How Often Should I Get Checked For Chlamydia
Sexual health check-ups are recommended for anyone who is sexually active. Frequency of testing also depends on your STI risk:
- An annual sexual health check-up is highly recommended if you are sexually active especially if you are under 25.
- Get checked more often during the year if you frequently change sexual partners.
- Remember, you are at greater risk if you have sex without a condom with 1 or multiple sexual partners.
Female Complications Of Untreated Chlamydia
Some women develop PID, an infection that can damage the uterus, cervix, and ovaries. PID is a painful disease that often requires hospital treatment.
Infertility is also possible if chlamydia is left untreated because the fallopian tubes may become scarred.
During pregnancy, the infection can to babies during birth, which can cause eye infections and pneumonia in newborns.
How Do You Get Infected With Chlamydia
Chlamydia typically gets spread when a person has sexual contact with someone who already has the infection. Infection can happen even when none of the parties involved have climaxed.
It can also rarely happen that a person gets the infection by touching their eyes if their hand was exposed to infected fluids.
Babies can also pick up the infection during birth if the mother is infected.
However, chlamydia is not spread during normal, casual contact. That means sharing food, hugging, kissing, and sitting on a toilet will not expose you to the bacteria that causes chlamydia.
You also cannot get the infection from someone sneezing or coughing near you.
You May Like: Signs Of Chlamydia In Girl
You May Like: How Does Chlamydia Affect Males
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Pharyngeal Chlamydia
In the majority of cases, pharyngeal chlamydia is asymptomatic. If it does cause symptoms, they usually include sore throat or an uncomfortable feeling in the throat. However, the CDC does not consider pharyngeal chlamydia to be an important cause of pharyngitis . More likely causes include viral infections, strep throat, allergies, reflux, and others .
Dont Miss: How To Get Prescription For Chlamydia
Chlamydia Symptoms In Women:
- testicular pain and/or swelling
Depending on the localization of the infection, women, men and children may experience inflamed rectum, urethra or eyelids. The symptoms of mouth and throat infections are rare although a person can suffer a sore throat. Eyes infected with chlamydia can be itchy, swelled, cause painful sensations or produce discharge similar to conjunctivitis. Infection in the rectum results in bleeding, chlamydia discharge and pain.
You May Like: Can Chlamydia Be Transmitted Orally
Inflammation Of The Testicles
In men, chlamydia can spread to the testicles and epididymis , causing them to become painful and swollen. This is known as epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis. This is very rare.
The inflammation is usually treated with antibiotics. If its not treated, theres a possibility it could affect your fertility.
How Is Chlamydia Screening Done
A person can test for chlamydia at home or in the lab. They can take either a urine sample or a swab.
- Females can take a swab, place it in a container, and send it to a laboratory.
- Males will usually use a urine test.
A doctor can advise individuals on the best option. They may also recommend rectal or throat testing, especially for people who are living with HIV.
Home screening tests are available, but it is not always easy to do them correctly at home. A healthcare provider will usually recommend following up on any home tests by visiting a doctors office.
The person will likely need to provide a urine sample for a test to confirm a diagnosis. After treatment, they will need to retake the test to ensure that the treatment has worked.
If anyone wishes to try home testing, chlamydia screening test kits are available for purchase online.
Read Also: Azithromycin For Chlamydia Side Effects
Don’t Miss: How To Know Your Chlamydia Is Gone
Can You Get Chlamydia From Spit
Asked by: Ms. Fay Halvorson Sr.
Chlamydia isn’t spread through casual contact, so you CAN’T get chlamydia from sharing food or drinks, kissing, hugging, holding hands, coughing, sneezing, or sitting on the toilet. Using condoms and/or dental dams every time you have sex is the best way to help prevent chlamydia.
How Is It Contracted
Chlamydia is transmitted primarily through sexual activity. The following are the most common ways:
- unprotected intercourse with an infected partner
- sharing sex toys
- from mother to the newborn during vaginal childbirth through the infected birth channel
- infection can be transferred on fingers from the genitals to other parts of the body
Chlamydia is not contracted through simple kissing, handshaking, any casual contacts, sharing baths, towels and cups as well as from toilet seats.
Chlamydia trachomatis, an obligate intracellular human pathogen, is one of four bacterial species in the genus Chlamydia. 3D illustration
Recommended Reading: How Long Do Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Tests Take
What Happens If Chlamydia Is Left Untreated
If left untreated, chlamydia can become very serious. There is a chance of it spreading to the womb and causing pelvic inflammatory disease , which can then lead to ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
In men, complications of chlamydia can mean it spreading to the testicles. The testicles can then become inflamed and painful.
Another potential complication of untreated chlamydia is sexually active reactive arthritis . This usually occurs within the first few weeks, with symptoms involving joints, eyes, or the urethra becoming inflamed.
While these complications are rare, they highlight the importance of getting tested regularly so any signs of chlamydia can be addressed as soon as possible.
