Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common bacterial infection that can affect the genitals, throat, eyes, or rectum (bum) in people of any gender. It is one of the most common STIs in Aotearoa New Zealand, and many people do not notice any symptoms.

Chlamydia is easy to treat, but if it is not treated it can sometimes lead to longer-term health problems including:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in people with a vagina, an infection and inflammation of the upper reproductive organs, including the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes, and ovaries
• Epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis in people with a penis, which is a painful swelling affecting the tubes that carry sperm.

These problems can cause scarring and may affect fertility, making it harder to get pregnant in the future.

In pregnancy, chlamydia can be passed during birth and may cause a serious eye or lung infection in the baby. Treatment of chlamydia in pregnancy is safe and makes sure that the baby does not catch the infection.

Chlamydia is usually spread through sex or contact with someone that has the infection.

You can get chlamydia from:

• Genital contact, vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom
• Sharing sex toys that have not been cleaned between uses or covered with a new condom
• Semen or vaginal fluid getting into the eye.

Chlamydia cannot be caught by kissing, hugging, sharing baths or towels, using swimming pools or from toilet seats.

Most people with chlamydia do not notice any symptoms. That is why testing is so important.

Symptoms in people with a vagina may include:

• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Pain when peeing
• Low tummy pain, especially during sex
• Bleeding between periods or after sex
• Anal discharge, discomfort or bleeding if the rectum is infected.

Symptoms in people with a penis may include:

• Soreness, itching, or unusual discharge from the opening of the penis
• Pain when peeing
• Anal discharge, discomfort or bleeding if the rectum is infected
• Pain or swelling in the testicles, although this is less common.

If chlamydia isn't treated, it can lead to infertility (not being able to have babies).

In people with a vagina

Untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This may lead to long-term inflammation, scarring, or blocked fallopian tubes (the tubes that carry the eggs to the uterus where the baby grows), making pregnancy difficult or impossible.

In people with a penis

Chlamydia can cause epididymitis (inflammation of the tubes that carry sperm), which may affect sperm quality and fertility.

During childbirth

Chlamydia can be passed to a baby at birth and may cause eye or lung infections.

Testing is simple!

If you have a vagina: A vaginal swab is used - you can usually do it yourself.

If you have a penis: A urine sample (pee in a pot) is usually taken.

Other swabs (throat, anus) might be done depending on the type of sex you've had.

If you have symptoms, a doctor or nurse may also recommend an examination to check for other possible causes.

It is possible that if you test for chlamydia soon after being infected, your test may not find the infection. For this reason you may be advised to repeat the test two weeks after the time when you were at risk of catching it.

Chlamydia is treated with antibiotic tablets. It is usually treated with a 7-day course, although sometimes a single-dose treatment may be used.

It is important to take the medication exactly as prescribed, even if your symptoms improve.

Avoid sex (including oral), or use condoms, for 7 days from the start of treatment and until 7 days after your current sexual partner or partners have been treated.

You can reduce your risk of getting or passing on chlamydia by:

• Using condoms or dental dams from start to finish every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex
• Not sharing sex toys, or cleaning them between uses and covering them with a new condom each time
• Having regular STI checks, especially if you have new or multiple partners.

If you have been treated for chlamydia:

• Make sure your current sexual partner or partners are tested and treated
• Avoid sex, or use condoms, until everyone has been treated as advised
• Get retested 3 months later to check for reinfection.

If you are diagnosed with chlamydia it is important that you tell anyone you have had sex with in the last 3 months. Partner notification helps prevent reinfection and reduces transmission.

Where the sexual contact was within two weeks or the person is symptomatic, they should have treatment even if tests are normal. Otherwise, they should be treated if their results are positive.

Telling partners is important to stop the infection being passed on and to reduce the risk of you getting it again. Your doctor, nurse, or sexual health clinic can help you with this.