Chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Canada, affecting youths and young adults most often, with young women (15 to 24 years) having the most reported cases.
The infection is named after the bacterium that causes it, Chlamydia trachomatis. Most women and many men who are infected with the bacteria have no symptoms and therefore don’t know they have chlamydia.
Chlamydia is easily treated, but it can sometimes lead to serious complications if it isn’t caught early enough. It is estimated that up to 40% of untreated women will develop symptomatic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can be very painful. The risk of preterm delivery, ectopic pregnancy, or infertility also increases with an untreated chlamydia infection.
Screening for chlamydia is routine for women who are under 25 years old, have a history of a prior sexually transmitted infection, engage in high-risk sexual behavior, or are pregnant. Men are not routinely screened for chlamydia unless they have sex with men or live in an area where there are many cases of chlamydia.
Chlamydia is spread during sexual contact and is highly infectious. It can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Ejaculation does not have to occur for chlamydia to be spread.
Newborn babies can get infected if their mothers have chlamydia. Nearly half of infants born vaginally (i.e., not by caesarean) to infected mothers will contract chlamydia during delivery. In newborns, chlamydia infections appear as eye problems or respiratory problems rather than the typical genital infections seen in adults.
Chlamydia can be cured easily and quickly with antibiotics, sometimes with a single pill. Despite the ease of treatment, thousands of people suffer serious complications each year such as infertility and chronic pain because they had no symptoms or failed to recognize them until it was too late. Don’t wait for symptoms to develop – have routine checkups. Be aware that the risk of acquiring chlamydia increases with the number of sexual partners.
Since chlamydia infection can occur without symptoms, it’s possible to unknowingly transmit this infection to others, or to get it from someone who doesn’t know they have it. Women are more likely to be unaware they have chlamydia. Condoms help decrease the chance of transmission and should be used from the beginning to the end of sex.
Chlamydia in men, women, and babies is treated with various antibiotics. The exact choice depends on the person and the extent of infection.
Even if symptoms aren’t obvious, or if they disappear quickly, you should finish any course of antibiotics for the full length of time prescribed. If symptoms don’t go away within 1 to 2 weeks of completing treatment, see your doctor again. 6 months following the end of treatment, your doctor may want to see you again to make sure the infection is cured even if you are feeling well.
While undergoing treatment, and for at least 1 week after your last dose, you should avoid having sex.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Chlamydia
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