What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Chlamydia is not the same as gonorrhea and it needs to be treated with
different medications. It is caused by a bacteria which lives inside the
cells of the reproductive tract. One can have the bacteria for a long
time before symptoms show up. Many people never have symptoms. Even if
you have no symptoms, chlamydia can be spread to others during oral,
vaginal or anal sexual intercourse. Untreated chlamydia is one of the
main causes of infertility (the inability to get pregnant) in women.
What are the symptoms?
Men:
- often no symptoms
- watery discharge from penis
- burning/itching around tip of penis
- frequent passing of urine
- burning pain when passing urine
Women:
- often no symptoms
- increased vaginal discharge
- vaginal itching
- burning pain when passing urine
- pain during sexual intercourse
- bleeding after intercourse
- bleeding between menstrual periods
- pain in the lower abdomen
Are there complications?
Men: Inflammation and spread of the infection to the testicles and
prostate gland may cause a man to become sterile.
Women: Inflammation and spread of the infection to the fallopian tubes
and ovaries may cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). This can make a
woman sterile or cause a tubal pregnancy. Babies born to women with
untreated chlamydia often get severe eye and lung infections.
How is chlamydia diagnosed?
Chlamydia can be diagnosed by taking a swab from a woman's cervix or the
tip of a man's penis. Chlamydia can be diagnosed by a urine sample
testing.
How is chlamydia treated?
Chlamydia is treated with specific antibiotics. To cure chlamydia all
prescribed pills must be taken. It is important that all sexual
partner(s) be tested and treated, whether they have symptoms or not.
It is best to avoid all genital contact, especially sexual intercourse,
even with a condom, until all medication is finished.
Is follow-up important?
Yes. Clients should return to the clinic for a repeat test to make sure
the chlamydia has been cured.
Leeds,
Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit -
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