Chlamydia

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How is Chlamydia diagnosed?

There are laboratory tests to diagnose Chlamydia. Some can be performed on urine, other tests require that a specimen be collected from a site such as the penis or cervix.
How is Chlamydia treated?

Go to a clinic or doctor right away to get checked. If you have Chlamydia, you will be given medicine to take. Keep taking the medicine until it’s all gone, even if you feel better. It takes one week for the medicine to cure the disease. Tell your sex partner(s) that they may have Chlamydia and need to get checked. Don’t have sex until both you and your partner(s) are treated.

Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. A single dose of azithromycin or a week of doxycycline (twice daily) are the most commonly used treatments.

HIV-positive persons with Chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV negative.

All sex partners should be evaluated, tested, and treated. Persons with Chlamydia should abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their sex partners have completed treatment, otherwise re-infection is possible.

Women whose sex partners have not been appropriately treated are at high risk for re-infection. Having multiple infections increases a woman's risk of serious reproductive health complications, including infertility. Retesting should be considered for women, especially adolescents, three to four months after treatment. This is especially true if a woman does not know if her sex partner received treatment.

How is Chlamydia prevented?

Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of Chlamydia.

Chlamydia screening is recommended annually for all sexually active women 25 years of age and younger. An annual screening test also is recommended for older women with risk factors for Chlamydia (a new sex partner or multiple sex partners). All pregnant women should have a screening test for Chlamydia.

Any genital symptoms such as discharge or burning during urination or unusual sore or rash should be a signal to stop having sex and to consult a health care provider immediately. If a person has been treated for Chlamydia (or any other STI), he or she should notify all recent sex partners so they can see a health care provider and be treated. This will reduce the risk that the sex partners will develop serious complications from Chlamydia and will also reduce the person's risk of becoming re-infected. The person and all of his or her sex partners must avoid sex until they have completed their treatment for Chlamydia.