Chlamydia

What is Chlamydia and how is it spread?
Chlamydia is a bacteria that can be spread from one person to another through sexual contact. It may infect the throat as well as the reproductive system of both males and females. It is also possible for an infected mother to pass the infection to her infant at birth.

How can I prevent it?

• Get tested for Chlamydia any time that you (or your partner) have a new sexual partner.
• Practice safe sex. Always use a barrier method, like condoms and dental dams. It is important to use these methods during vaginal, oral and anal sex to be protected.

How can I get tested?
Chlamydia testing can be done with either a urine sample or by taking a culture with a swab from your cervix.

What are the symptoms?
Most of the time there are no symptoms at all. Some possible symptoms could be irregular vaginal bleeding, abnormal discharge from the vagina, pain with intercourse or during urination.

What is the treatment?
Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your health care provider.

What could happen if it is left untreated?
For females, Chlamydia may case pelvic inflammatory disease, which is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and surrounding tissues. This infection can lead to infertility (inability to get pregnant), increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth and ectopic pregnancy.

How common is it?
It is estimated that there are 2.8 million people infected with Chlamydia in the United States every year.

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