05/29/26 Public Health Education Topic: Chlamydia

Per CDC:

Key points

• Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be treated.

• People who are sexually active can get chlamydia.

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common STI that can cause infection among men and women. It can cause permanent damage to a woman's reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant later. Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).

Signs and symptoms

Chlamydia often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems, even without symptoms.

Chlamydia often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems, even without symptoms. If symptoms occur, they may not appear until several weeks after having sex with a partner who has chlamydia.

Symptoms in women

Even when chlamydia has no symptoms, it can damage a woman's reproductive system. Women with symptoms may notice:

• An abnormal vaginal discharge

• A burning sensation when peeing

  
  

Symptoms in men

Men with symptoms may notice:

• Penis discharge

• A burning sensation when peeing

• Pain and swelling in one or both testicles (although this is less common)

  
  

Symptoms from rectal infections

Men and women can also get chlamydia in their rectum. This happens either by having receptive anal sex, or by spread from another infected site (such as the vagina). While these infections often cause no symptoms, they can cause:

• Rectal pain

• Discharge

• Bleeding

See your healthcare provider if you notice any of these symptoms. You should also see a provider if your partner has an STI or symptoms of one. Symptoms can include an unusual sore, a smelly discharge, burning when peeing, and bleeding between periods.

Prevention

The only way to completely avoid STIs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

If you are sexually active, the following things can lower your chances of getting chlamydia:

• Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and does not have chlamydia

• Using condoms the right way every time you have sex

I'm pregnant. If I have chlamydia, how can I protect my baby from getting it?

If you are pregnant and have chlamydia, you can give the infection to your baby during delivery. This can cause serious health problems for your baby. If you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about getting the correct examination, testing, and treatment. Treating chlamydia as soon as possible will make health problems for your baby less likely.

To learn more please visit: About Chlamydia | Chlamydia | CDC