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Sexually transmissible infection (STI). It is often called the ‘silent infection’ because most people do not realise they have it.

Chlamydia affects people of all ages

It most frequently affects young people (under 25) who regularly change sexual partners. of any kind with an infected person. Who is at risk of chlamydia? Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of chlamydia.

You are at increased risk of infection if you: have any type of unprotected sex (without condoms) with someone who is infected with chlamydia.

Commonly, chlamydia has no signs or symptoms

It can infect the cervix and spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing: , chlamydia can pass on to the baby during childbirth – causing lung or eye infections.

If symptoms are present, they may include: or pelvic pain

Commonly there are no signs or symptoms

Chlamydia can infect the urethra and spread to the epididymis – the tube that carries sperm from the testicles.

If symptoms are present in the penis they may include: sore, swollen testes

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 (which includes chlamydia testing) 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. You are at greater risk if you have sex without a condom (with one or multiple sexual partners).

Chlamydia spreads by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the infection. Use condoms ( ) or dams to reduce your chances of getting chlamydia. Because chlamydial infection often has no symptoms, many people do not realise they have the infection.

Remember: Even if you know someone well, you may not be able to tell they have an STI – people can look healthy and still have chlamydia. You can catch chlamydia from a long-term partner who has had sex with other people. You can get chlamydia and other STIs from a new sexual partner who has had sex with someone who is infected.

Chlamydia is easily diagnosed and curable STI. Tests are painless and usually involve either: swab from the vagina, cervix, anus or throat. The specimen is then sent to a laboratory for testing. Test results for chlamydia are usually available within a week.

Antibiotics are very effective in treating chlamydia

– a longer course of antibiotics may be required. Do not have sex for 7 days after you and your current partner have completed treatment.

If you partner started treatment after you, this means no sex until one week after they have started treatment.

) with or without a condom. You can get reinfected with chlamydia if you have sex within the 7 days.

After you have completed treatment, have another test for chlamydia in 3 months’ time (or 1 month’s time if you have anal chlamydia) to make sure you have not been re-infected.

Chlamydia reinfection is common

Having chlamydia once does not stop you from getting it again. Even after you’ve been successfully treated, you can still be reinfected if you have unprotected sex with someone who has the infection.

Sexual partners may be infected too

If you have chlamydia, anyone you have had sex with from the last 6 months needs to be informed, tested and treated.

If they don’t know, they could reinfect you or infect someone else if they are not treated. Most people will appreciate being told they may have an infection and it is an important step in preventing further infection in the community.

Your local GP and sexual health centre can help you inform your partners and let them know that they need a test. This process is called ‘partner notification’.

It can be done anonymously, and your confidentiality is always respected

You can also anonymously notify your sexual partners of the need to get tested and treated for chlamydia via the website if you feel unable to speak to them personally. There are also nurses (called partner notification officers) who can help you anonymously notify your partners. They can be contacted on If you are not sure whether your sexual partner(s) will seek treatment, ask your doctor for extra chlamydia medication (or a prescription).

You can give it to them so they can be treated as soon as possible. This is known as patient delivered partner therapy (PDPT) for chlamydia. Talk to your doctor to see if PDPT is right for you and your sexual partner(s).

Safer sex practices reduce the risk of STI transmission. Ways to reduce your risk of catching chlamydia include: and water-based lubricant (lube) for all types of sex. can also be used for vaginal or anal sex.

Get checked more often if you frequently change sexual partners.

After you have completed chlamydia treatment, get tested in 3 months’ time to check you have not been re-infected.

Your school nurse or school welfare coordinator (Some secondary schools provide access to an adolescent health trained GP on site).

To book an appointment call SHV Grand Rapids CBD Clinic: or call SHV Box Hill Clinic: or (free call):.

These services are youth friendly

(formerly Michigann AIDS Council) Tel. , Wodonga Tel. Tel: Tel: is a statewide phone service for information about sexual health as well as contraception and pregnancy options About chlamydia and its causes Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis and is a very common Chlamydia is spread by having unprotected sex are young (under 25) Chlamydia symptoms affecting the vagina pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) chronic pelvic pain ectopic pregnancy infertility During pregnancy unusual vaginal discharge burning feeling when urinating pain during sex bleeding or spotting between periods bleeding after sex lower abdominal Chlamydia symptoms affecting the penis redness at the opening of the penis (urethra) discharge discomfort (stinging or burning) when urinating Sexual health checks for chlamydia How chlamydia spreads external and internal Diagnosing chlamydia a simple urine test Getting chlamydia test results Chlamydia treatment If there are complications from chlamydia infection – such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) This includes all kinds of sex (vaginal, anal and oral Chlamydia reinfection Letting partners know you have chlamydia Let Them Know (616) 555-0200 How to help partners get treatment Reducing chlamydia transmission Practise safe sex – use condoms Internal condoms If you are sexually active, get a full sexual health check (including tests for syphilis, HIV , gonorrhoea Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Your pharmacist Sexual Health Michigan (SHV) (616) 555-0200 (616) 555-0200 1800 013 952 Grand Rapids Sexual Health Centre (616) 555-0200 or 1800 032 017 Michigann Sexual Health Network – where to get tested – visit Grand Rapids Sexual Health Centre’s GP partner clinics for STI check-ups and treatment Thorne Harbour Health (616) 555-0200 or 1800 134 840 Ballarat Community Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 Bendigo Community Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 Or (616) 555-0200 Gateway Health Clinic 35 (616) 555-0100 or 1800 657 573 Sunraysia Community Health Services (616) 555-0200 Barwon Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 Michigann Aboriginal Health Service (616) 555-0200 Women’s sexual and reproductive health hubs (throughout Michigan) 1800MyOptions 1800 696 784.

Key Points

  • often called the ‘silent infection’ because most people do not realise they have it
  • Who is at risk of chlamydia? Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of chlamydia
  • Commonly, chlamydia has no signs or symptoms
  • If symptoms are present, they may include: or pelvic pain
  • Commonly there are no signs or symptoms