Chlamydia

Overview

Chlamydia spreads through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can also pass from mother to baby during birth. Most people who have it don't know, because they have no symptoms.

Even without symptoms, untreated chlamydia can damage a woman's reproductive system and make it harder to get pregnant later. Testing and treatment are the best ways to prevent problems.

Symptoms

Most people have no symptoms. If they happen, it may be several weeks after sex.

• Discharge from the penis
• Unusual discharge from the vagina
• Burning when urinating

Less common

• Pain or swelling in one or both testicles
• Bleeding between periods or after sex
• Pain during sex
• Lower belly pain
• Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding
• Red, irritated eyes

How it usually goes

• 1 to 3 weeks or more: Symptoms may start, if any.
• After treatment: Wait 7 days before sex.
• 3 months: Get retested.

When to get medical care

Causes

Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has it, even if they have no symptoms.

Does it spread or run in families?

• Yes, it can spread from person to person.
• How it spreads: sex or touch.
• Condoms lower the risk. Sex partners should be tested and treated too.

Who is more likely to get it

• Being sexually active and under 25
• A new partner or more than one partner
• Not using condoms
• Having had an STI before

Possible complications

• Pelvic inflammatory disease: Infection that spreads to the womb and tubes
• Ectopic pregnancy: More likely after tube damage
• Epididymitis: Painful swelling near the testicle

Diagnosis

Chlamydia is found with a simple lab test.

Questions you may be asked

• Any symptoms, like discharge or burning when you pee
• Recent sex partners and condom use
• Whether a partner has an STI
• Whether you could be pregnant

The exam

They may check your genitals and, for women, do a pelvic exam.

Tests

Testing is quick:

• Urine test or swab: A urine sample, or a swab of the vagina, cervix, throat, or rectum.
• Tests for other STIs: People with chlamydia should also be tested for gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.

Treatment

Chlamydia can be cured with the right antibiotics. Take all of the medicine exactly as prescribed.

Self-care

• Don't have sex for 7 days after finishing treatment, and until symptoms are gone
• Make sure your partners are tested and treated so you don't get it again
• Don't share your medicine
• Get retested in about 3 months, even if your partners were treated

Medicines

Antibiotics need a prescription.

Treatment cures the infection but can't undo damage already done. Repeat infections are common, so retest.

If symptoms don't go away, you may need to be checked again. Some areas let your healthcare professional give you medicine for your partner (expedited partner therapy).

How it compares

Prevention

You can lower your risk:

• Use condoms correctly every time
• Get tested regularly if you're sexually active; ask how often is right for you
• Get tested with new partners
• Limit your number of partners

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a sexual health clinic, an OB-GYN, or a urologist; your local health department can test for free or low cost.

Back to school, work, or sports

• You can go to school and work as usual.
• Don't have sex until you and your partners finish treatment and your doctor says it's OK.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Pregnancy: Chlamydia can pass to the baby at birth and cause eye infections or pneumonia. Pregnant women are tested and, if positive, treated and retested.
• Teens: Chlamydia is most common in young people. Teens can often get private STI testing.
• Men: Men rarely have long-term problems, but can spread it without knowing.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Some infections can pass to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Tell your provider if you've been exposed.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Chlamydia is easy to cure. Getting tested, treated, and retested prevents most complications.

Myths and facts

Getting ready for your visit

Healthcare professionals keep STI visits private.

What to bring

• Your symptoms and when they started
• How many partners you've had recently
• Whether you could be pregnant

Questions to ask

• What should I be tested for?
• How do I tell my partner?
• When can I have sex again?
• When should I get retested?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Chlamydia