Chlamydia

What is it?
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection.

Who gets it?
Both men and women–the prevalence of Chlamydia is highest in young people.

Am I at risk?
If you are sexually active you can contract Chlamydia. Condoms only reduce the risk by approximately 50%. And that is only if a condom is used 100% of the time.

How will I know if I am infected?
Most infected people–especially women–don’t have symptoms. Even without symptoms, infected people can pass Chlamydia to every person they have sex with. When there are symptoms, they may include vaginal or urethral discharge, burning with urination, pelvic pain in women, and swelling and tenderness of scrotum in men. Even if treated, the damage already done to your body cannot be reversed.

What should I do if I am sexually active?
Get tested. Don’t put it off. Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics. But if you don’t know you are infected you won’t be treated. If treatment is delayed, you can continue to pass it on. Infected women can get pelvic inflammatory disease if Chlamydia is not treated. PID causes severe abdominal pain and can lead to infertility.

What can I do to avoid being infected?
Wait for sex. Your life is well worth the wait! If you are already having sex…Get checked. Then next time, remember you are worth the wait!

Other Types of S.T.D.s