Chlamydia

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be prevented and cured. You can get this STI from oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Chlamydia is caused by bacteria which can infect the throat, rectum, and genitals (penis and vagina). Chlamydia is pronounced kluh-MID-ee-uh. If chlamydia is not treated, it can cause serious damage to your health.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Many people with chlamydia don't have any symptoms or feel sick. But even without symptoms, chlamydia can spread and cause serious health problems.

When there are symptoms, they may include:

  • Painful, frequent urination (peeing)
  • Discharge or unusual fluids from the penis, vagina, or rectum
  • Unusual fluid may be yellowish white or greenish white
  • Vaginal spotting or bleeding, between periods or during sex
  • Pain or swelling in one or both testicles
  • Bleeding, itching, or pus from the rectum
  • Painful bowel movements (pooping)

It is important to tell a health care provider if you have any of these symptoms.

How will I know if I have chlamydia?

Get tested: If you are sexually active, you should get tested for chlamydia and other STIs. It is best to get tested before you start having sex with a new partner(s). Your test results are confidential.

Even if your sex partner(s) do not have symptoms, they should be tested. If needed, they should also be treated. Don't have sex until you get your test results.

You should also get tested:

  • If you might have been exposed to chlamydia or another STI, or
  • If you have any signs or symptoms of chlamydia

3-site testing or multiple-site testing: Chlamydia can infect the genitals, throat, and rectum. 3-site testing or multiple site testing is critical to accurately detect STIs. This type of testing screens many areas of the body. It reduces the chances of missed infections, especially when no symptoms are present.

Be sure to get tested in all areas of your body that were involved in sex. This means getting a swab in your throat, rectum, and/or genitals. If only your urine is tested, an infection in another area might be missed.

What if I test positive for chlamydia?

Get treated: In most cases, chlamydia is easily cured. A health care provider will order an antibiotic for you. Don't have vaginal, anal, or oral sex until at least 7 days after you and your partner(s) finish all your medicine. This gives it time to work. It also reduces your risk of getting chlamydia again. Follow up with a health care provider to be sure you have been cured.

Talk openly to your sex partner(s): A great starting point is to tell one another if you have an STI.

What causes chlamydia?

Chlamydia is caused by bacteria that you can get from oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Chlamydia can infect the genitals, throat, and rectum.

Can chlamydia cause any other problems if it's not treated?

Yes. If chlamydia is not treated, it increases the risk of getting other STIs, like HIV, and it can cause permanent damage:

  • Untreated chlamydia can increase the chances of getting pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is an infection of the uterus, ovaries, and/or fallopian tubes. PID can make it hard to get pregnant or to carry a baby full term.
  • Untreated chlamydia can lead to the loss of the ability to make sperm.

What if I am pregnant?

If you are pregnant and have chlamydia, it is even more important to get treated by a health care provider.

Untreated chlamydia can be passed to your baby during vaginal delivery and cause serious health problems.

  • Babies are usually treated with an antibiotic soon after birth. If a baby born with chlamydia is not treated, they may become blind.

Is there a cure?

Yes. Chlamydia can be easily cured with an antibiotic from a health care provider.

If I get chlamydia, when can I have sex again?

Do not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex until at least 7 days after you and your partner(s) finish all your medicine. This gives the medicine time to work. It also reduces your risk of getting chlamydia again.

What about my sex partner(s)?

Your sex partner(s) should get tested. If they have chlamydia, they will need to take medicine to cure it.

What about Expedited Partner Treatment (EPT) for chlamydia?

If you have been diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea, and/or trichomoniasis, EPT allows health care providers to order or give medicine to you, to give to your sex partner(s). It is a proven way to prevent getting reinfected by making sure your sex partner(s) are also treated. Ask a health care provider if EPT is an option for you and your partner(s).

Can I get chlamydia again?

Yes. You can get chlamydia again. Having it once does not mean you are immune. As soon as you get chlamydia, it can be spread to your sex partner(s) until you take the correct medicine and the infection is gone.

You can get chlamydia again if your partner(s) do not take their medicine and fully clear the infection before you have sex with them. This includes oral, anal, and vaginal sex.

What can I do to reduce my chances of getting chlamydia?

  • Talk openly to your sex partner(s): A great starting point is discussing if either of you have an STI.
  • Get tested: Before having sex with a new partner, you and your partner can get tested for STIs and HIV. If you are diagnosed with an STI, get treated. No matter the results, there are sexual health options for you and your partner(s).
  • Use condoms: Use a latex or polyurethane condom every time you have oral, vaginal, or anal sex. This will lower your chances of giving or getting chlamydia. Using condoms doesn't eliminate the risk of chlamydia because they are not 100% effective. However, condoms do help prevent the spread of STIs, including HIV.
  • Use dental dams: A dental dam is a thin square of latex or other material. It can be placed over the vagina or anus during oral sex to protect you from STIs.
  • Use Doxy-PEP: This can reduce your chances of getting chlamydia. You need to take the antibiotic doxycycline 24-72 hours after condomless sex. Talk with a health care provider to see if Doxy-PEP is an option for you.
    If you are pregnant or may be pregnant, you should not take Doxy-PEP to prevent chlamydia. Doxy-PEP contains the antibiotic doxycycline (pronounced dock-see-SIGH-clin). It can harm your unborn baby.
  • Avoid having vaginal, oral, or anal sex. This is called abstinence.

Where can I get tested?

To find your local STI clinic, call your local health department or family planning program. Or, visit the Provider Directory.

You can also find a testing center near you at gettested.cdc.gov or by calling the H-Line at 1-800-541-2437.