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Is chlamydia serious?

Most cases of chlamydia will clear up with simple antibiotic treatment. In some cases, if left untreated, chlamydia infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and damage the reproductive system. In serious cases, chlamydia can lead to trouble getting pregnant or an inability to get pregnant (infertility). Chlamydia can also be very serious if it is passed on to a baby during childbirth as it can cause lung infections and eye damage.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection. It can affect both men and women and can be passed on to others by having unprotected sex.

What causes chlamydia?

Chlamydia is caused by a type of bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis. It is spread through sexual contact that includes vaginal, oral and anal sex. A pregnant woman with chlamydia can also pass the infection on to her baby during childbirth.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

Most people that are infected with chlamydia will not have any symptoms. If the symptoms are present, they can include pain when urinating and an unusual discharge from the penis or vagina. Women may also experience pain during sex, bleeding after sex …

Who gets chlamydia?

Anyone who is sexually active can potentially get chlamydia. The condition can affect both men and women. People who do not practice safe sex, have multiple sexual partners or have a history of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) are more likely to get chlamydia.

How is chlamydia diagnosed?

To diagnose chlamydia, a doctor will collect a sample of urine or take a swab from areas most likely to be affected by the infection. This may include the vagina, cervix, penis or anus. The samples are sent off to a laboratory and tested to see if the bacteria …

How is chlamydia treated?

Chlamydia is usually treated with antibiotics to control the bacterial infection. To prevent getting chlamydia again, it is recommended that any sexual partners also be tested and treated for chlamydia.

Can chlamydia be prevented?

Chlamydia can be prevented by practicing safe sex, which means using a condom when having sex. Because some people who are infected with chlamydia do not show any symptoms, getting tested for chlamydia regularly if there is a high risk of infection may also help …

What is pelvic inflammatory disease?

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a condition that can occur when sexually-transmitted infections affect parts of the reproductive system, including the uterus and fallopian tubes. This may result in a fever and pain in the pelvic region. In severe cases, …

How common is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in Australia. It is not known how many people have chlamydia because many people with the condition may not even know they have it, as it does not always show symptoms. Chlamydia is most common …

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Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, is the infection of a woman’s reproductive organs and surrounding pelvic tissues. It occurs most commonly when a sexually-transmitted infection spreads beyond the vagina to internal pelvic organs. This can lead to long-term complications if not recognised and treated early.…
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Vaginal discharge

It is normal for women to have some vaginal discharge. The appearance and amount of discharge will vary, according to factors such as ovulation, pregnancy or starting oral contraceptive medication. There are infections such as thrush, chlamydia and gonorrhoea that can also cause changes to vaginal discharge.…
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About this article

Author: Jonathan Meddings BMedLabSc (Hons)
First answered: 03 Oct 2014
Last reviewed: 14 May 2019
Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Votes: 907 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Gonorrhea

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