BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuChlamydiaChlamydia is an infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is most often spread through sexual contact. Causes Both males and females may have chlamydia. However, they may not have any symptoms. As a result, you may become infected or pass the infection to your partner without knowing it.You are more likely to become infected with chlamydia if you:Have sex without wearing a male or female condom Have more than one sexual partner Use drugs or alcohol and then have sex Have been infected with chlamydia before Symptoms In men, chlamydia may cause symptoms similar to gonorrhea. Symptoms may include:In men, chlamydiaChlamydia infection in males is usually an infection of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that drains urine from the bladder. It passes through ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article GonorrheaGonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).Read Article Now Book Mark Article Burning feeling during urination Discharge from the penis or rectum Tenderness or pain in the testicles TendernessTesticle pain is discomfort in one or both testicles. The pain can spread into the lower abdomen.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rectal discharge or pain Symptoms that may occur in women include:In womenChlamydia is an infection that can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact. This type of infection is known as sexually transmit...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Burning feeling during urination Painful sexual intercourse Rectal pain or discharge Symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), salpingitis (inflammation of the fallopian tubes), or liver inflammation similar to hepatitis Pelvic inflammatory diseasePelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman's womb (uterus), ovaries, or fallopian tubes.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SalpingitisPelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman's womb (uterus), ovaries, or fallopian tubes.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HepatitisHepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vaginal discharge or bleeding after intercourseVaginal dischargeVaginal discharge refers to secretions from the vagina. The discharge may be:Thick, pasty, or thinClear, cloudy, bloody, white, yellow, or greenOdor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests If you have symptoms of a chlamydia infection, your health care provider will collect a sample for culture or a test called a nucleic acid amplification.In the past, testing required an exam by a provider. Today, very accurate tests can be done on urine samples or vaginal swabs. Results take 1 to 2 days to come back. Your provider may also check if you have other types of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Common STIs are:Gonorrhea HIV Syphilis Hepatitis HerpesHerpesHerpes viral culture of a lesion is a laboratory test to check if a skin sore is infected with the herpes virus.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Even if you have no symptoms, you may need a chlamydia test if you:Are 24 years old or younger and sexually active (get tested every year) Are any age and have an increased risk for chlamydia infection such as having a new sexual partner, more than one partner or a partner with an STI Treatment The most common treatment for chlamydia is an antibiotic.Both you and your sexual partners must be treated. This will ensure that you do not pass the infection back and forth. A person may become infected with chlamydia many times.You and your partner are asked to abstain from sexual intercourse during the time of treatment.A follow-up may be done in 4 weeks to see if the infection has been cured. Outlook (Prognosis) Antibiotic treatment almost always works. You and your partner should take the medicines as directed.If chlamydia spreads into your uterus and fallopian tubes, it can cause scarring. Scarring can make it harder for you to get pregnant.You can help prevent infection with chlamydia by:Finishing your antibiotics when you are treated Making sure your sexual partners also take antibiotics Talking to your provider about being tested for chlamydia Going to see your provider if you have symptoms Wearing condoms and practicing safer sexSafer sexSafe sex means taking steps before and during sex that can prevent you from getting an infection, or from giving an infection to your partner....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have symptoms of chlamydia.Many people with chlamydia may not have symptoms. Therefore, many sexually active adults should be screened for the infection yearly. Check with your provider about what is best for you.Open ReferencesReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website. Which STD tests should I get? www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/screeningreccs.htm. Updated December 14, 2021. Accessed May 7, 2024.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. Chlamydial infections in adolescents and adults. www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/chlamydia.htm. Updated July 22, 2021. Accessed April 22, 2024.Reno HEL, Geisler WM. Diseases caused by chlamydiae. