How Common Are Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Infections In The Us
The bad news is that new STI cases have been increasing year after year. There were almost 2 million new cases of chlamydia in 2019 and 600,000 new gonorrhea contaminations. And among these new cases, 61% were in people aged 15-24. Missouri alone had 42,358 new cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea in the previous year.
How Does Someone Know They Have Chlamydia Or Gonorrhea
Once again, many people dont know they have chlamydia or gonorrhea because they have no symptoms. According to estimates, only 10% of men and 5 to 30% of women have symptoms from chlamydia, and most women and many men are asymptomatic with gonorrhea, although its difficult to get clear numbers.
When someone does experience symptoms, they may include:
- Urinary issues, such as a burning or throbbing sensation when peeing
- Pain in the rectum or an abnormal discharge or bleeding in that area
Symptoms depend on the affected area. This in turn often depends on the type of sex that that person had. For example, someone may also suffer from a sore throat, a cough, or even an eye infection.
Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea is the best way for someone to know for sure. At Lifeline, we understand that asking for an STI test might be embarrassing, but untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea can lead to serious health conditions with long-term consequences.
How To Prevent Oral Chlamydia
Abstinence is the only way to completely avoid oral chlamydia. Barring that, you can lower your risk by reducing your number of sex partners.
Using condoms or dental dams consistently can also reduce the risk of either passing or getting an STD like chlamydia. This not only include external condoms but also internal condoms.
If you dont have a dental dam, you can simply cut a condom lengthwise and open it flat.
So, what can you do to stay safe?
When used correctly, condoms offer one of the most effective methods of protection against STIs, including HIV. Female condoms are also effective and safe.
We are often not aware that they may have an STI.
Read Also: Does Chlamydia Make You Itch
Can You Get An Std Without Having Sex
Brandi Jones MSN-Ed, RN-BC is a board-certified registered nurse who owns Brandi Jones LLC, where she writes health and wellness blogs, articles, and education. She lives with her husband and springer spaniel and enjoys camping and tapping into her creativity in her downtime.
Chioma Ndubisi, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who specializes in sexual and reproductive health in New York, New York.
Bloodborne infections, such as hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus , can be transmitted through nonsexual contact with infected body fluids, such as blood.
This article reviews how STDs are transmitted, ways they spread without having sex, STD prevention, and signs of an STD.
Business / Getty Images
Im Pregnant How Does Gonorrhea Affect My Baby
If you are pregnant and have gonorrhea, you can give the infection to your baby during delivery. This can cause serious health problems for your baby. If you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about getting the correct examination, testing, and treatment. Treating gonorrhea as soon as possible will make health problems for your baby less likely.
Also Check: Can Chlamydia Go Away On Its Own In Males
How Common Is Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
Chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States. In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received reports of approximately 1.76 million new cases of chlamydia. However, as some people do not know symptoms, its estimated that the actual number of new annual cases is closer to 2.86 million. Gonorrhea isnt quite as common, with the CDC estimating there are approximately 820,000 new infections in the United States every year.
How To Prevent Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
Practicing abstinence can eliminate your risk of getting either disease, but practicing safe sex is often a more sustainable preventive measure.
To prevent the spread of these infections during sex, use latex condoms correctly. Condoms have other benefits too, including reducing the risk of other STIs and unplanned pregnancy.
Recommended Reading: What Antibiotic Is Used To Treat Gonorrhea And Chlamydia
What Is Chlamydia Vs Gonorrhea
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are both common, highly contagious bacterial STIs. Both can be spread through unprotected sexual contact.
These infections are often found in the genitals, but they can also be found in the rectum and throat.
But they are not the same infection, and they are not caused by the same bacteria. Gonorrhea is caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium, also known as gonococcus.
Chlamydia is caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis.
Am I At Risk For Chlamydia
If you are sexually active, have an honest and open talk with your healthcare provider. Ask them if you should get tested for chlamydia or other STDs. Gay or bisexual men and pregnant people should also get tested for chlamydia. If you are a sexually active woman, you should get tested for chlamydia every year if you are:
- Younger than 25 years old.
- 25 years and older with risk factors, such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted infection.
Don’t Miss: Chlamydia Does It Go Away
How Do The Symptoms Compare
Both men and women can get chlamydia or gonorrhea and never develop any symptoms.
With chlamydia, symptoms may not appear for a few weeks after youve contracted the infection. And with gonorrhea, women may never experience any symptoms at all or may only show mild symptoms, while men are more likely to have symptoms that are more severe.
