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What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It can occur in both men and women. It is easily treated and cured with antibiotics.
How is chlamydia transmitted?
Chlamydia can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Common scenarios include:
Sharing sex toys that are not washed or covered with a new condom each time they are used
Your genitals touching your partner's
Infected semen or vaginal fluid getting into your eye
Pregnant women can also transmit chlamydia to their babies.
Chlamydia cannot be spread through casual contact, such as kissing and hugging, or from sharing bathtubs, towels, swimming pools, toilet seats, or cutlery.
What are the symptoms of chlamydia?
Symptoms of early infection often go unnoticed. When they occur, they are usually mild and appear one to three weeks after exposure.
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Complications from chlamydia include:
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), resulting in chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and pregnancy outside the uterus due to permanent scarring of the fallopian tubes
Conjunctivitis, if the eyes become contaminated with infectious secretions
Fever, scrotal pain, swelling, and sterility in men
Reactive arthritis in very rare cases
What are the risk factors?
Risk factors include:
Unprotected sex with an infected person
Having multiple sexual partners
Inconsistent condom use
Exchanging sex for money or drugs
History or current presence of other STIs
How to treat chlamydia?
Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics.
The infection usually resolves within one to two weeks. Visit your doctor to test for chlamydia if you are unsure of your partner’s STI status or you have a new sexual partner.
How to prevent chlamydia?
Ways to prevent chlamydia include:
Using condoms correctly and consistently
Limiting the number of sexual partners
Getting tested for STIs regularly