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Chlamydia
What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is the most common sexually
transmitted disease. 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 or noticed the symptoms.
Who is most likely to get Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is most common among:
-
People who
have more than one sexual partner
-
People
whose sexual partners have more than one partner
-
People who
don't use condoms
-
People with
a history of STDs
-
People
under age 25
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
usually 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:
-
Bleeding
between menstrual periods
-
Vaginal
bleeding after intercourse
-
Pain in the
abdomen
-
Pain during
intercourse
-
Fever
-
A burning
feeling when urinating
-
The need to
urinate more than usual
-
A new or
different discharge from the vagina
-
Pain,
itching, bleeding, and/or mucus discharge of the rectum (for
Chlamydia in the anus)
-
Redness,
itching, and/or discharges of the eyes (for Chlamydia in the eyes)
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 Planned Parenthood or other family planning health
centers, private doctors' offices, STD clinics, hospital clinics,
and health departments. These places will also usually offer
counseling.
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. There are different types of antibiotics. 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. You also should be
careful not to spread any sexual fluids into your eyes, since
Chlamydia can infect the eyes.
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; natural (lambskin) condoms do not. Female condoms
may also provide some protection, although it is not known how
much since they are a new form of contraception. |