. Many STIs, including chlamydia, are curable with antibiotics.
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