Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by bacteria. It affects both men and women and is spread through sexual contact- vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Many people with chlamydia don’t show any symptoms, so they might have it without even knowing.

How can I get tested for chlamydia?

Testing for chlamydia is typically done through a urine test or swab sample. You can get tested at your healthcare provider's office, a sexual health clinic, or through home testing kits. It's important to get tested regularly, especially if you're sexually active or have multiple partners.

How do you know if you have Chlamydia?

The only way to be sure is by getting tested. You can get tested for chlamydia at a clinic, or even at some pharmacies. The test is simple — just a urine sample or a swab from the affected area. You can now test for STIs by booking an online private test from Allo Health Clinic.

Can Chlamydia be cured?

Yes, chlamydia can be easily treated with antibiotics. If you get the right treatment at the right time, it’s usually gone in a week or so. But take all the medication as prescribed, even if you start to feel better before it’s finished, to make sure the infection is fully cleared.

How do you get Chlamydia?

You can get chlamydia through unprotected vaginal sex with someone who has the infection, even if they don’t have any symptoms. It’s also possible to get it through oral or anal sex also.

Can you get Chlamydia more than once?

Yes. If you got treated for chlamydia once before, you’re not immune, so you can catch it again if you're exposed. This is why make sure that your sexual partner(s) get tested and treated too, to avoid reinfection.

What happens if Chlamydia goes untreated?

If left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious health issues like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women- which in the long run causes infertility or damage to the reproductive system. Men can have some problems with the prostate or epididymis. That’s why get tested regularly, mainly if you're sexually active, even if you don’t have symptoms.

Can Chlamydia affect pregnancy?

Yes, if a pregnant woman has chlamydia, the baby can get the infection during childbirth. This causes serious complications for the baby- like eye infections or pneumonia. If you’re pregnant and think you may have been exposed to chlamydia, talk to your doctor about getting tested beforehand.

Chlamydia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, And Prevention | Easy Guide

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Chlamydia is one of the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). Any person who is sexually active is at risk of contracting Chlamydia- however, in most cases, early diagnosis through testing can help with effective recovery. Here we’ll talk all about Chlamydia- what it is, how it transmits, and how you can cure it.

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. It’s one of the most common STIs worldwide.

Types of Chlamydia

There are two types of Chlamydia infections that we’re talking about here:

Chlamydia Genital Infection: This type affects the genitals, cervix, urethra, rectum, and throat. It’s the most common form of Chlamydia.
Chlamydia Pneumoniae: This type causes respiratory infections like pneumonia. It’s less commonly seen and isn’t spread through sexual contact but instead, through air droplets (like coughing or sneezing).

For this post, we’ll focus on Genital Chlamydia, which can be acquired during sexual contact.

How Does Chlamydia Spread?

Chlamydia is mainly spread through unprotected sexual contact, that is through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth (signs in the newborn: eye infections or pneumonia).

Even if the person is asymptomatic for it- they may still infect someone else.

Note: You can’t get Chlamydia from hugging, kissing or sharing food or drinks. It’s a very specific infection that transmits with only sexual contact.

Signs and Symptoms

Some common symptoms for chlamydia are listed below- but it is important to remember that many people will show NO SYMPTOMS i.e. be asymptomatic despite having an infection:

For Women:
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Pain during sex or urination
- Abdominal pain
- Spotting between periods

For Men:
- Pain or burning during urination
- Discharge from the penis
- Swelling or pain in the testicles
Both Genders:
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding (if the infection affects the rectum)
- Sore throat (if the infection affects the throat)

Even though Chlamydia is normally symptom-free, you should get it tested if you think you’ve been exposed. It’s the only way to know for sure. Learn more about how Allo Health can help you test & treat Chlamydia.

How is Chlamydia Diagnosed?

Diagnosing Chlamydia is quick and easy nowadays. Doctors can test for it using a simple urine sample or by taking a swab from the infected area (like the cervix, urethra, or throat). If you’re a woman, you might also get a pelvic exam. Note Chlamydia is one such STI that doesn’t need a blood test to be diagnosed.

Even if you don’t have symptoms, regular testing is recommended for anyone sexually active. The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to treat.

Treatments for Chlamydia

Chlamydia is very treatable. As it is a bacterial infection, it is treated with a course of antibiotics- taken under the guidance of a doctor.

