Chlamydia
What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the infection. Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STI in the United States, with millions of new cases each year.
The infection affects the reproductive organs and can cause serious health problems if left untreated. Women can develop pelvic inflammatory disease, which may lead to infertility or pregnancy complications. Men can experience painful inflammation of the tubes that carry sperm. The good news is that chlamydia is easily cured with antibiotics when caught early.
Most people with chlamydia do not know they have it because symptoms are often mild or absent. This makes regular testing important for anyone who is sexually active. Early detection through screening prevents complications and stops the spread to partners.
Symptoms
- Unusual discharge from the vagina or penis
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Pain during sex
- Lower abdominal pain or pelvic discomfort
- Testicular pain or swelling in men
- Bleeding between periods or after sex in women
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding if infected through anal sex
- Sore throat if infected through oral sex
About 70% of women and 50% of men with chlamydia have no symptoms at all. The infection can be present for months or years without causing any noticeable signs. This is why routine screening is so important for sexually active people under age 25 and others at higher risk.
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Causes and risk factors
Chlamydia spreads when the bacteria pass from one person to another during sexual contact. You can get chlamydia from vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner. The bacteria infect the cells lining the reproductive organs, throat, or rectum. A mother can also pass chlamydia to her baby during childbirth, which can cause eye infections or pneumonia in the newborn.
Risk factors include having multiple sexual partners, not using condoms consistently, having a history of STIs, and being between ages 15 and 24. Young women face higher risk because their cervix is not fully mature. Having chlamydia once does not protect you from getting it again. You can be reinfected if exposed to the bacteria through a new or untreated partner.
How it's diagnosed
Chlamydia is diagnosed using a laboratory test that detects the genetic material of the bacteria. The most accurate method uses a urine sample or a swab from the infected area. For urogenital chlamydia, a simple urine test can identify the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis RNA, which confirms an active infection. Women may also have a swab taken from the cervix during a pelvic exam.
Rite Aid offers chlamydia testing as an add-on to our preventive health panel. You can get tested at any Quest Diagnostics location near you. The CDC recommends annual screening for all sexually active women under 25 and for older women with risk factors such as new or multiple partners. Men who have sex with men should be screened at least once a year.
Treatment options
- Antibiotics prescribed by a doctor, usually azithromycin or doxycycline
- Complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve
- Avoid all sexual activity for 7 days after starting treatment
- Notify all recent sexual partners so they can get tested and treated
- Get retested 3 months after treatment to check for reinfection
- Use condoms consistently to prevent future infections
- Limit number of sexual partners and discuss STI testing with new partners
- Consider long-acting reversible contraception along with condoms for dual protection
Need testing for Chlamydia? Add it to your panel.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Most people with chlamydia notice no symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, they usually show up 1 to 3 weeks after exposure. The first signs often include unusual discharge from the genitals or a burning feeling when urinating. Some people experience pain in the lower abdomen or during sex.
Chlamydia testing uses either a urine sample or a swab from the infected area. The urine test is simple and does not require a physical exam. Women may have a swab collected from the cervix during a pelvic exam. The test looks for genetic material from the bacteria to confirm infection.
No, chlamydia does not go away without treatment. The infection will remain in your body and can cause serious complications over time. Antibiotics are needed to clear the bacteria. Without treatment, chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, or chronic pain.
Antibiotics cure chlamydia quickly and easily. A single dose of azithromycin works within 7 days. Doxycycline taken twice daily for 7 days is also effective. You should avoid sex for 7 days after starting treatment to prevent spreading the infection.
Chlamydia does not spread through kissing, hugging, or sharing food and drinks. The bacteria need direct contact with infected genital fluids or mucous membranes. You can get chlamydia through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner.
The CDC recommends annual testing for all sexually active women under 25. Older women with risk factors like new or multiple partners should also test yearly. Men who have sex with men should screen at least once a year. Anyone with symptoms or an infected partner should get tested right away.
Untreated chlamydia can cause serious long-term problems. In women, it may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which damages the reproductive organs and causes infertility. In men, it can cause painful swelling of the tubes that carry sperm. Both men and women risk developing reactive arthritis from chronic infection.
Chlamydia can come back if you are exposed to the bacteria again. Having chlamydia once does not make you immune. You can get reinfected from an untreated partner or a new partner who has the infection. This is why partner notification and treatment are so important.
Sexual contact is the primary way chlamydia spreads between adults. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex. A pregnant person can also pass chlamydia to their baby during childbirth. The infection does not spread through casual contact like hugging, toilet seats, or sharing towels.
Yes, many people have chlamydia for months or even years without any symptoms. The infection can silently damage your reproductive system during this time. This is why regular screening is so important for sexually active people. Testing is the only way to know for sure if you have chlamydia.