Chlamydia
What is it and how is it passed on?
Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and is easily transmitted.
It usually infects the genitals of both men and women, but can also infect the throat, rectum and eyes.
It's particularly common in young people, but can affect anyone who's sexually active.
Chlamydia is a 'silent' infection - people commonly have no symptoms but can still pass on the infection to a sexual partner. Chlamydia is mainly passed from one person to another through:
- vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner
- oral sex, although this is less common
- sharing sex toys
It can also be passed from a mother to her baby at birth.
You can't catch chlamydia from kissing, hugging, sharing baths, towels, cups, plates, cutlery, or from toilet seats or swimming pools.
Signs and symptoms
Around 70 per cent of women and 50 per cent of men who have chlamydia show no symptoms at all; others may have symptoms so mild they aren't noticed.
Symptoms in women:
- an unusual vaginal discharge
- pain when passing urine
- bleeding between periods
- pain during sex or bleeding after sex
- low abdominal pain
Symptoms in men:
- white/cloudy, watery discharge from the tip of the penis
- pain or a burning sensation when passing urine
- testicular pain and/or swelling
Testing and treatment
The tests for chlamydia aren't usually painful but they may be uncomfortable. Either a urine test is done or a swab is taken from the urethra (the tube where urine comes out), the cervix (entrance to the womb), rectum, throat or eye.
Cervical smear tests and blood tests don't detect infections such as chlamydia.
Chlamydia is simple to treat with antibiotics, either a single dose or a course lasting up to two weeks. To avoid reinfection, any sexual partners should be treated too. If complications occur, another treatment may be needed.
Once chlamydia has been successfully treated, it won't come back unless a new infection is picked up.
What happens if it isn't treated?
Without treatment, the infection can spread to other parts of the body causing damage and serious long-term health problems, including infertility.
In women, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease. This can lead to:
- ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the womb)
- blocked fallopian tubes (the tubes which carry the egg from the ovaries to the womb), which can result in reduced fertility or infertility
- long-term pelvic pain
- early miscarriage or premature birth
Chlamydia can be safely treated during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but if untreated can cause an eye infection or pneumonia in the baby at birth.
In men, chlamydia can lead to:
- painful inflammation of the testicles, which may result in fertility problems
- Reiter's syndrome (inflammation of the joints, urethra and eyes)
Where to go for help and advice
To find out details of how to access testing for chlamydia locally please click on this link
You can talk to your GP or go to a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. Such clinics diagnose and treat all STIs for free. They're completely confidential and your GP won't be informed without your consent.
You can go to any clinic in the country for advice or treatment.
To find a clinic:
To find details of a clinic in Bolton click here
- look in your local phone directory or search the internet under genitourinary medicine (GUM), sexually transmitted disease (STD) or venereal disease (VD)
- call fpa's helpline on 0845 310 1334 or visit www.fpa.org.uk
- call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, and NHS 24 on 08454 242424 if you live in Scotland.
How to avoid STIs
1. Before you have sex, talk to your partner about how to protect yourselves.
2. A male or female condom can provide protection from most STIs if used correctly every time you have sex.
3. Become familiar with how to use condoms and have a supply ready.
4. Seek advice straight away if you think you've been at risk.
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