A couple of the most telltale symptoms of these STIs overlap between the two , such as:
- burning when you pee
- abnormal discharge from the rectum
- pain in the rectum
- bleeding from the rectum
You may also develop symptoms that affect your throat if you engage in oral sex with someone who has one of these conditions. This can cause mouth and throat symptoms, including sore throat and a cough.
Complications From Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
Because these two diseases often have no symptoms, some people go untreated.
Even with those who have symptoms, stigma, access, or other reasons get in the way of getting medical attention.
Not receiving prompt and proper treatment can create serious health problems.
For women, chlamydia and gonorrhea that goes untreated can spread through your uterus to your fallopian tubes.
Fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus and transport fertilized eggs during pregnancy. If untreated bacteria that cause gonorrhea and chlamydia spread to this area, the result is pelvic inflammatory disease , affecting around 5% of women in the US.
Pelvic inflammatory disease, similar to chlamydia and gonorrhea, can have no symptoms or just some pelvic or abdominal pain initially.
Unfortunately, PID can do permanent damage to a womenâs reproductive system, including:
For men, gonorrhea and chlamydia can also lead to serious health problems.
One difference is that chlamydia can also spread to the urethra, causing Non-Gonococcal urethritis, which is an infection of the tube that carries urine resulting in inflammation, pain, and fever.
This cannot be caused by the bacteria that causes gonorrhea. However, for both diseases, it is possible for either to cause:
For both women and men, chlamydia and gonorrhea can develop into a form of arthritis:
Symptoms of DGI include joint pain, fever, and skin rashes or sores.
Women are four times more likely to develop DGI than men.
You May Like: Pcr Test For Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
Here Is What You Need To Know About Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
January 20, 2022 by Elodie Takamiya
Chlamydia is the most reported sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Its relative, gonorrhea, is the second most common STI. Both are caused by bacteria and can have disastrous, long-term consequences on a womans health. This is especially the case if she doesnt receive treatment immediately. In this article, you will find useful information that will help you to be proactive with your health. Without further ado, here is what you need to know about chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Can You Have Chlamydia And Gonorrhea At The Same Time
A single STD on its own is a gruesome enough prospect. But what about contracting multiple STDs? Can you have STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea at the same time? The answer is yes. In fact, its fairly commonplace for individuals to carry more than one STD at once. Thats why its important for all sexually active individuals to get tested for every STD not just one or two. Below, well explain more about the nature of STDs and help you determine how best to deal with one :
You May Like: How Do You Get Chlamydia In Your Eye
The Sex Superbug: Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea may be on the verge of becoming an untreatable disease. Gonorrhoea is caused by a bacteria, and it is treated with two drugs but resistance is already developing to one of the drugs. Soon we may have no treatment options remaining for multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea infections.
Those diagnosed with gonorrhoea are at risk of serious complications and untreated, the disease can cause inflammation of the womb and infertility. The infection can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby.
Infection in pregnant women can lead to early labour and delivery or permanent blindness in a newborn baby.
There were 87 million new cases gonorrhoea amount men and women aged 15-49 years in 2016.
WHO/Yoshi Shimizu. Testing for sexually transmitted infections in Mongolia.
Does Trichomoniasis Mean Your Partner Cheated
The bottom line
People can have trichomoniasis for months without showing any symptoms. If you or your partner suddenly have symptoms or test positive for it, it doesnt necessarily mean that someones cheating. Either partner may have gotten it in a previous relationship and unknowingly passed it on.
Don’t Miss: Can You Get Chlamydia Medicine Online
Is There Anything Else I Need To Know About A Chlamydia Test
Chlamydia testing can help you avoid lasting health problems and stop the spread of this disease. You can also take steps to protect yourself from getting chlamydia.
- Having sex with only one partner who has tested negative for STDs and who has sex only with you
- Using condoms correctly every time you have sex
Rates Of Chlamydia And Gonorrhea In The Us
Chlamydia infections in the United States are much more common than gonorrhea. According to a 2019 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, there were:
- 1.8 million reported cases of chlamydia, with rates of infection up 19% since 2015
- 616,192 cases of gonorrhea, with rates up by 56% since 2015
Read Also: How To Know When You Get Chlamydia
Am I At Risk For Gonorrhea
If you are sexually active, have an honest and open talk with your healthcare provider. Ask them if you should get tested for gonorrhea or other STDs. If you are a sexually active gay or bisexual man, you should get tested for gonorrhea every year. If you are a sexually active woman, you should get tested for gonorrhea every year if you are:
- Younger than 25 years.
