Chlamydia is a common infection caused by bacteria
that is easy to pass on. In men, the bacteria live in the
urethra or in the vagina in women, as well as in the
throat and anus.
Symptoms
In men symptoms of Chlamydia can be:
· drops of white liquid on the end of the penis (a discharge)
· pain when passing urine.
However, most men or women who have Chlamydia do not have any symptoms.
How it is transmitted
You can get Chlamydia by having sex with someone who already has it. Chlamydia is most easily passed on through penetrative anal and vaginal sex without a condom, although it can also be transmitted on fingers from one person’s penis or vagina to another.
A pregnant woman who has Chlamydia can pass it on to her baby when it is being born.
What can you do if you think you have Chlamydia?
If you think you have Chlamydia you can go to a sexual health clinic. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/std/std2.shtml You can also visit your primary care provider.
Testing
The doctor or nurse will test you for Chlamydia by taking a small sample with cotton wool or a swab:
· In women swabs are usually taken from the cervix (entrance to the womb) and urethra.
· In men swabs are usually taken from the tip of the penis.
Having a swab taken is not painful although it may be uncomfortable.
The samples are then tested for Chlamydia.
Treatment
It is usually easy to get rid of Chlamydia with a course of antibiotics, but you have to take all the tablets you are given to kill the infection. Once you have taken the tablets the doctor will ask you to return to check that the Chlamydia has gone.
Why get treated?
It is important to get rid of Chlamydia because if it stays in your body it can lead to serious health problems, including:
· Inflammation of the testicles in men which can cause infertility (stopping a man from being able to have children).
Protect yourself and others
If you have Chlamydia it is best to tell your boyfriend or girlfriend or anyone else you have had sex with recently so that they can get a checkup. Remember that until the Chlamydia is treated, and you have taken all the antibiotics, you can still pass it on to anyone you have sex with.
Using a condom can help protect against getting Chlamydia. Remember too that using a condom will help protect you against getting or passing on other sexually transmitted infections.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/std/stdc2.shtml