The Silent STI: What You Need to Know About Chlamydia



Chlamydia is an STI (sexually transmitted infection) that is often referred to as the “silent STI”. This is because many people who have it don’t show any symptoms, making it difficult to detect and diagnose. In fact, up to 70% of women and 50% of men with chlamydia don’t show any signs or symptoms. This means that if left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious health problems down the road.

Chlamydia is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis and can be spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the infection. It can also be passed from mother to baby during childbirth.

If you think you may have been exposed to chlamydia, it’s important to get tested right away so that you can begin treatment if necessary. The most common test for chlamydia involves a urine sample or swabbing the inside of the penis or vagina for cells that contain the bacteria. If your test comes back positive for chlamydia, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics such as doxycycline or azithromycin in order to clear up the infection.

It’s important to remember that even after treatment, you may still be able to pass on chlamydia if you have unprotected sex with someone who has not been treated for it yet. That’s why it’s essential for both partners in a relationship to get tested before engaging in sexual activity and use condoms whenever possible in order protect yourself from getting infected again.

In addition, it’s important to keep in mind that while chlamydia doesn't always cause symptoms right away, long-term effects can include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can lead infertility and ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus). Therefore, it's crucial for anyone who has had unprotected sex with multiple partners or suspects they may have been exposed get tested regularly so they can catch any infections early on before they become more serious health issues down the road.

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