Chlamydia
How to Say It: kluh-MID-ee-uh
Causes TOP
Bacteria from an infected sex partner causes the infection. This can happen during oral, genital, or anal sex.
Risk Factors TOP
The infection is most common in people under 24 years old. Other things that may raise the risk are:
- Being sexually active
- Prior STIs
- Having a new sex partner
- Having more than 1 sex partner
- Having a partner with an STI
- Having sex without a condom
Symptoms TOP
Most people do not have symptoms.
In men, symptoms may include:
- Pain when passing urine
- Pus exiting the penis
- Scrotal pain or swelling
In women, symptoms may include:
- A change in vaginal discharge
- Pain or bleeding during sex or between periods
- Belly pain
- Vaginal redness or pain
- Pain when passing urine
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Female Reproductive System OrgansCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. |
Diagnosis TOP
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. Tests for cause of infection may be done with:
- A swab of the penis, cervix, throat, or rectum
- Urine tests
Treatment TOP
Antibiotics are used to treat the infection. Sexual partners should also be treated or the infection will continue to recur.
Prevention TOP
The risk of this problem may be lowered by:
- Abstaining from oral, anal, or genital sex.
- Limiting sex to 1 partner
- Using latex condoms during sex
RESOURCES:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov
Office on Women's Health—US Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.womenshealth.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca
The Sex Information & Education Council of Canada
http://sieccan.org
REFERENCES:
Chlamydia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed October 16, 2020.
Chlamydia fact sheet. Office on Women's Health—US Department of Health and Human Services website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed October 16, 2020.
Chlamydia genital infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chlamydia-genital-infection. Accessed October 16, 2020.
Workowski KA, Bolan GA; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2015. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2015 Jun 5;64(RR-03):1-137.
2015 Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed October 16, 2020.
Last reviewed September 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Elliot M. Levine, MD, FACOG
Last Updated: 4/27/2021