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Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a very common bacterial infection that is sexually transmitted. It can be very easily treated with antibiotics.

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What is chlamydia and how common is it? 

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia can be easily treated with antibiotics.   

If left untreated, it can lead to serious problems such as ectopic pregnancy (potentially dangerous pregnancy outside the womb), pelvic inflammatory disease (infection of the womb and fallopian tubes) and infertility (not being able to get pregnant) in women, and epididymitis (inflammation of tube at the back of the testicle) in men. 

How is chlamydia transmitted?   

Chlamydia can be passed on in several ways including:   

  • Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
  • Sharing sex toys
  • Mutual masturbation

It can be passed on even if your sexual partner doesn’t ejaculate (cum).   

Chlamydia cannot be passed on through:  

  • Kissing
  • Hugging
  • Swimming pools
  • Toilet seats 

How do I reduce my risk of getting chlamydia?  

Using condoms correctly and every time you have sex greatly lowers the chance of chlamydia being passed on. Having unprotected sex (without a condom) leads to much higher rates of chlamydia transmission.    

What are the symptoms of chlamydia? 

Chlamydia often causes no symptoms.  

If you do develop symptoms, it can be weeks to months after having sex with someone with the infection. Symptoms may disappear without treatment, but this does not mean the infection has gone away so it is still important to get tested.  

Chlamydia symptoms can include:

unusual discharge or bleeding from the vagina
pain in the abdomen (lower belly) or pelvis in females
pain during urination (peeing)
discharge from the penis
pain and swelling in the testicles (balls)
pain, discharge, or bleeding from the rectum (back passage)

Though chlamydia can spread to the throat through oral sex, it usually does not cause symptoms or contribute significantly to sore throats.   

How is chlamydia diagnosed? 

The tests for chlamydia are painless, reliable, and free. You can usually collect the sample yourself. 

There are two main methods for collecting the sample:   

  • Urine sample: Take a small urine pot to the bathroom and pee in it.
  • Swabbing: Wipe a small cotton bud gently over the potentially infected area, such as inside the vagina, throat, or anus.

It can take up to 2 weeks after sexual contact for the test to detect chlamydia; this is known as the window period. However, if there is a high likelihood that you have chlamydia, for example, if you’re experiencing symptoms or have had unprotected sex with a partner diagnosed with chlamydia, you may begin treatment before receiving your results. 

We are unable to offer a same-day test or blood tests for chlamydia at Brighton and Hove SHAC. Results from our tests are typically available within 14 days. 

Where can I get a free test for chlamydia in Brighton and Hove?  

Chlamydia testing is free and there are lots of testing options available depending on where you live and why you want to test.

How is chlamydia treated?   

Chlamydia is usually treated very effectively with tablet antibiotics. The standard treatment is one week of doxycycline 100mg twice a day.  

Before having sex again, you should ensure:  

  • You have completed the treatment
  • It has been at least 7 days since you started the treatment
  • Your partner(s) has/have been treated – this helps prevent passing on the infection or getting re-infected

Are there any side effects of chlamydia treatment? 

While taking the treatment, some people may experience side effects. These are usually mild, and commonly include stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, nausea (feeling sick), yeast infections (thrush) in women, and skin sensitivity to sunlight. It is important to avoid direct sunlight and wear a high factor sunscreen.  

What follow up is needed after treatment?  

Usually no follow-up is needed. You do not need to repeat a test to check if the chlamydia has been cleared (test of cure) if you have taken your antibiotics correctly. You should not re-test for chlamydia within 5 weeks of completing the treatment. The test is very sensitive and may still detect residual inactive bacteria and return a false positive result.  

If you are pregnant you should have a test of cure, even if you have taken the medication correctly. 

If you miss doses of your medication, have ongoing symptoms, or engage in sexual activity before you or your partner(s) have completed treatment, please call us on 01273 523 388 for further advice.  

Phone lines are closed on Bank Holidays.

Monday: 9.15am to 4.30pm

Tuesday: 9.15am to 4.30pm

Wednesday: 12.30pm to 4.30pm

Thursday: 9.15am to 4.30pm

Friday: 9.15am to 4.30pm

Other frequently asked questions (FAQs) about chlamydia    

Ideally testing should be 2 weeks after sexual contact to take the window period into account.  

We recommend routinely testing for chlamydia at least once a year if you have changed sexual partners. If you have multiple partners, consider testing every 3 months.   

We recommend getting tested if: 

  • You have had sex with someone who has been diagnosed with chlamydia
  • You or your partner are experiencing symptoms of chlamydia
  • You have had sex with a new partner
  • Any of your sexual partners have had sex with other people
  • You are pregnant or planning to get pregnant

Chlamydia often does not cause symptoms, making it difficult to know when you got the infection. The only way to confirm if you have chlamydia is through testing. If you have tested positive and have not been tested before, it is possible you could have had chlamydia for months or years.   

Yes, chlamydia can be transmitted through sexual activities, including oral sex, mutual masturbation and the sharing of sex toys. The risk of transmission can be reduced by using barriers, such as dental dams for oral sex, condoms on sex toys, and washing sex toys after use.   

You will be seen by a member of the clinical team. The appointment is confidential and usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes . We will ask about your recent sexual activity and any symptoms you may have. If you have symptoms, you may be offered an examination.    

Sexual partners in the last 6 months should be informed that they may have been in contact with chlamydia. We can let them know anonymously on your behalf, or you can contact them yourself if you prefer. As chlamydia often has no symptoms, it is possible that your recent partners could have chlamydia without being aware of it. By telling them of your diagnosis, they can test and get treatment if necessary, reducing the onward transmission of chlamydia to others.  

In women, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which often has symptoms such as abdominal pain, pain during sex, bleeding after sex and/or between periods, and a change in vaginal discharge. Severe cases of PID can result in infertility.   

Regular testing for chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), along with prompt treatment, can help prevent PID and infertility. 

You can have sex again when:  

  • You have completed the treatment
  • It has been at least 7 days since you started the treatment
  • Your partner(s) has/have been treated

These measures help prevent passing the infection on or getting re-infected straight away. 

No, you should not have sex during treatment, even with a condom. This is because the infection may not have cleared yet, and you could risk transmitting it to your partner. Although condoms significantly reduce the transmission of chlamydia, they cannot get rid of the risk entirely.   

Yes, having chlamydia does not reduce the risk of catching it again. Therefore, you should continue to test regularly.   

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