WHAT IS CHLAMYDIA?
Chlamydia (cla-mid-ee-ah) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a type of bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. It can spread from person to person during sexual intercourse (anal and vaginal) when a person's mucous membranes come into contact with the semen or anal or vaginal secretions of an infected person. It can be transmitted without complete insertion of a penis into the vagina or anus. It is less likely, although possible, to be transmitted to the throat during oral sex. Chlamydia infections are treatable and curable with antibiotics.

WHY WORRY ABOUT CHLAMYDIA?
In men, untreated chlamydial infections can lead to prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland), urethral scarring, infertility, or epididymitis (inflammation of the cord-like structure at the back of the testes).

If you are HIV positive and have chlamydia, inflamed genital tissues contain highly concentrated amounts of the virus, causing 8-10 times more HIV to be shed in your semen or vaginal secretions. If you are HIV negative and have chlamydia, your immune cells are especially susceptible to HIV if your partner is carrying the virus. Rectal chlamydia may increase chances of getting HIV ten to twenty-fold.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Symptoms usually appear from one to three weeks after infection, but then go away, even if left untreated. Many people infected with chlamydia never have any symptoms at all.

Men may experience discharge from the head of the penis or the anus; pain or itching at the head of the penis; and/or pain with urination. 50% of infected men have no symptoms.

WHAT IS A CHLAMYDIA TEST LIKE?
A complete examination for chlamydia includes taking a sexual history, examining any symptoms you might be having and testing a sample of your genital secretions with a swab. In addition, there is a chlamydia test that can be done on a urine sample. The exact test(s) done will depend on where you go for your exam.

Some providers recommend that you get tested for gonorrhea at the same time as your chlamydia test. Talk to your provider about the options available to you when you go to get tested.

HOW IS CHLAMYDIA TREATED?
Antibiotics cure chlamydia. It is very important to take all the pills you are given even if you feel better, so the bacteria are completely wiped out.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVE CHLAMYDIA?
Your sex partner(s) must be examined and treated too, because otherwise they can give the infection back to you and/or infect others. You need to abstain from sex for one week from when the antibiotics were started. If you still have symptoms after you've completed the treatment, it's important to go back to your provider for a check-up.

Once you are treated and cured of chlamydia, you can be re-infected if you're exposed to the bacteria again.

HOW DO I AVOID GETTING CHLAMYDIA?
The risk for chlamydia is directly related to the number of sex partners you have: The more sex partners, the greater the risk of contracting it. Having more sex with fewer partners reduces your risk of getting chlamydia.

Abstinence is the only way to completely avoid getting chlamydia or other STDs. If you're sexually active, using condoms consistently and correctly for oral, anal and vaginal sex is your best bet for staying sexually healthy. Since chlamydia can be passed even if the penis or tongue does not completely enter into the vagina or rectum, it's important to use a condom from the very beginning to end of sexual contact.