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What you need to know

​Chlamydia basics

​What is chlamydia and how do you get it?

Chlamydia is a common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI). It can cause infection in the genitals, rectum, and throat. You can get chlamydia by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who is infected. You can get it even if your sex partner does not ejaculate (cum).​

What are the symptoms of chlamydia

It may be several weeks for someone to have any symptoms after having sex with an infected partner. Chlamydia often has no symptoms.

See a health care provider if you notice any of these symptoms.

• For people with a vagina, symptoms can include:

• Painful or burning sensation when peeing

• More or different vaginal discharge

• Vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex​

• For people with a penis, symptoms can include:

• A discharge from their penis

• A burning sensation when peeing

• Pain and swelling in one or both testicles (this is less common)

• People can also get chlamydia in their rectum (butt). This happens by receiving anal sex. Or it can spread from another infected site, like the vagina. Symptoms may cause:

• Rectal pain

• Discharge

• Bleeding

• Newborns exposed to chlamydia during delivery may develop:

• Eye infection with discharge that typically occurs when the baby is 10 to11 days old

• Pneumonia

If chlamydia is left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems.

• Untreated chlamydia may increase your chances of getting or giving HIV.

• In people with a vagina, untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Some of the complications of PID are:

• Scar tissue that blocks fallopian tubes

• Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb)

• Infertility (not being able to get pregnant)

• Long-term pelvic or abdominal pain

• In people with a penis, the infection can cause a fever and pain in the tubes attached to the testicles. This can, in rare cases, lead to infertility.
  
  

How do I avoid getting chlamydia? 

If you are sexually active, lower your chances of getting chlamydia.

• Have sex only with a partner(s) who has been tested and does not have chlamydia.

• Use co​ndoms.

• Have a conversation with your health care provider about STIs. Ask if you should get tested for chlamydia or other STIs.

• Ask your provider about getting treated with doxy PEP. It can be taken within 72 hours of having sex. It reduces your risk of infection from chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.​
  

Get Tested

Testing is the only way to know if you are infected. The test may use a urine (pee) sample or a swab from the infected area. Regular testing is best so you can get treatment quickly and prevent complications. Talk to your health care provider about how often you should get tested. If you think you are pregnant, tell your provider so you can be tested again.​

Find a provider

Who is most affected by chlamydia?

Any sexually active person can get chlamydia if they are exposed. Ask your health care provider if you should get tested for chlamydia or other STIs.

Some people may be more likely to be exposed to chlamydia. It is recommended they get regular testing.

You should get tested regularly for chlamydia if you:

• Are a gay or bisexual cisgender man: Get tested for chlamydia at least once per year.

• Are a cisgender woman: Get tested for chlamydia every year if you are:

• Younger than 25 years of age.

• Older than 25 years of age with risk factors, such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has an STI.

• Are pregnant: Get tested during pregnancy. A pregnant person with chlamydia can infect their baby during childbirth.​
  

What if I get chlamydia? 

Antibiotics can cure chlamydia. They could decrease your chances of having reproductive problems later. They will not undo any permanent damage caused by the disease. It is important that you take all the medication. Even if you had chlamydia before, you can get it again.  

Resources for everyone

• Condom Access for Teens

• Condoms (CDPH)

• Doxy PEP (CDPH)

• Fact Sheet on Chlamydia (CDC) (English)

• Fact Sheet on Chlamydia (CDC) (Spanish)
  

• Just Diagnosed? Next Steps After Testing Positive For Gonorrhea or Chlamydia (CDC) (English)
  

• Just Diagnosed? Next Steps After Testing Positive For Gonorrhea or Chlamydia (CDC) (Spanish)​

• Patient And Partner Education Materials for PDPT In Multiple Languages

• STI Test Sites (CDC)​
  
  

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