Can you get chlamydia from kissing?
Possible Home Remedies For Oral And Nose Chlamydia
It is the most commonly used natural spice due to its awesome anti-viral and antibiotic properties. The best way to fight against symptoms of chlamydia is to eat 3-4 cloves of garlic every day prefer to consume them before your meal. The natural chemicals of garlic are capable enough to clear the infection and can also kill the bacteria present in your body. However, in case if you are not in a condition to eat raw garlic, prefer to add few cloves to your meals. Some of you may also prefer to consume the garlic capsules that are also powerful enough to reverse the oral and nose chlamydia symptoms.
It is a perennial herbal plant that is popular as a top-rated remedy for treating chlamydia symptoms. It helps to clean the immune system so that it can initiate fight against disease bacteria. Prefer to include sage tea to your routines, and it will naturally add care to your overall health. Simply take around 50 mg leaves of sage, crush them and then put into 250 ml boiling water. Let it stay on the stove for at least 3 to 4 minutes and enjoy the delicious taste of this tea. Make sure you consume these doses without adding milk or sugar to your tea. Sage tea is medically trusted solution to treat chlamydia symptoms, and it is extremely safe as well.
Recommended Reading: How Can Chlamydia Come Back
Can You Have Chlamydia And Not Show Symptoms
Its not uncommon for the chlamydia bacteria to lie dormant for years and produce a low-grade infection. During that time, you may not have any symptoms for months, or they can be absent forever.
Around 75% of women and 50% of men with chlamydia report having no symptoms. For that reason, its best not to assume that if you or your partner has chlamydia that it means one of you was unfaithful. You could be in a loving, mutually monogamous relationship and be unaware that you have chlamydia.
How Can I Reduce My Chances Of Getting Chlamydia
If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting chlamydia:
PrEP, Pre Exposure Prophylaxis, a pill taken daily to prevent HIV infection, will NOT protect you from chlamydia. PrEP is also known by the brand name Truvada or Descovy.
Having chlamydia once does NOT protect you from getting it again.
For more information, visit CDCs chlamydia webpage featuring factsheets, posters, videos, statistics and more. Please contact your local health department for questions and reporting issues.
To submit a question or comment to the HIV/STD/HepC Program, please click on the suggestion box to access our online form.
- Learn More About
Read Also: How To Know If Your Chlamydia Is Gone
Chances Of Getting Chlamydia
Chlamydia is an usual STD that can contaminate both males and females. It can trigger significant, permanent damages to a females reproductive system. Chances Of Getting Chlamydia
This can make it hard or difficult for her to obtain expectant later on. Chlamydia can likewise trigger a possibly fatal ectopic maternity a maternity that happens outside the womb.
How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed
The most common test for chlamydia is called a nucleic acid amplification test . Your provider takes a sample of fluid by doing a vaginal/cervical swab or collecting a urine sample. Then, they send the sample off to a lab to check for the bacteria that causes chlamydia. Your provider may do the test in an office, or they may ask you to do an at-home chlamydia test. Follow your providers instructions carefully to ensure you get accurate test results.
Because most chlamydia cases are asymptomatic, its important to get screened for chlamydia even if you dont notice any signs of infection. The CDC recommends that sexually active cisgender women who are high-risk for chlamydia get screened regularly. Women, more so than men, experience the most severe complications from chlamydia. Transgender men and nonbinary individuals with vaginas should be screened regularly, too, as they can experience the same complications of chlamydia.
Youre considered high-risk if you:
- Have had chlamydia infections previously.
Cisgender men, or trans and nonbinary individuals with penises, should be screened for chlamydia if:
- They live in a setting where chlamydia spreads frequently, like correctional facilities, adolescent clinics and sexual health clinics.
- They have sex with other men.
Don’t Miss: How Much Does Chlamydia Prescription Cost
Testing And Treating Sexual Partners
If you test positive for chlamydia, it’s important that your current sexual partner and any other recent sexual partners you’ve had are also tested and treated.
A specialist sexual health adviser can help you contact your recent sexual partners, or the clinic can contact them for you if you prefer.
Either you or someone from the clinic can speak to them, or the clinic can send them a note to let them know they may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection .
The note will suggest that they go for a check-up. It will not have your name on it, so your confidentiality will be protected.
Page last reviewed: 01 September 2021 Next review due: 01 September 2024
A Word From Same Day Std Testing
Though you cant control what happened in the past, you can make good decisions to alter the future. Proactive measures like getting tested and seeking treatment are sensible actions to take following an unprotected sexual encounter. Dont let a bad decision compound over time by ignoring it. Instead, contact one of our team members here at . Well walk you through your testing options and answer any questions you may have. Or, you can find a testing facility near you and get tested today. Either way, dont wait to ask for help take initiative instead!
