What is it? A bacterial infection of the genitals, anus, or throat.
What are the symptoms? Often there are no symptoms. For women they may have vaginal discharge that is discolored, bleeding (not their period), or burning and pain during urination. For men who do experience symptoms, they may have discharge or pain during urination, or burning or itching around the opening of the penis.
How do you get it? Through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. It can also be passed on during childbirth.
How do you treat it? Oral antibiotics cure the infection. Both partners must be treated at the same time. Both partners should not have sex until the infection is gone. Persons with this should also be tested for other STDs.
What are the consequences if left untreated? Increased risk of other STDs. In women, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to infertility and/or ectopic pregnancy. Men may develop pain and swelling in the testicles. Babies born to infected women can develop eye or lung infections.
Get Yourself Tested Anyone who has had sex may be at risk for an STD, even when there are no symptoms. Because chlamydia is so common and can cause infertility, annual testing is recommended for sexually active women.
Can it be prevented? There is no vaccine for chlamydia. Abstaining from sex and sexual contact is the surest way to avoid getting an STD. Using condoms every time reduces the risk of contracting STDs.