Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium is the cause of the most frequently reported sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States, which is responsible for more than 1.6 million infections annually. Most people with chlamydia infection are asymptomatic.

–Abnormal Vaginal Discharge (Odor or Odorless)
–Spotting/Bleeding Between Periods
–Painful Periods
–Pain During Sexual Intercourse
–Painful Urination
–Abdominal Pain With Fever
–Burning and/or Itching in or Around the Vagina

–Cloudy or Clear Discharge From the Tip of the Penis
–Painful and Swollen Testicles
–Itching and/or Burning Around the Opening of the Penis
–Painful Urination

• Ophthalmia neonatorum (conjunctivitis)

• Pneumonia

• Eye inflammation (conjunctivitis) with redness, swelling, and discharge, with or without pneumonia

• Lung infections

• Low birth weight

If you are pregnant and have chlamydia, you can give the infection to your baby during delivery. This can cause an eye infection or pneumonia in your baby. Having chlamydia may also make it more likely to deliver your baby early.

If you are pregnant, you should receive testing for chlamydia at your first prenatal visit. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting the correct examination, testing, and treatment. Testing and treatment are the best ways to prevent health problems.

• Mild to severe pain in the pelvis and lower abdomen

• Heavy, abnormal discharge that may have a foul odor

• Abnormal bleeding, particularly during or after intercourse, outside of regular menstrual periods

• Painful, frequent, or difficult urination

• A fever reaching up to 101° Fahrenheit

The pain can become chronic, and excessive damage to the ovaries and fallopian tubes because of PID can contribute to infertility.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (or PID)

Symptoms for epididymitis include:

• Swelling and redness in the scrotum

• Pain or tenderness in the testicles, usually only on one side

• Abnormal discharge

• Blood in the semen

• Pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen

• Painful, urgent, frequent urination

Azithromycin is typically administered as a single dose, while doxycycline is usually prescribed as a twice-daily dose for seven days. It is essential to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and not to share your medication with others. In some cases, alternative antibiotics such as erythromycin or levofloxacin may be prescribed for those who are allergic to azithromycin or doxycycline, or for pregnant women.

Recently, however, researchers have become more concerned about antibiotic resistance (when bacteria develop a way to survive medications meant to kill them). There is increasing research on azithromycin treatment failure, particularly for rectal (anal) infections.

In several reviews, rectal chlamydia infection was common (33% to 83%) in women with urogenital chlamydia infection (infection in the female genital tract) who had no symptoms of rectal chlamydia and didn't report having had anal sex. Because of azithromycin's potential failure to treat rectal infections, doxycycline continues to be the first-line treatment option for chlamydia.

Chlamydia is spread through sexual fluids like semen, pre-cum, and vaginal fluids. So, the best way to avoid chlamydia and other STDs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex at all. This doesn’t work for most people, so that’s where condoms come in. They help lower your chances of getting an STD if you do have sex.

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

• An abnormal vaginal discharge; and

• A burning sensation when peeing.

Symptoms in men can include

• A discharge from their penis;

• A burning sensation when peeing; and

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

1. Transmission: You can get chlamydia through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner. Even if your partner doesn’t ejaculate, you can still contract the infection. Pregnant individuals with chlamydia can pass it to their baby during childbirth.

2. Symptoms: Chlamydia often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms, especially in the early stages. However, it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Some common symptoms include vaginal discharge, itching, pain during sex, and pain while urinating.

3. Complications: Untreated chlamydia can result in complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause infertility. It can also lead to ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the womb) and other reproductive issues.

4. Testing and Treatment: Testing involves urine samples for men and vaginal swabs for women. Antibiotics (such as azithromycin or doxycycline) are used to treat chlamydia.

5. Prevention: To reduce your risk of getting chlamydia, practice safe sex by using condoms consistently and being in a mutually monogamous relationship with a tested partner.

Remember, early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term health complications.