What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria.
What are the symptoms of chlamydia?
Many people with chlamydia often have no symptoms and can unknowingly pass chlamydia on to others during sex. It may take 2 to 6 weeks after exposure for symptoms to appear.
Women may experience:
- new or different discharge from the vagina
- pain in the lower abdomen, sometimes with fever and chills
- burning sensation when urinating
- pain during sex
- red, itchy, watery eyes or discharge from the eyes
- itching or burning around the anus
- pus or mucus discharge in stool
- mild to severe pain during bowel movements
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
Men may experience:
- watery or milky discharge from the penis
- burning or itching at the end of the penis
- burning sensation when urinating
- swelling or pain in the testicles
- red, itchy, watery eyes, or discharge from the eyes
- itching or burning around the anus
- pus or mucus discharge in the stools
- mild to severe pain during bowel movements
How is chlamydia spread?
Chlamydia is passed from person-to-person during sex (oral, vaginal or anal). It can also be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.
How is chlamydia diagnosed?
- Urine samples are collected.
- Swab specimens are taken from a woman’s cervix, the tip of a man’s penis, or from the throat or rectum.
Testing and treatment of your recent sexual partner(s) is recommended whether they have symptoms or not.
Testing for chlamydia and other STIs, as well as general sexual health services, is available at our Elm Place office in Sudbury and through our offices in Chapleau, Espanola, Sudbury East and on Manitoulin Island. For more information phone 705.522.9200 or call us toll-free at 1.866.522.9200.
STI testing
- Our Sexual Health Clinics offer free, confidential testing and counselling services.
How is chlamydia treated?
Chlamydia is treated with one of the following antibiotics:
How is chlamydia prevented?
- Practice safe sex.
- Talk to your partner(s) about their STI status.
- Get tested if you are sexually active.
Source:
http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/health-sante/sexual-sexuelle/chlamyd-eng.php