Chlamydia
How do I know if I have chlamydia?
What happens if I don't get treated?
What happens if i get chlamydia when I'm pregnant?
How would I know who has given me chlamydia?
How do I protect myself from chlamydia?
What if I have tested positive for chlamydia and have just had a baby?
How do I know if I have chlamydia?
80% of women and 50% of men do not have any symptoms, which is why it is important to be screened. However, if you have symptoms, make an appointment at your local sexual health clinic, or call the Frisky or Risky Team for more information and advice on: 01206 363003.
Symptoms in Women:
• A vaginal discharge that is different to your usual discharge.
• The need to pass urine more often.
• Pain in the lower abdomen (low tummy pain).
• Bleeding between periods or bleeding after sex.
Symptoms in men:
• A discharge from the tip of the penis.
• Pain and/or burning when passing urine.
• Irritation at the tip of the penis.
• Painful swelling of the testicles.
What happens if I don't get treated?
Without proper treatment the infection can spread to other parts of the body causing damage and serious long-term complications.
Women:
Chlamydia can spread to other reproductive organs, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can lead to lower tummy pain, blocked fallopian tubes, infertility and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).
Men:
Chlamydia can lead to a painful infection in the testicles and possibly reduced fertility. It is thought that in some men it might cause the prostate to become inflamed. It can also cause inflammation or swelling of joints.
What happens if I get chlamydia when I'm pregnant?
Chlamydia may be linked to early miscarriage or premature birth of the baby. It can be passed to the baby during the birth and (less commonly) before the baby is born. This can cause inflammation and discharge from the baby's eye (conjunctivitis) and pneumonia.
Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics when you are pregnant and when you are breastfeeding, but do tell the doctor or nurse that you’re pregnant. This may affect the type of antibiotic you're given. The antibiotics won't harm the baby.
How would I know who has given me chlamydia?
You might not know whether you have caught it from your current or a previous sexual partner. These doubts can be hard to handle. Some people feel upset or angry when they have an STI and find it difficult to talk to their partner or friends. Don't be afraid to talk about how you feel with the staff at the clinic.
How do I protect myself from chlamydia?
Use condoms every time you have sex. This will reduce the risks of getting or passing on chlamydia and other STIs, including HIV.
Each time you have a new sexual partner, both of you should get a chlamydia test.
Have a chlamydia test every year.
If you do have chlamydia, take all the tablets you are given. Do not have any sex (oral, vaginal, anal or use sex toys) with partners until they have also been treated.
What if I have tested positive for chlamydia and have just had a baby?
If you’ve tested positive for chlamydia and you’ve recently had a baby via normal delivery, the baby may have been exposed to the infection. However most babies don’t develop problems and don’t need any treatment.
