ChlamydiaSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Chlamydia
Chlamydia is an infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is most often spread through sexual contact.
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
In men, chlamydia may cause symptoms similar to gonorrhea. Symptoms may include:
- Burning feeling during urination
- Discharge from the penis or rectum
- Tenderness or pain in the testicles
- Rectal discharge or pain
Symptoms that may occur in women include:
- 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
- Vaginal discharge or bleeding after intercourse
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.
Rebecca Guy practices practicing medicine in Kensington, Australia. Ms. Guy is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Chlamydia. She is also highly rated in 16 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Chlamydia, HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, Ileostomy, and Endoscopy.
UC Regents UCLA DMPG Century City
Jeffrey Klausner is an Infectious Disease provider practicing medicine in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Klausner is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Chlamydia. He is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia, and HIV/AIDS.
John Kaldor practices practicing medicine in Kensington, Australia. Mr. Kaldor is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Chlamydia. He is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Scabies, Impetigo, Chlamydia, and Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye).
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 sex
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.
Summary: The investigators are conducting a study in Botswana to see if offering STI testing along with expanded HIV prevention options (PrEP) helps more pregnant women start and continue using PrEP during and after pregnancy. Pregnant women (n=600) seeking antenatal care in Botswana will be enrolled and randomly assigned to receive the standard of care (standard STI assessment with no STI testing) versus ...
Summary: The goal of this observational study is to learn if we can identify immune biomarkers in first-void urine and vaginal brush samples in Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) positive adult women. Participants will self-collect a first-void urine sample, self-collect a vaginal brush, and a blood sample will be collected by a healthcare worker. Participants will complete a questionnaire.
Published Date: April 16, 2024
Published 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.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Getting tested for STIs. www.cdc.gov/sti/testing/. Updated April 9, 2024. Accessed July 24, 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/.