​Chlamydia

• Sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria
• Very common infection among teens and young adults
  

Signs and Symptoms

Many people do not have any symptoms, and if they do develop, they can appear and disappear.

• Women: increased vaginal discharge, abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain or bleeding during or after intercourse, pain when passing urine, pain in lower abdomen (stomach)
• Men: watery or cloudy discharge from the penis, pain when passing urine or passing urine more often, tingling or itching inside of penis, pain in testicles
  

Spread

Chlamydia spreads from person to person through vaginal, anal and oral sex.

Treatment

Chlamydia is treated with specific antibiotics. Treatment is effective as long as you:

• Take all your pills as directed

• Avoid alcohol during treatment

• Have your sexual partner(s) seek treatment as well

You must not have sex for seven days after treatment.

Complications

• If not treated in women:
  
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) (infection in reproductive organs)
  • Fallopian tube and/or ovarian infertility (unable to get pregnant)
  • Ectopic pregnancy (tubal pregnancy)
    
  • Severe eye, ear or lung infections in newborn babies of infected women

• If not treated in men:
  • Infection in testicles, prostate gland
  • Infertility
    

Prevention

Always use a condom, even if you are using other methods to prevent pregnancy.

Chlamydia is a reportable disease and must be reported to the Local Medical Officer of Health under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

This information is for general knowledge only and does not replace professional medical advice. For STI testing or more information, contact our confidential sexual health clinic at 519-753-4937 ext. 471.