Chlamydia (kluh-MID-ee-uh) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
What Are STDs?
STDs (also called
sexually transmitted infections or STIs) are infections that spread through sex (vaginal,
oral, or anal). Some STDs can spread through close contact with the genitals or body
fluids.
How Do People Get Chlamydia?
Chlamydia spreads through sex (vaginal, oral, or anal) with someone who has the
infection.
Many people with chlamydia have no symptoms. They can spread the infection to others
without knowing it.
What Causes Chlamydia?
A type of
, Chlamydia trachomatis, causes chlamydia.
How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed?
To find out if someone has chlamydia, health care providers do tests on:
fluid or discharge from the vagina, urethra, eye, or anus
urine (pee)
How Is Chlamydia Treated?
Health care providers treat chlamydia with antibiotics. All sexual partners from
the past 2 months need treatment too, even if they don't have signs of chlamydia.
People can get chlamydia again if:
their partners aren't treated with antibiotics
they get treated but then have sex with someone else who has chlamydia
in guys: swelling in the testicles
and tubes at the back of the testicles, possibly preventing a man from fathering kids
later on
joint problems
Can Chlamydia Be Prevented?
The only way to prevent chlamydia and other STDs is to not
have sex (oral, vaginal, or anal). If someone decides to have sex, using a latex
condom every time can prevent
most STDs.
Anyone who is sexually active should get tested for STDs every year (or more often
if recommended by their health care provider).