Most doctors might prescribe a single-dose antibiotic or a course of antibiotics taken over a period of time.
It’s important to take all of your prescribed medication, even when you start to feel better before you finish it.

If left untreated, Chlamydia infection increases susceptibility to HIV, and its co-infection with gonorrhoea or other STIs can complicate both diagnosis and treatment. Studies from 2024 highlight that people who are diagnosed with Chlamydia should also be screened for other STIs to prevent further complications.

Once you’ve completed the whole treatment, you should get a follow-up with your doctor to make sure the infection is completely gone.

Untreated, Chlamydia can cause some serious complications like infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and even ectopic pregnancies. These health issues can obviously affect your intimate life and future plans. Testing regularly is key.

Over the years, Allo Health has helped more than 75,000 patients with sexual health concerns. Our personalised treatment plan gives a high success rate in improving sexual function and treating STIs in our patients. Book a consultation with one of Allo’s leading experts.

How to Prevent Chlamydia

While Chlamydia is common to get, it’s also preventable. Just to be careful, here are some tips to reduce your risk:

Use Condoms Every Time: Keep using condoms during sex (vaginal, oral and anal), as it can reduce your chances of getting or spreading Chlamydia.
Get Tested Regularly: The more you keep updated about your own health, the better. If you’re sexually active, get tested for STIs (including Chlamydia) at least once a year, or more often if you have new partners.
Know Your Partners STI Status: or have your partners tested and screened too.
Talk to Your Partner: Talk it out with your partner about sexual health as early treatment can protect both of you. You and your partner need to get tested and treated before becoming sexually active together.
Don’t Do Douching: Douching can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in your vagina and increase your risk of getting infections like Chlamydia.

Key Takeaway

Chlamydia is one of the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STIs), caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It affects young adults, those under 25 years old. Many people with chlamydia don’t show symptoms, which is why it’s sometimes called a silent infection.
Up to 70% of women and 50% of men with chlamydia may not have any symptoms. This is why regular STI screenings are important, especially if you’re sexually active or have multiple partners, to catch and treat the infection before it causes complications.
Chlamydia can also infect the eyes (known as chlamydial conjunctivitis), throat (from oral sex), and rectum. While these infections are less known, they can still cause pain and need treatment.
Chlamydia might sound scary, but the good news is that with safe practices, regular testing, and the right treatment, it’s entirely preventable and treatable. If you think you might be at risk, don’t hesitate to get tested—it’s quick, easy, and could save you a lot of trouble down the road.

Most Asked Questions

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by bacteria. It affects both men and women and is spread through sexual contact- vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Many people with chlamydia don’t show any symptoms, so they might have it without even knowing.
How can I get tested for chlamydia?

Testing for chlamydia is typically done through a urine test or swab sample. You can get tested at your healthcare provider's office, a sexual health clinic, or through home testing kits. It's important to get tested regularly, especially if you're sexually active or have multiple partners.
How do you know if you have Chlamydia?

The only way to be sure is by getting tested. You can get tested for chlamydia at a clinic, or even at some pharmacies. The test is simple — just a urine sample or a swab from the affected area. You can now test for STIs by booking an online private test from Allo Health Clinic.
Can Chlamydia be cured?

Yes, chlamydia can be easily treated with antibiotics. If you get the right treatment at the right time, it’s usually gone in a week or so. But take all the medication as prescribed, even if you start to feel better before it’s finished, to make sure the infection is fully cleared.
How do you get Chlamydia?

You can get chlamydia through unprotected vaginal sex with someone who has the infection, even if they don’t have any symptoms. It’s also possible to get it through oral or anal sex also.
Can you get Chlamydia more than once?

Yes. If you got treated for chlamydia once before, you’re not immune, so you can catch it again if you're exposed. This is why make sure that your sexual partner(s) get tested and treated too, to avoid reinfection.
What happens if Chlamydia goes untreated?

If left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious health issues like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women- which in the long run causes infertility or damage to the reproductive system. Men can have some problems with the prostate or epididymis. That’s why get tested regularly, mainly if you're sexually active, even if you don’t have symptoms.
Can Chlamydia affect pregnancy?

Yes, if a pregnant woman has chlamydia, the baby can get the infection during childbirth. This causes serious complications for the baby- like eye infections or pneumonia. If you’re pregnant and think you may have been exposed to chlamydia, talk to your doctor about getting tested beforehand.