Chlamydia (pronounced: kluh-MID-ee-uh) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
STDs (also called sexually transmitted infections or STIs) are infections that spread through sex (vaginal, oral, or anal). Some STDs can spread through close contact with the genitals or body fluids.
Chlamydia spreads through sex (vaginal, oral, or anal) with someone who has the infection.
Someone with chlamydia may have:
Many people with chlamydia have no symptoms. They can spread the infection to others without knowing it.
A type of bacteria , Chlamydia trachomatis, causes chlamydia.
To find out if someone has chlamydia, health care providers do tests on:
Health care providers treat chlamydia with antibiotics . All sexual partners from the past 2 months need treatment too, even if they don't have signs of chlamydia.
You should not have sex again until:
People can get chlamydia again if:
If it's not treated, chlamydia can lead to:
The only way to prevent chlamydia and other STDs is to not have sex (oral, vaginal, or anal). If someone decides to have sex, using a latex condom every time can prevent most STDs.
Anyone who is sexually active should get tested for STDs every year (or more often if recommended by their health care provider).
Reviewed by: Krishna Wood White, MD, MPH
Date Reviewed: 01-10-2018