- 25 years and older with risk factors, such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted infection.
Gonorrhea Treatment Is There A Cure For Gonorrhea
Early treatment is simple & effective, & involves a single dose of antibiotics. In addition, the treatment of chlamydia is also advocated. It is common to have these two STD infections together 50% have both
Treatment of Gonorrhea:
- Cipro® XR 500 mg a single dose, or
- Levaquin® 500 mg a single dose, or
- Tequin® 400 mg a single dose
Treatment of Chlamydia:
- Doxycycline 100 mg 23 times a day for 1014 days, or
- Zithromax® 1.0 gm a single dose, or
- Zithromax® Z-pak® 500mg on day 1, followed by 1 tab once a day for 4 more days
You May Like: If I Have Chlamydia Do I Have Hiv
How Can A Teenager Know They Have Chlamydia Or Gonorrhea
- Urinary issues, such as a burning or throbbing sensation when peeing
- An abnormal, discolored, and sometimes smelly discharge from the genital area
- Pain in the rectum or an abnormal discharge or bleeding in that area
Know that symptoms are not limited to the genital area. A teenager might also get a sore throat, a cough, or even an eye infection if these areas were in contact with contaminated fluids.
Pure Freedoms mission is to promote optional health for youth. This is why we encourage sexually active teenagers to get tested. Our medical team at Lifeline provides no-cost testing, for which you can find more information here.
A Word From Same Day Std Testing
There is no good way to break bad news. As such, its important to be honest and forthright when you tell your partner you have chlamydia. Be willing to offer support and answer any questions your partner may have. Also, never adopt an accusatory tone when talking to a partner about STD transmission. Most people who have an STD dont even realize it, and accidents happen even when people are careful! Its worth remembering chlamydia is curable as long as you get tested for it first.
If you or your partner is worried about chlamydia you can contact one of our team members at this number . Well address all of your concerns and set you up with an appointment at one of our top-of-the-line facilities. With Same Day, youll experience high quality service, complete privacy during the testing process, and youll get all the tests you need done today. To find a location near you, .
Read Also: What Are The Symptoms Of Gonorrhea And Chlamydia
What Are The Treatments For Chlamydia
Antibiotics will cure the infection. You may get a one-time dose of the antibiotics, or you may need to take medicine every day for 7 days. Antibiotics cannot repair any permanent damage that the disease has caused.
To prevent spreading the disease to your partner, you should not have sex until the infection has cleared up. If you got a one-time dose of antibiotics, you should wait 7 days after taking the medicine to have sex again. If you have to take medicine every day for 7 days, you should not have sex again until you have finished taking all of the doses of your medicine.
It is common to get a repeat infection, so you should get tested again about three months after treatment.
Recommended Reading: What Happens If You Have Chlamydia For Too Long
What You Should Know About Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
20 Jan, 2022
In the STD family, chlamydia and gonorrhea are the two most reported ones in the United States. For context, STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Diseases. You will most likely also come across its synonymous term STI, for Sexually Transmitted Infections. These infections or diseases are caused by bacteria, and they can have long-term negative health consequences on a teenager. This is especially true if the teenager doesnt receive timely treatment. This article will go through important information about chlamydia and gonorrhea. We hope this will give you the tools to be proactive when it comes to the health of your students.
Don’t Miss: How Much Azithromycin For Chlamydia
The Incubation Period Of Common Stds
After unprotected sex or when you discover a strange symptom in your pubic area, you may wonder about your risks of getting a sexually transmitted disease . Below, you will find a few guidelines for how long it usually takes for STD symptoms to show up after exposure.
This is the STD incubation periodthe length of time between infection and when symptoms appear. Knowing them will help you determine if you have an STD and take appropriate action.
To help women protect themselves against this common type of sexually transmitted disease , Flo has prepared a guide that explains the basics of chlamydia.
STDs are infections that are transmitted from one person to another via sexual contact. Today, there are over 20 types of STDs and chlamydia is one of them.
Whether you suspect that you might have it or want to educate yourself, let this guide help you find all the answers you were looking for.
Chlamydia Symptoms & Treatment
FAST FACTS
- Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that is normally passed on through sex without a condom or sharing sex toys with someone who has the infection.
- Using male or female condoms and dental dams during sex will help to protect you from getting chlamydia.
- Chlamydia is often symptomless however if left untreated it can lead to long-term health problems.
- Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics.
- Chlamydia can be passed on from mother to child during pregnancy, so its important for pregnant women to get tested.
Recommended Reading: What To Do If You Know You Have Chlamydia