Who Can Get Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It can be spread through sexual contact with someone who has the infection. Anyone who is sexually active can get chlamydia, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation. The infection can be passed from one person to another even if there are no visible signs or symptoms.
Symptoms
Most people who have chlamydia do not have any symptoms, but they can still pass the infection on to others. Those who do have symptoms may experience burning or pain when urinating, an unusual discharge from the penis or vagina, and pain and swelling in the testicles or ovaries.
Testing
If you think you may have chlamydia, it is important to get tested as soon as possible. Chlamydia can be detected with a urine test or a swab from the infected area. If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious health problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and an increased risk of contracting HIV.
Treatment
Chlamydia is usually treated with a course of antibiotics. It is important to finish the entire course of antibiotics, even if the symptoms go away before you have taken all of the pills. Once you have been treated, it is important to abstain from sexual contact until you have been tested and are sure the infection has been cleared. It is also important to inform any recent sexual partners so that they can get tested as well.