What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common s*xually transmitted infection caused by bacteria. Chlamydia infections are treatable and curable. However, their symptoms often go unnoticed. It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious complications and permanent damage to reproductive organs.

How common is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI. Approximately 1.5 million cases of chlamydia are reported each year. The number of infections is likely even higher. Most chlamydia cases are asymptomatic, meaning there are no signs or symptoms of infection. Many of these cases likely go unreported.

Certain demographic characteristics may increase the risk of a chlamydia diagnosis. People at highest risk for chlamydia are:

• Adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 24:  More than half of chlamydia cases diagnosed in the United States occur in this age group. The rate is higher among women, so health professionals often recommend chlamydia testing if you are between the ages of 15 and 24.
• Men who have sex with men:  Chlamydia infections disproportionately affect men who have sex with men compared to those who have sex with women.
• Black and non-Hispanic people: Chlamydia infections disproportionately affect non-Hispanic Black populations.

Higher transmission rates in certain groups are less related to s*xual behavior than to social media and lack of access to STI prevention resources. For example, chlamydia is more likely to be transmitted person-to-person in communities with higher infection rates. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends chlamydia screening as part of regular medical care.

What are the Symptoms of Chlamydia?

Early Chlamydia trachomatis infections typically cause few symptoms. Even when they do occur, they are often mild. Therefore, they can easily go unnoticed, hence the importance of regular screening.

Symptoms of a Chlamydia trachomatis infection may include:

• Painful urination
• Vaginal discharge
• Penile discharge
• Painful vaginal intercourse
• Vaginal bleeding between periods and after sex
• Testicular pain

Depending on s*xual activity, Chlamydia trachomatis can infect the eyes, throat, or rectum.

Eye infections, called conjunctivitis, cause redness and irritation of the inside of the eyelid. In the throat, the infection may be asymptomatic or cause a sore throat. In the rectum, the infection may be asymptomatic or cause pain, discharge, or rectal bleeding.

How do you get chlamydia?

You can get chlamydia through unprotected s*x with an infected person. Unprotected sex involves vaginal, oral, or anal s*x without a condom. A newborn can get chlamydia from their mother during childbirth. You can't get chlamydia through toilet training, swimming pools, hot tubs, or everyday contact.

Risk factors

People who have s*x before age 25 are at higher risk of getting chlamydia than older people. Younger people are more likely to have several risk factors.

Risk factors for chlamydia include:

• The absence or incorrect use of condoms;
• Low utilization of health services to prevent and treat s*xually transmitted infections;
• New or multiple sexual partners;
• Changing sexual partners before being informed of the chlamydia infection.

How is chlamydia diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose chlamydia by sending a urine sample or a vaginal, cervical, anal, or throat swab to a laboratory.

Collecting the sample is easy. You can do it yourself or consult a health professional.

Tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea are often performed simultaneously, as many people are infected with both. It is also advisable to be tested for other STIs at the same time.

Chlamydia is a notifiable disease in Australia. This means that health authorities must be informed of any case of chlamydia. This allows for monitoring of the infection. It is important to try to contain outbreaks, as chlamydia can cause long-term complications.

How long can you have chlamydia without knowing it?

Chlamydia is sometimes referred to as a silent infection because most people with chlamydia, regardless of s*x, do not experience symptoms.

Those who do experience symptoms often don't recognize the signs of chlamydia until a few weeks after infection. Because chlamydia is often asymptomatic, it's easy to unwittingly infect someone else. It's also easy to miss the necessary treatment to prevent the serious complications that can result.

How is chlamydia treated?

Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics in about one to two weeks. But don't stop treatment just because your symptoms improve. Talk to your doctor about the follow-up care you need to ensure the infection is cured after finishing treatment. A chlamydia infection can recur.

Antibiotics can cure the infection, but they can't reverse the damage the bacteria may have caused to the body before treatment. That's why it's so important to get tested for chlamydia regularly, see your doctor at the first sign of symptoms, and get treatment immediately if you become infected.

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