Both men and women can contract chlamydia and repeat infection is common. [4] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source The early stage of a chlamydial infection often has little symptoms and even when signs are present, usually within 1 to 3 weeks after infection, they may be mild. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Common symptoms of chlamydia are: painful urination, lower abdominal pain, vaginal discharge in women, discharge from the penis in men, painful sexual intercourse, bleeding between periods and after sex in women, or testicular pain in men. [6] X Research source
Tell your doctor about the symptoms you’re experiencing, signs of chlamydia that you’ve noticed, as well as if you’ve had unprotected sex. If you’ve had chlamydia in the past and are experiencing a recurrence, contact your doctor to get a prescription. [8] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
If you’re a female, your doctor may swab the discharge from your cervix or vagina and submit the sample to a laboratory for testing. [9] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source If you’re a male, your doctor may insert a slim swab into the opening of your penis and swab the discharge from your urethra. She will then submit the sample to a laboratory for testing. [10] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source If you’ve engaged in oral or anal sex, your doctor takes a swab of your mouth or anus for chlamydia testing. [11] X Trustworthy Source American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Professional association of OB/GYNs focused on education and public outreat initiatives Go to source In some cases, a urine sample may detect a chlamydia infection. [12] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
The first line treatment is azithromycin (1 g taken orally in a single dose) or doxycycline (100 mg taken orally twice daily for 7 days). [14] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Your treatment may be a one-time dose or you may need to take it daily or many times a day for 5-10 days. [15] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Your sexual partner(s) also require treatment even if they have no symptoms of chlamydia. This will keep you and your partner(s) from passing the disease back and forth between one another. [16] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Do not share your medication for chlamydia with anyone. [17] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
If you give birth and transmit chlamydia to your newborn, your doctor will treat the disease with antibiotics to prevent pneumonia or a serious eye infection in your baby. [19] X Research source Most doctors will prophylactically administer an erythromycin eye ointment to help prevent a chlamydia-related eye infection from affecting your newborn’s eyes. [20] X Research source You and your doctor should monitor your newborn for chlamydia-related pneumonia for at least the first three months of her life. [21] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source If your baby has chlamydia-related pneumonia, your doctor will likely prescribe erythromycin or azithromycin. [22] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
If you take a single dose of medication, avoid sexual activity for seven days after you take the dose. [24] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source If you take a seven day course of medication, avoid sexual activity for the duration of your treatment. [25] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Not addressing symptoms or recurrences can result in reproductive health complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, which can permanently damage reproductive organs, and ectopic pregnancy. [27] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
Continue testing for sexually transmitted infections with each new sexual partner. Recurrence of chlamydia is very common and is often treated with the same course of antibiotics. If infection recurs after a follow up test that showed no infection, this is a new infection.
Always use condoms during sexual contact. Although condoms will not eliminate your risk of getting chlamydia, they will reduce your risk. Abstain from any sexual intercourse or sexual activity, including anal and oral sex, during treatment. Abstinence can help avoid reinfection or passing the STD to your partner. The more sexual partners you have, the higher your risk of getting chlamydia is. Try to limit the number of partners you have to decrease your risk, and always use condoms with your partners. [31] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
If you are under 24 years of age you are at a higher risk for the disease. [33] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source If you’ve had multiple sex partners within the past year you are more likely to get chlamydia. [34] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Inconsistent use of condoms can significantly increase your risk of getting chlamydia. [35] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source If you have a history of sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia, you are at an increased risk of contracting the disease.
