Chlamydia
The Facts
Take steps to
protect yourself

Chlamydia is a bacterial
infection

Most frequently
reported sexually
transmitted disease in
the United States

Can be transmitted
during vaginal, anal, and
oral sex

Known as a “silent”
disease because about
three quarters of infected women and half
of infected men have no
symptoms
 Use a condom
for every sexual
act
 Limit your
number of sexual
partners
 Get tested with a
new partner
 Communicate
openly with your
partner
 Get tested
regularly
If you have questions
that have not been answered or have personal concerns, please
contact our
Sexual Health Educator, Pam Szczygiel,
CSW,
ps459@drexel.edu
215-895-6072

Symptoms
In 2007 there were
1,108,374 reported
cases of Chlamydia in
the United States

Women who do
experience symptoms
might have abnormal
vaginal discharge, a
burning feeling while
peeing, abdominal
pain, lower back pain,
nausea, fever, pain
during intercourse, or
bleeding between
periods

Men with signs or
symptoms might have
discharge from their
penis, a burning feeing
while peeing, or a
burning itching feeling
around the opening of
the penis
Treatment

Chlamydia can be easily
treated with a round of
antibiotics

Make sure that your
partner also seeks
treatment to avoid
re-infection

Untreated infection in
women can cause pelvic
inflammatory disease
(PID)

PID can cause permanent damage to the
fallopian tubes, uterus,
and other tissues

If not treated this can
cause infertility

In men infection can
sometimes spread to the
epididymis (the tube
that carries sperm from
the testis) causing pain,
fever, and in rare cases
sterility