STD Overview: Chlamydia Signs, Symptoms & Treatment
Written by Leslie K. Hughes
Chlamydia.
You may have heard of it, but how much do you know about it?
We’ll start with the big facts.
Did you know that chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States? According to the CDC, there are approximately 1.7 million cases of chlamydia every year. And most of those cases happen in people between the ages of 15 and 24.
Since this is such a common STD, it is important that you have the information you need, should chlamydia ever be a concern or a part of your life.
Let’s get into more detail about this STD by answering some of the most common chlamydia questions.
What causes chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a disease that is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It is typically spread through contact with infected body fluids such as semen or vaginal fluids.
How do I protect myself against chlamydia?
The best way to avoid getting chlamydia is to abstain from sex. However, there are other options.
One is to use condoms to protect yourself from coming into direct contact with someone who is infected. Another is to get regularly tested for STDs. This helps keep the spreading of this disease to a minimum.
How do I know if I have chlamydia?
One of the reasons that chlamydia is so widespread is because it is a “silent infection.” This means that not everyone who has the disease shows symptoms.
Two studies estimated that only about 10% and between 5-30% of women who have confirmed cases of chlamydia develop symptoms.
In turn, this causes people to unknowingly pass it. This is where the importance of getting tested regularly really gains momentum.
Even if you don’t feel you have chlamydia or any other STD, it is always best to err on the safe side and get tested if you are sexually active.
What are the first symptoms of chlamydia?
Those who experience symptoms from chlamydia often don’t see them for a few weeks after being exposed.
For women, this disease infects the cervix and may show up as cervicitis which looks like discharge, bleeding, and frequent urinating. If the disease is not treated, it can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes where it may cause pelvic inflammatory disease.
For men, the disease shows up as urethritis which looks like discharge. A small number of men may develop epididymitis that looks like pain, tenderness, and swelling in the testicles.
What is the treatment for chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a curable sexually transmitted disease and simply requires a round of prescription antibiotics. These antibiotics should be strong enough to cure the disease and help prevent any further issues.
However, antibiotics do not protect you from future reinfection, which is quite common.
If you are suffering from chlamydia discharge, do not use over-the-counter remedies such as douches to help. This will only make the problem worse. By taking the antibiotics correctly, the discharge should clear up on its own fairly quickly.
Should my partners be treated for chlamydia as well?
Yes. Even if your sexual partners are not showing symptoms, anyone you’ve had sex with 60 days before your chlamydia diagnosis should be treated for the disease as well. This ensures that the infection does not get passed back and forth between you, or to other people.
Each infected person needs their own antibiotics and these should never be shared. The only way to get rid of chlamydia is to take the full prescription of antibiotics, even once symptoms have subsided.
Chlamydia is the most common STD in L.A. county and one of the most common STDs in the United States, so it’s important to practice safety whenever you’re sexually active.