Also Check: How Much Are Chlamydia Pills
Chances Of Getting An Std: Separating Myths From Facts
Sexually transmitted diseases are diseases that result from sexually transmitted infections . The terms are often used interchangeably, but technically speaking, the virus or condition that is spread from person to person is typically an STI. If the infection leads to symptoms, which doesnt always happen, it becomes an STD.
Although STIs are fairly common and widely discussed, theres also a lot of misinformation out there. Because of that, it can be hard to get the real facts about STIs. This article provides clear answers about the chances of getting an STD from different types of sexual encounters.
Is There A Cure For Chlamydia
Yes. Chlamydia is easy to treat and cure, but remember that just because youve had it once doesnt mean you cant get infected again. Its important that you get treated early so that more serious health problems dont occur.
Your health care provider will either give you a single dose of medicine to take in the office before you leave or a prescription to fill that you will need to take 2 times a day, for 7 days. Your health care provider will decide which medicine is right for you. Remember to take ALL of the medicine as prescribed, even if the symptoms go away.
Its important for your sexual contact to be treated as well. This can help prevent you from re-infecting one another.
You should be re-tested for chlamydia in 3 months.
You May Like: I Have Chlamydia But No Symptoms
What Are The Most Common Oral Chlamydia Symptoms
Pop quiz time: whats the difference between throat chlamydia and chlamydia in the genitals? If youre not sure, dont feel bad. Many of us dont even realize that there are multiple types of this sexually transmitted infection.
To further complicate matters, both genital and throat chlamydia can be difficult to detect without proper screening. Both forms, in addition to rectal chlamydia, may never show any visible symptoms. You see, chlamydia is typically an asymptomatic infection.
If chlamydia in the throat does show easily detectable symptoms, they are often as simple as asore throat and possibly a low grade fever and/or swollen lymph nodes. All of these are easily mistaken for something else if a doctor isnt specifically looking for chlamydia.
There are two sides to this coin. Since symptoms are mild, and so many different things can cause a sore throat and fever, the infection is often dismissed and goes untreated. This may make chlamydia seem like no big deal. The truth is, neglecting regular screenings can cause the infection to get worse even if there have never been any symptoms in the first place.
Oral chlamydia symptoms in women:
Oral chlamydia symptoms in men:
- Low-grade fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
If you dont get screened for oral chlamydia and you have an infection, it can get worse. If left undetected and untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious consequences, including pelvic inflammatory disease , infertility and chronic pelvic pain.
I Have Sex Partners Who Are Living With Hiv And Have An Undetectable Viral Load Because They Are On Hiv Treatment Do I Still Need To Take Prep
Individuals living with HIV who are taking HIV treatment consistently and have an undetectable viral load for at least 6 months cannot transmit the virus to an HIV-negative partner through sexual activity. In sero-discordant or magnetic couples , PrEP may be used by the HIV-negative partner for additional protection.
Recommended Reading: How Fast Can Chlamydia Spread
How To Treat Chlamydia
If you do get chlamydia, the good news is that it is easily curable. Your care provider will likely prescribe a single dose of azithromycin or a course of doxycycline, which you will take twice daily for a week. Its much better to get treatment as soon as you suspect you may have chlamydia to prevent serious symptoms.
You should take the full course of medications as prescribed, even if your symptoms seem to clear up early. This makes sure your body is totally free of the infection. Your care provider may like to perform an additional STI test after you complete the course of treatment to confirm that your chlamydia is gone.
After successful treatment, you can catch chlamydia again. Taking preventative measures such as using condoms will reduce the risks though. Some medical teams suggest postponing sex until a week after you finish treatment to make sure the infection is really gone.
How K Health Can Help
Did you know you can get affordable primary care with the K Health app?
to check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed text with a doctor in minutes. K Healths AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and based on 20 years of clinical data.
K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.
K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
You May Like: How Do Men Test For Chlamydia
What Can Happen If Chlamydia Isnt Treated
Untreated chlamydia can put your health at risk. Make an appointment with your provider immediately if you notice any symptoms of chlamydia, and get regular STI screenings to avoid complications later.
Complications of chlamydia for people with vaginas
Untreated chlamydia can cause:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease . PID is a serious condition that requires hospitalization. It can occur when an untreated STI, like chlamydia, damages your reproductive organs. PID can lead to infertility and chronic pelvic pain. It can also cause an ectopic pregnancy, which is life-threatening for the fetus and potentially deadly for the mother or gestational parent, too.
- Pregnancy complications. An untreated infection can lead to pre-term delivery. Also, if youre pregnant and have chlamydia, you can pass the infection on to your newborn. Babies born with chlamydia may have pneumonia or conjunctivitis that could lead to blindness if not treated.
Complications of chlamydia for people with penises
Untreated chlamydia can cause:
- Epididymitis. Infection can spread to the testicles and the tube that carries sperm to your testicles , causing symptoms like pain, swelling and tenderness in your testicles.
- Reduced fertility. Chlamydia can harm your sperm, negatively impacting your ability to conceive.
Complications of chlamydia that can affect all genders
Untreated chlamydia can: