sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Chlamydia

Chlamydia
1. What is it?
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually
transmitted infections (STIs), particularly amongst
teenagers and young adults. It's caused by
bacteria and is spread by having unprotected sex
-- vaginal, anal, or oral -- with someone who is
infected, even though they may not have any
symptoms .
2. How do I know if I have it?
You can have Chlamydia for a long time before
symptoms show up. In fact, many people never
have symptoms. 70% of women and 50% of men
who have Chlamydia may not show symptoms.
So even if you don't have any symptoms, you
might be spreading it to others during
unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex.
The symptoms in women are:
Increased vaginal discharge.
Vaginal itching.
Bleeding between periods.
Bleeding during or after sex.
Pain in your lower abdomen.
Burning feeling when you pee.
The symptoms in men are:
A watery discharge coming from your penis.
Burning or itching around the tip your penis.
Needing to pee a lot.
Burning feeling when you pee.
Pain in your testicles.
3. How do I get it?
By having unprotected vaginal sex (penis in
vagina), anal sex, or oral sex (mouth to penis or
vagina) with a person who already has it.
It can also be spread by transferring the infection
from the genitals to your fingers to your eyes.
Remember, having unprotected sex with someone
is risky because they can have Chlamydia and not
even know it.
4. How do I get tested?
The only way to know for sure if you or your
partner has Chlamydia or any STI is to get tested.
You can get tested at a Peel Public Health
Healthy Sexuality Clinic ( by appointment only),
your local walk-in clinic, or your family doctor.
The test for women involves taking a swab from
the cervix (the opening of the uterus.) For men,
the doctor or nurse will take a swab of the
opening of the penis (the urethra), or they may
take a urine sample.
5. How is it treated?
Chlamydia is treated using specific antibiotics
prescribed by your doctor. You should not have
any sex, including oral sex, until you have finished
all of the treatment and have had a follow-up
test (test of cure) to make sure the infection is
gone.
Your sexual partners need to be advised and get
tested and treated for Chlamydia, whether or not
they have symptoms.
If left untreated, Chlamydia is one of the main
causes of infertility in men and women. This
means you may not be able to have children in
the future. Untreated Chlamydia can also lead to
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women.
REMEMBER: Using condoms every time you have
sex can lower your chances of getting an STI and
HIV/AIDS.