Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Bacteria from an infected sex partner causes the infection. This can happen during oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
The infection is most common among people under 24 years old. It is also more common in people who are Black or Hispanic.
Other things that raise your risk are:
Most people do not have signs of infection. If they do happen, they may be:
In men:
In women:
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. An exam will be done.
You will have these tests:
The infection is treated with antibiotics.
To help yourself get better:
To lower your chances of getting this infection:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office on Women's Health—US Department of Health and Human Services
Health Canada
The Sex Information & Education Council of Canada
2015 Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/default.htm. Updated January 25, 2017. Accessed August 1, 2018.
Blas MM, Canchihuaman FA, Alva Ie, Hawes SE. Pregnancy outcomes in women infected with Chlamydia trachomatis: a population-based cohort study in Washington State. Sex Transm Infect. 2007;83(4):314-318.
Chlamydia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/default.htm. Updated October 31, 2017. Accessed August 1, 2018.
Chlamydia genital infection. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114223/Chlamydi...enital-infection. Updated August 23, 2017. Accessed August 1, 2018.
Chlamydia fact sheet. Office on Women's Health—US Department of Health and Human Services website. Available at: http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/chlamydia.html. Updated June 14, 2018. Accessed August 1, 2018.
Gottlieb SL, Martin DH, Xu F, Byrne GI, Brunham RC. Summary: The natural history and immunobiology of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection and implications for Chlamydia control. J Infect Dis. 2010;201 Suppl 2:S190-S204.
Kent CK, Chaw JK, Wong W, et al. Prevalence of rectal, urethral, and pharyngeal chlamydia and gonorrhea detected in 2 clinical settings among men who have sex with men: San Francisco, California, 2003. Clin Infect Dis. 2005;41(1):67-74.
3/17/2015 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114223/Chlamydi...enital-infection: LeFevre ML, U.S. Preventive Services Task force. Screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2014;161(12):902-910.
Last reviewed June 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.