Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection, which affects both men and woman.
Chlamydia is caused by a type of bacteria and often shows no symptoms meaning it can go undetected for a very long time. If the infection is left untreated, a person with chlamydia risks health issues.
How it's caught
You can catch chlamydia by having unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex. It can also be passed on through the sharing of sex toys. Any sexually active person can catch chlamydia. Chlamydia is a very common STI, most common in women between ages 15-19 and men under the age of 25.
Symptoms
Most people with chlamydia do not show any signs or symptoms. This is why it’s important to come for testing even if you show no symptoms. You are at risk even if you’ve only had unprotected sex once. If someone does have symptoms, these usually include discharge from the penis or vagina and pain or a burning sensation when peeing. Woman can experience pain during sex, or blood between periods. If left long term it can caused Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or fertility problems in women and in men the infection can spread to the testicles.
Testing
Testing for chlamydia is easy, and pain free. For males the test is carried out on a urine sample and for women a self taken vaginal swab.
Treatment
Chlamydia infections are easily treated with a short course of antibiotics.
