Relevant answers to your frequent questions...

Chlamydia: Frequently Asked Questions

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis , which can damage a woman's reproductive organs. Even though symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur "silently" before a woman ever recognizes a problem. Chlamydia also can cause discharge from the penis of an infected man.
Chlamydia is the most common bacteria sexually transmitted infection. At least one in ten sexually active people under the age of 25 will have chlamydia - and you may not even know you have it because most people do not have any symptoms.
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection. 1 in 10 sexually active under 25 year olds have Chlamydia. Most people don’t know they have it as it often has no symptoms.

Is Chlamydia curable?

Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics, usually with a single dose. Follow your healthcare professional’s instructions, and, as with any medication, take as directed and complete the entire duration of the prescription, even if your symptoms disappear. General Women’s Health

What causes chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection. It is a bacteria that can be transmitted through body fluids (semen, vaginal secretions, saliva). Many people with chlamydia do not have symptoms or signs of an infection. Symptoms may ocircleur and can include a discharge from the vagina or penis, itching or burning while urinating, or even a sore throat (if contracted during oral sex with an infected partner). ...

What is feline Chlamydia?

It is a relatively mild, chronic upper respiratory disease (first called the “feline pneumonitis agent”). Symptoms include eye discharge and can also cause nasal discharge, sneezing and pneumonia. Left untreated, the infection tends to become chronic, lasting weeks or months.

How common is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is the most often reported bacterial STD in the United States. About 2.8 million Americans get chlamydia each year. Women are often re-infected if their sex partners are not treated.
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States. In 2006, 1,030,911 chlamydial infections were reported to CDC from 50 states and the District of Columbia. Under-reporting is substantial because most people with chlamydia are not aware of their infections and do not seek testing. Also, testing is not often done if patients are treated for their symptoms. ...
Chlamydia is a very common infection, particularly in young, sexually active people who don’t always use condoms. In 2007, in Australia, there were 52,000 recorded cases of Chlamydia and 80% of these infections occurred in people aged 15-29 years. However, the actual number of infections may be much higher than this as many people with Chlamydia do not realize they are infected and so never get tested.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about 75 percent of infected women and about 50 percent of infected men have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within one to three weeks after exposure. For a list of chlamydia symptoms, visit the Symptoms and Treatment webpage.
Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about three quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure. In women, the bacteria initially infect the cervix and the urethra (urine canal). Women who have symptoms might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. ...
Most women do not have symptoms. Symptoms that may appear include pelvic pain, pain with urination, vaginal discharge, and pain and/or bleeding with intercourse. Even in women who have no symptoms, their cervix may be red and bleed easily during pelvic exam and pap smear. This may be noted by the patient's gynecologist. Men with chlamydia may also be asymptomatic. The main symptom they may have is a small amount of clear discharge from the penis.
Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because 75 percent of infected women and at least half of infected men have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks of exposure. Symptoms, if any, might include an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. The infection is often not diagnosed or treated until there are complications. If you think you have chlamydia or are concerned about it, both you and your sex partner should see a doctor right away. ...

What is the treatment for chlamydia?

Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. People with HIV and chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV negative. For more information of treating chlamydia, visit the Symptoms and Treatment webpage.
Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. A single dose of azithromycin or a week of doxycycline (twice daily) are the most commonly used treatments. HIV-positive persons with chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV negative. 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. ...
Antibiotics are used to treat and cure chlamydia. A single dose of azithromycin or a week of doxycycline are the most commonly used treatments. All sex partners should also be treated to avoid reinfection. You should not have sex until you and your sex partner(s) have finished treatment. There are safe antibiotics to cure chlamydia during pregnancy.

How can chlamydia be prevented?

The best way to avoid the spread of STDs is to not have sex, or to have sex with only one partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected. If used correctly every time, latex male condoms can reduce the risk of spreading of chlamydia. For more information on preventing chlamydia, visit the Prevention webpage.
Because Chlamydia often has no symptoms, the only way of knowing whether you or your partner have it for you both to be tested. Always use condoms with a new sexual partner, not only can this help prevent Chlamydia, but it is also a barrier against pregnancy and other sexually transmitted infections. If you are thinking about stopping using condoms with a regular partner, it is best that you both get a full check up before doing so. Do not have sex with an untreated partner.

What are the problems of chlamydia?

If untreated, chlamydia can develop into serious reproductive and other health problems with both short-term and long-term effects. Like the disease itself, the damage is often "silent. " For more information on not treating chlamydia, visit the Symptoms and Treatment webpage.

Who gets chlamydia?

Anyone who has sex can get with chlamydia. The more sex partners, the greater the risk of infection. People at higher risk for infection include: Teenage girls Young women Men who have sex with men

How is chlamydia diagnosed?

There are laboratory tests to diagnose chlamydia. Some can be performed on urine; other tests require that a sample be collected from a site such as the penis or cervix.
Dorset County Chlamydia Screening asks for self-taken samples to test for Chlamydia. Women will need to supply a self-taken vulvo-vaginal swab (using the swab in the way you insert a tampon). Men can provide a urine sample, providing they have not passed urine for two hours. The test is very accurate providing the sample has been taken properly.
There are laboratory tests to diagnose chlamydia. Some can be performed on urine, other tests require that a specimen be collected from a site such as the penis or cervix.
Only a doctor or nurse can diagnose chlamydia. There are laboratory tests to diagnose chlamydia. Some tests involve getting a sample from an infected site (cervix or penis) to be tested for the bacteria. A urine test can also tell if you have the bacteria. A Pap test is not a test for chlamydia.

How easy is it to get chlamydia?

Chlamydia is thought to be highly infectious. There is up to a 70% chance of getting it with a single episode of unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person. However because symptoms are commonly absent or very vague, it is unlikely that it will be known about.

How is chlamydia treated?

Antibiotics are very effective at eradicating a chlamydia infection. All sexual partners should be evaluated for chalmydia as well. Since gonorrhea is often found in individuals with chlamydia, it is important to rule out this sexually transmitted disease as well.

Is chlamydia very infectious?

Yes it is. One single episode of sexual contact, including vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected person, as well as sharing sex toys and mutual masturbation, presents a high risk of contracting the infection.

Is there any treatment for Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, and it can be successfully treated with a course of oral antibiotics. Only certain antibiotics are able to penetrate inside the cells where Chlamydia resides. Treatment must be continued for a minimum of 4 weeks and for at least ten days after the eyes appear normal. In some cases, topical antibiotic treatment in the form of eye ointment may also be given. ...

How can Chlamydia be diagnosed?

Chlamydia infection can be diagnosed in several ways with isolation of the organism the method of choice. This involves taking a swab sample from the eyes. The swab is then placed in special transport media and sent to a laboratory where the organism can be grown in culture and identified. Sometimes the Chlamydia organisms may be seen in stained smears. Another option is a blood test for the presence of Chlamydia antibodies. ...

What is chlamydia and how common is it?

Chlamydia (pronounced kluh-mid-ee-uh) is the most frequently reported sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by bacteria ( Chlamydia trachomatis ) in the U.S. An estimated 2.8 million Americans get chlamydia each year. Women are often reinfected, meaning they get the STD again, if their sex partners are not treated. Reinfections place women at higher risk for serious reproductive health complications, including infertility.
Bookmark this page  

Also on SnappyFingers: