What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia comes from the Greek word meaning ‘to cloak’ and is caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. The bacteria mainly infect the genitals but it can sometimes infect the throat and rectum.
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in young adults. Chlamydia is very easy to treat with antibiotics but if left untreated can cause infertility. However, many people do not know they have chlamydia as it does not always produce symptoms (around 70% of people will have no symptoms). As a result chlamydia is sometimes called the 'silent infection'.

How is chlamydia spread?

Chlamydia is spread in any of the following ways:

• Having unprotected anal or oral sex with someone who is infected.
• Occasionally, it can affect the eyes, known as trachoma. This can occur if the infection is transferred to the eyes, by fingers, which have been in contact with the genitals.

Chlamydia tends to infect women more than men.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

As mentioned previously chlamydia does not always have symptoms and symptoms if present can be mistaken for something less serious, such as thrush. Men are more likely to have symptoms than women, but they may have no symptoms either.
In men symptoms may include: -

• A discharge from the tip of the penis.
• Pain on urinating because the urethra is inflamed.
• Swelling of the testes (testicles).

If chlamydia infects the eyes, you may experience pain, swelling and irritation.

How can chlamydia be prevented?

The only way to be sure of avoiding chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections, is with the consistent use of condoms. To prevent infection the condom must be put on correctly and before any genital contact.
Remember, just because you have had chlamydia once doesn't mean you will not get it again. Every time you have unprotected sex you are at risk of chlamydia.

Am I at risk of catching chlamydia?

Anyone who has unprotected sexual intercourse may be at risk of catching chlamydia. Chlamydia is very common and because there are usually no symptoms it is very easy for the infection to be spread around, without people knowing they have got it. Chlamydia can appear in people who have not had a sexual partner for some time. This is often because his partner is infected but has no symptoms and so does not immediately pass the infection on. This doesn’t necessarily mean that your regular partner has become infected through sexual contact with someone else. Chlamydia is so common it is advised that people who have regular sex, especially those with different sexual partners should be tested once a year, even if they feel healthy.

How is chlamydia diagnosed?

A doctor or nurse will examine your genital area and a swab sample is usually taken from the tip of the penis. The swab is then sent to a laboratory for testing and the result is usually available within one week. A urine sample may also be taken.

How is chlamydia treated?

Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics that destroy the germs in your body. If you are treated for chlamydia you must make sure that you finish the course of treatment and ensure that your partner is also treated, to avoid getting infected again. During treatment you should avoid sexual intercourse to avoid re-infection. Once you have finished treatment it is important that you go back to your doctor for a check-up to make sure the infection has gone.

What are the effects of untreated chlamydia?

In men, chlamydia can cause a painful swelling of the testicles, which could also cause infertility.
Reiter's syndrome, which causes inflammation of the eyes and joints, can also develop as a result of untreated chlamydia.