What Is the STD Chlamydia ?
Chlamydia is a common bacterial STD that is easily curable with prescription antibiotics.
It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis
and is the most commonly reported STD in the U.S.
An estimated 2.86 million Americans get chlamydia each year.
Most people who have chlamydia don’t show any symptoms,
but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get tested.
If chlamydia is left untreated, it can cause irreversible
damage to your reproductive system or even infertility.
How Long To Wait After Having Unprotected Sex To Be Tested?
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What are the symptoms of the STD Chlamydia
Many people with chlamydia don’t have noticeable symptoms.
When Chlamydia symptoms do appear,
they typically present themselves
1-3 weeks after exposure to the bacteria.
For women, symptoms can include:
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Painful or burning sensation during urination
If the infection spreads, women can experience
abdominal and pelvic pain, fever, nausea,
bleeding between periods, and pain during sex.
For men, symptoms can include:
- Painful or burning sensation during urination
- Unusual discharge from the penis
- Pain and swelling in one or both testicles
For both men and women, symptoms of
rectal infection may include rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding.
Is Chlamydia serious?
Although chlamydia does not usually cause any symptoms
and can normally be treated with a short course of antibiotics,
it can be serious if it’s not treated early on.
If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts
of your body and lead to long-term health problems,
such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID),
epididymo-orchitis (inflammation of the testicles) and infertility.C
How Do You Get The STD Chlamydia ?
Chlamydia is spread through vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
It can also be spread via shared sex toys.
In addition, chlamydia can be passed from mother to infant during vaginal childbirth,
causing pneumonia and eye damage in the newborn.
Screening and treatment of chlamydia in pregnant women
is the best way to prevent neonatal chlamydia.
Who Can Catch The Chlamydia STD?
Anyone who is sexually active can get chlamydia,
especially if they are having unprotected sex.
However, certain groups of people are at higher risk because of behavioral and biological factors.
Chlamydia is particularly common in
young people ages 15-24, who account for almost two-thirds of all chlamydia cases.
Female anatomy can also put women at an increased risk of STD infection.
Compared to the skin of the penis, the thinner,
more delicate lining of the vagina is easier for the bacteria to penetrate.
An estimated 1 in 20 sexually active young
women between ages 14-24 has chlamydia.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are also
at a higher risk and can get chlamydia via oral and anal sex.
How Often Should You Test for Chlamydia?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC)
recommends at least yearly chlamydia screenings for:
- Women under 25
- Women older than 25 if they have risk factors like new or multiple sex partners or partners with an STD
The CDC also recommends that pregnant women get tested for chlamydia.
All pregnant women should be screened for
chlamydia during their first prenatal visit.
Retesting in the third trimester is recommended for pregnant women younger than 25.
How Do You Prevent Chlamydia?
Abstinence is the only way to be sure you will not get chlamydia or any other STD.
You can decrease your risk of contracting chlamydia by:
- Using a latex condom or dental dam every time you have oral, vaginal, or anal sex
- Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone who has tested negative
- Limiting the number of sexual partners
- Avoiding douching, which can decrease good vaginal bacteria and increase the risk of infection
If you or your partner(s) have symptoms or you
think you may be infected, get tested before having sex again.
If you test positive and get treated, you
should notify your current and recent sex partners so they can get checked and treated too.
Speaking openly with your partner(s) about
sexual health and getting regularly tested
(even when you don’t have symptoms) helps you know your status and protect your health.
