Organization name: Division of Chlamydia Prevention
1)Describe the STD/STI in detail (is there a cure/treatment?)
Cause: a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis.
It infects both men and women
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported STD in the US.
It can be contracted in the urethra, cervix, rectum, or throat.
Chlamydia can lead to serious infections and even infertility if you don’t treat it. But it’s usually
easy to cure it with medicine if you catch it early. This is why regular STD testing is so
important, no matter how healthy you feel.
2)Provide a graphic (where applicable)
(Slide 1)
3)What are the symptoms? (Rare)
People with chlamydia usually don’t have symptoms, so most people don’t know they have it. If
by chance the person does present with symptoms, they may not show up until three weeks after
exposure. Self-checks are not a reliable way to diagnose the disease, even if you do have
symptoms. You need to see a healthcare provider to get tested.
-Burning sensation when peeing
-lower belly/pelvic pain
-Irregular vaginal discharge (may be yellowish and have a strong smell)
-bleeding between periods
-Irregular discharge from the penis
-swollen or tender testicles
-pain, discharge and/or bleeding around the anus
-Throat soreness
-Redness, discoloration, itching, and discharge around the eyes
-Discharge from the rectum
-Frequent urination
4)How does a person know if they have this STD/STI?
There is no way to self-test for chlamydia.
Most people misdiagnose themselves or simply don’t have them despite the symptoms.
Chlamydia can only be properly diagnosed in the clinic using specific lab tests. Testing with a
urethral swab, a swab of the cervix or vagina, or a urine test can determine whether you have an
infection and require treatment.
5)What do I do if I suspect I have this STD?
Get tested immediately and tell your partner.
6)Is there a treatment? Explain all possible treatments
Chlamydia can only be cured with antibiotic treatment usually azithromycin (Zithromax) or
doxycycline.
Also recommended your partner get treated to prevent a reoccurring infection.
7)Can it spread to another person?
Yes
8)How does a person prevent getting or spreading this STD/STI?
Preventing the spread of Chlamydia can be done in 3 main ways: testing, safe sex, and
transparency. It's currently recommended that sexually active people younger than 25 get tested
for Chlamydia every year along with the yearly Pap smear. For youth, it's recommended they get
tested multiple times during the year. It's also highly encouraged for everyone to practice safe
sex using condoms. Finally, if you find out that you have Chlamydia, your partner needs to be
told because they may also be infected despite not presenting any symptoms.