Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK. It often causes no symptoms, and can be passed on to others without you realising. However, complications may occur if it is left untreated, and it can cause serious problems later in life if not treated. A short course of antibiotics clears the infection in most cases.
How do you get chlamydia and how common is it?
It is commonly passed on when you have sex with an infected person. About 1 in 20 sexually active women in the UK are infected with chlamydia (it is most common in women under 25). Most people are not aware they are infected as it is routine not to have any symptoms (you can be infected with chlamydia for months, even years, without realising it).
Women - signs and symptoms
No symptoms occur in up to 70% of cases. If symptoms do occur, they can include: a slight increase in vaginal discharge - caused by the cervix becoming inflamed, a need to pass urine more often/pain on passing urine, lower abdominal pain, pain during sex, irregular menstrual bleeding, a painful swelling and irritation in the eyes (if they are infected).
Men - signs and symptoms
No symptoms occur in up to 50% of cases. If symptoms do occur, they can include: a discharge from the penis which may be white/cloudy and watery and stain underwear, pain and/or a burning sensation when passing urine, a painful swelling and irritation in the eyes (if they are infected). Chlamydia in the rectum rarely causes symptoms.
How chlamydia is passed on
Chlamydia can be transmitted by: having sex with someone who is infected, a mother to her baby at birth, occasionally, by transferring the infection on fingers from the genitals to the eyes.
The tests for chlamydia
The test can be performed by analysis of a urine sample. Alternatively an examination of your genital area is carried out by a doctor or a nurse, and samples are taken using a cotton-wool or spongy swab, from any place which may be infected. Women are usually given an internal pelvic examination. Men are given an external examination of their testicles (balls) to check that these are healthy. None of these tests should be painful, but may sometimes be uncomfortable.
Diagnosis and treatment
Samples taken during the examination are sent to a laboratory for testing, and the result is available usually within one week.
If you have chlamydia a doctor or nurse will explain the infection to you and answer your questions. They will also ask you about your sexual partner(s), so that they can get a check-up and treatment if necessary.
The treatment for chlamydia is simple and effective once it has been diagnosed. You will be given antibiotic tablets. If you are allergic to any antibiotics or if there is any possibility that you may be pregnant, it is important that you tell your doctor. This will affect which antibiotics you are prescribed. It is important that you finish any course of treatment. If treatment is interrupted, it may be necessary to start again from the beginning.
Follow-up
It is important to return for a check-up once you have completed the treatment to make sure you are well and have no other infection. You should not have penetrative sex (when the penis enters the vagina, mouth or anus) until you have returned to the surgery and been given the all-clear by the doctor.
Complications - women
If untreated, chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is an inflammation of the fallopian tubes (the tubes along which an egg passes to get to the womb). PID can lead to problems with fertility. Many cases of infertility can be traced back to infection with chlamydia. If a woman has chlamydia when she is pregnant she risks having an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb) or a premature birth. The infection can be passed on to the baby, giving it an eye or lung infection. Chlamydia can be safely treated during pregnancy. Chlamydia can also lead to chronic (long-term) pelvic pain.
Complications - men
Complications caused by chlamydia in men are uncommon. But it may lead to painful inflammation of the testicles, which can cause infertility.
Complications - men and women
Reiters syndrome is a result of chlamydia. It causes inflammation of the eyes and joints and sometimes a rash on the soles of the feet and genitals. Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) can also be caused by chlamydia. Remember, after treatment, using condoms during sex can reduce your risk of getting or passing on sexually transmitted infections.
If you are worried about Chlamydia
You should see your doctor, practice nurse, or your visit local NHS sexual health (GUM) clinic.
Source: Health Education Authority