Download a factsheet on chlamydia (PDF 60 KB)
What is chlamydia? How do you get chlamydia?
What are the signs and symptoms of chlamydia?
What do I do if I have chlamydia?
How do I get treated?
How do I reduce the risks of getting chlamydia?
Where can I find more information on chlamydia?
___________________________________________________________________________________
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Australia, particularly among young people aged between 16 and 29. It is serious for both men and women.
Chlamydia is caused by bacterium and can be passed on by unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex with an infected person. Pregnant women can pass chlamydia on to their babies, causing serious eye and lung infections. If you have chlamydia, it’s also easier to both catch and pass on HIV. The trouble is, most people don’t realise they have chlamydia because they don’t see or feel anything wrong. Without knowing it, they can pass it on to their partners.
You are most at risk of chlamydia if:
- you’re under 29
- youve changed sex partners in the last six months
- youve had more than one sex partner in the last six months
- you dont use condoms or dental dams
- you or your sex partner has another STI
Females : Remember, most females who have chlamydia don’t notice any signs at all.
Others notice:
- burning or pain when passing urine
- unusual vaginal discharge
- pain in the lower belly
- pain during sex
- unusual bleeding, or spotting between periods
Without early treatment, females can get infections in their cervix, uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes. This is called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. This can scar or even block the fallopian tubes (which carry eggs to the womb). It can also prevent a fertilised egg from getting into the uterus, causing an ectopic pregnancy (when the egg grows in the fallopian tube) which requires emergency surgery and can be fatal.
Males: Remember, most males who have chlamydia don’t notice any signs at all.
Others notice:
- whitish or yellow discharge from the penis
- burning or pain when passing urine
- irritation or soreness around the urethra (the opening of the penis)
Without early treatment, men can develop prostatitis (infection and swelling of the prostate gland), epididymitis (swelling in the testicles) and infertility.
Your doctor will test a sample of urine. Women also need a swab taken from the vagina (which you can do yourself if you prefer). It’s a good idea to have tests for other STIs at the same time.
If you have chlamydia you will get antibiotics. You need to take them all. Your sex partners also need to get tested and treated. Don’t have unsafe sex while you or your partner is taking the treatment. You could infect each other again. Do not drink alcohol during treatment. The alcohol stops the medicine from working properly, and you might also forget about having safe sex.
It is important to be re-tested for chlamydia three months after treatment to ensure that you have not been re-infected.
[Top of page]
The safest ways to protect against chlamydia and other STIs are to:
- Always use condoms or dental dams and water based lubricant. Condoms are the best way to protect you both from chlamydia and other STIs. Always use condoms during vaginal and anal sex, and dental dams during oral sex, until you're totally sure that both you and your partner dont' have an STI
- Have a long-term relationship where neither of you is already infected, and neither of you have other partners
- Limit your sex partners. The fewer people you have sex with, the less chance you have of having sex with someone who has chlamydia
- Have regular STI checks
Talking about STIs can be difficult, but any person you have sex with has a right to know if you have an STI. Discuss it when you’re feeling relaxed and confident, not just before you have sex. Your partner will appreciate your honesty and that you don’t want to infect him/her. You have the right to know if they’re infected, too.
[Top of page]
