Chlamydia

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. Chlamydia is spread by having unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. Chlamydia is the most common STD in the U.S. Every year in the U.S. about 2.9 million people get infected with Chlamydia.

What are the signs or symptoms of Chlamydia?

Usually people who are infected with Chlamydia have no symptoms. That is why most people don’t know that they are infected. If you do get symptoms it can take weeks for them to appear. Chlamydia symptoms for women can include pain in the belly, abnormal vaginal discharge, blood loss between periods, and painful urinating. Men can also experience painful urination, abnormal discharge from the penis, swelling around the anus and a painful feeling on or around the penis.

How do you get it?

Chlamydia is spread by having unprotected vaginal and/or anal sex. In rare cases, it can be spread during oral sex or if you touch your eye with your hand. A mother can also pass it on to her baby during birth. Chlamydia can be passed along even if the penis or tongue doesn’t fully enter the vagina or anus. The best way to protect yourself is by using a condom 100% of the time.

How do I get tested for Chlamydia?

You can come to our facility and our friendly, trained staff will collect a urine sample and will send it out to the lab. Most results come back within 24-48 hrs. You can come in and pick up the results or we can mail or fax them to you. It is important that you haven’t urinated 1 hr before you come to our facility.

Is there a treatment for chlamydia?

Yes, there is. Chlamydia can easily be treated with antibiotics. It is important that both you and your partner(s) get treated. Please follow your doctor’s instructions.

What if I don’t get it treated?

If Chlamydia doesn’t get treated it can have serious consequences for your health. In women affected by Chlamydia almost half can develop PID (pelvic inflammatory disease). PID, if not treated, can lead to infertility or increase the chance of having a tubal pregnancy. In men, it can cause an infection of the testicles and prostate, which can also lead to sterility.