Chlamydia
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. It is caused by a bacteria that can infect the vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes, anus, urethra, or eye.
How common is chlamydia?
Four million American women and men are diagnosed with chlamydia every year. However, there are many people with chlamydia who do not know they have it because they have never had the symptoms.
Who is most likely to get chlamydia?
Chlamydia is most common among:
How is chlamydia spread?
Chlamydia is spread from person-to-person during unprotected sex. It can be passed through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can also be passed to the eye by a hand or other body part moistened with infected secretions. Chlamydia can be passed from a woman infected with chlamydia to her fetus during birth. Chlamydia cannot be spread by kissing, toilet seats, bed linens, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, sharing clothes, or eating utensils.
What are the symptoms of chlamydia?
70% percent of women with chlamydia have no symptoms. If they do have symptoms, the symptoms usually start anywhere from one to three weeks after getting infected.
Symptoms for chlamydia can include:
These symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of gonorrhea, another type of STD.
Where can I get tested and treated for chlamydia?
You can be tested and treated for chlamydia at family planning health centers, private doctors' offices, STD clinics, hospital clinics, and health departments. If you are less than 25 years old and have ever had sexual intercourse, talk to your health care provider about getting tested for chlamydia at least once a year and more frequently if you change sex partners or have had chlamydia or other STDs before.
How is chlamydia diagnosed?
Your health care provider can diagnose chlamydia by taking a urine sample or by doing a pelvic examination and testing the cervix for chlamydia. It is important to get a test in order to tell if you have gonorrhea or chlamydia. They have very similar symptoms, but each needs a different treatment.
Is there a cure for chlamydia?
Yes! Chlamydia is easy to treat and cure. It's important that you get treated early so that more serious health problems don't occur. Both sexual partners must get treated at the same time so you don't re-infect each other. Your health care provider will prescribe antibiotics to kill the chlamydia bacteria. Your health care provider will help you figure out which treatment is best for you and your partner. Remember to take all of the prescribed medicine, even if the symptoms go away. This is because the infection can still be in your body.
Is chlamydia dangerous?
If chlamydia is not treated, it can cause serious health problems. It can cause lower abdominal pain. The infection usually begins on the cervix, but if it is not treated, it can spread to the fallopian tubes or ovaries and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to infertility or ectopic (tubal) pregnancy (pregnancy in the fallopian tubes).
How can I prevent spreading chlamydia?
If you think you have chlamydia, the first thing you should do is stop having sexual intercourse and get tested and treated. Make sure you tell all current and past sexual partners that you have chlamydia, since you could have infected them. You may find this difficult to do, but it is very important to do so that those infected can get treated before more serious health problems occur. Don't have sex until you have finished treatment and your health care provider says that you are cured. Make sure you use a condom every time you have vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
How can I avoid getting chlamydia?
The best way to keep yourself from getting chlamydia is to not have sexual intercourse. But if you decide to have sexual intercourse, make sure you use a condom every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
What types of birth control protect against chlamydia?
The only types of birth control that protect against chlamydia are male latex and polyurethane condoms and female condoms. Latex condoms are the best protection against chlamydia. Polyurethane condoms also provide some protection against STDs. Female condoms may also provide some protection, although it is not known how much since they are a new form of contraception.
Updated 8/13/2005
Related Information:
|
Looking for other health info? Check our A-to-Z Index. ©1999-2008 Center for Young Women's Health Children's Hospital Boston. All rights reserved.
About Us Health Guides By Topic
|
Printer Friendly
En Español
