What
is Chlamydia?
How
do I get Chlamydia?
What does Chlamydia do to my body?
Is there a cure for Chlamydia?
How do I find out if I have Chlamydia?
How
can I reduce my risk of getting Chlamydia?
How do I learn more about Chlamydia?
What
is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a very common sexually
transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria exchanged during
vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It is currently the most common
STI in the United States, with about 834,555 cases reported
in 2002. It is estimated that one in 10 girls test positive
for Chlamydia.
How do I get Chlamydia?
You are most likely to get Chlamydia through anal or vaginal
sex. Chlamydia is less likely to be passed on by oral sex. Also,
pregnant women can pass Chlamydia on to their newborn babies.
What does Chlamydia do to my body?
Many
times, the signs that you have Chlamydia are not very obvious.
This is why you must be extremely careful
if you notice any of the following signs:
Guys/Men
- Discharge from the penis
- Pain or burning
when peeing
Girls/Women
- Discharge from the vagina
- Pain when
peeing
- Pain when having sex
- Pain in the lower
abdomen
- Bleeding between periods
Is there a cure for Chlamydia?
Yes! Luckily,
if you treat it early, Chlamydia can
be cured with antibiotics. If you have
had the disease for a long time before you treat it, Chlamydia
can lead to a more serious disease called Pelvic Inflammatory
Disease (PID), which can cause women to not be able to have babies
in the future.
How do I find out if I have Chlamydia?
If
you have been exposed to sexual activity and notice any of the
above signs of Chlamydia, you should visit a physician's office
or clinic to get tested as soon as
possible.
How can I reduce my risk of getting Chlamydia?
Get Tested
A simple blood test can determine if
you or any of your partners have Chlamydia.
Limit Number of Partners
The fewer partners you have who are
known to be uninfected, the less chance you will get Chlamydia.
Don't Have Sex
Do not have sex or take part in any
sexual activity with anyone who is exhibiting symptoms of Chlamydia.
Protect Yourself
Use a condom or any barrier, such as
plastic wrap or dental dam, to prevent skin to skin contact
with the infected area. This method will not guarantee prevention,
but it will increase protection and is a good way to prevent
other STIs.
How do I learn more about Chlamydia?
To learn more about
Chlamydia and other STIs call:
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC)
1-800-342-2437
STI Resource Center Hotline
1-800-227-8922
Hotlines are open 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
For Information in
Spanish call:
1-800-344-7432
8:00 AM- 2:00 AM Eastern Time, 7
days a week
For Information for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
call:
1-800-243-7889
10:00 AM- 10:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday-Friday
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