Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection. It can cause serious problems if not treated.

Chlamydia can affect both men and women and many people don’t have any symptoms so don’t know they have got it.

In women it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (inflammation of fallopian tubes), which can lead to infertility.

Chlamydia can cause swelling and painful testes in men.

Transmission

Chlamydia is very infectious and can be transmitted by:

• Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected person
• Infected mother to baby during delivery

Signs and symptoms

Although it is very common to have Chlamydia and not notice any changes the common signs and symptoms include:

Women

• Change and increase in vaginal discharge
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Discomfort during intercourse
• Lower abdominal pain

Men

• Discharge from the penis
• Discomfort when passing urine – usually a burning sensation
• Passing urine more frequently
• Pain/swelling of the testes

Treatment

Chlamydia is easily treated with a short course of antibiotics.

It is essential any sexual partners are treated to prevent re-infection, and you don’t have sex until both you and your partner have completed treatment.

All you need to do is fill in a form and give a urine test. No needles. No fuss. And you can rest assured, all information will be treated confidentially. Within two weeks, you will have the result of your test. This can be sent by phone, letter or text – whatever you prefer.