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 294.US Preventive Services Task Force; Davidson KW, Barry MJ, et al. Screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2021;326(10):949-956. PMID: 34519796 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34519796/.AllVideoImagesTogAntibodies - illustration Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens. AntibodiesillustrationAntibodies - illustration Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens. AntibodiesillustrationRelated Information Penis(Special Topic)Epididymitis(Condition)Orchitis(Condition)Chlamydia infections in women(Condition)Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)(Condition)Infertility(Condition)Ectopic pregnancy(Condition)Conjunctivitis or pink eye(Condition)Psittacosis(Condition)Infertility in women - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 4/16/2024 Reviewed By: John D. Jacobson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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ChlamydiaChlamydia is an infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is most often spread through sexual contact. Causes Both males and females may have chlamydia. However, they may not have any symptoms. As a result, you may become infected or pass the infection to your partner without knowing it.You are more likely to become infected with chlamydia if you:Have sex without wearing a male or female condom Have more than one sexual partner Use drugs or alcohol and then have sex Have been infected with chlamydia before Symptoms In men, chlamydia may cause symptoms similar to gonorrhea. Symptoms may include:In men, chlamydiaChlamydia infection in males is usually an infection of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that drains urine from the bladder. It passes through ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article GonorrheaGonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).Read Article Now Book Mark Article Burning feeling during urination Discharge from the penis or rectum Tenderness or pain in the testicles TendernessTesticle pain is discomfort in one or both testicles. The pain can spread into the lower abdomen.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rectal discharge or pain Symptoms that may occur in women include:In womenChlamydia is an infection that can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact. This type of infection is known as sexually transmit...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Burning feeling during urination Painful sexual intercourse Rectal pain or discharge Symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), salpingitis (inflammation of the fallopian tubes), or liver inflammation similar to hepatitis Pelvic inflammatory diseasePelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman's womb (uterus), ovaries, or fallopian tubes.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SalpingitisPelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman's womb (uterus), ovaries, or fallopian tubes.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HepatitisHepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vaginal discharge or bleeding after intercourseVaginal dischargeVaginal discharge refers to secretions from the vagina. The discharge may be:Thick, pasty, or thinClear, cloudy, bloody, white, yellow, or greenOdor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests If you have symptoms of a chlamydia infection, your health care provider will collect a sample for culture or a test called a nucleic acid amplification.In the past, testing required an exam by a provider. Today, very accurate tests can be done on urine samples or vaginal swabs. Results take 1 to 2 days to come back. Your provider may also check if you have other types of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Common STIs are:Gonorrhea HIV Syphilis Hepatitis HerpesHerpesHerpes viral culture of a lesion is a laboratory test to check if a skin sore is infected with the herpes virus.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Even if you have no symptoms, you may need a chlamydia test if you:Are 24 years old or younger and sexually active (get tested every year) Are any age and have an increased risk for chlamydia infection such as having a new sexual partner, more than one partner or a partner with an STI Treatment The most common treatment for chlamydia is an antibiotic.Both you and your sexual partners must be treated. This will ensure that you do not pass the infection back and forth. A person may become infected with chlamydia many times.You and your partner are asked to abstain from sexual intercourse during the time of treatment.A follow-up may be done in 4 weeks to see if the infection has been cured. Outlook (Prognosis) Antibiotic treatment almost always works. You and your partner should take the medicines as directed.If chlamydia spreads into your uterus and fallopian tubes, it can cause scarring. Scarring can make it harder for you to get pregnant.You can help prevent infection with chlamydia by:Finishing your antibiotics when you are treated Making sure your sexual partners also take antibiotics Talking to your provider about being tested for chlamydia Going to see your provider if you have symptoms Wearing condoms and practicing safer sexSafer sexSafe sex means taking steps before and during sex that can prevent you from getting an infection, or from giving an infection to your partner....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have symptoms of chlamydia.Many people with chlamydia may not have symptoms. Therefore, many sexually active adults should be screened for the infection yearly. Check with your provider about what is best for you.Open ReferencesReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website. Which STD tests should I get? www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/screeningreccs.htm. Updated December 14, 2021. Accessed May 7, 2024.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. Chlamydial infections in adolescents and adults. www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/chlamydia.htm. Updated July 22, 2021. Accessed April 22, 2024.Reno HEL, Geisler WM. Diseases caused by chlamydiae. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 294.US Preventive Services Task Force; Davidson KW, Barry MJ, et al. Screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2021;326(10):949-956. PMID: 34519796 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34519796/.
