What Is Chlamydia? Understanding The Risks and Symptoms

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is one of the most common STIs, with an estimated 2.86 million cases reported in the United States in 2018 alone. Chlamydia can be spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex with someone who has it. It can also be passed from mother to baby during childbirth.

Chlamydia is often asymptomatic, meaning that people may not experience any symptoms at all. However, if symptoms do occur they may include pain or burning when urinating, abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina, pain during sex for women, and testicular pain for men. If left untreated chlamydia can lead to serious health complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women and infertility in both men and women.

The best way to prevent chlamydia is to practice safe sex by using condoms and dental dams every time you have sexual contact with someone new or multiple partners. Regular testing for STIs is also important so that if you do contract chlamydia it can be treated quickly before any serious health complications arise.

It’s important to remember that anyone who is sexually active can get chlamydia regardless of age or gender so it’s essential that everyone takes steps to protect themselves against this potentially dangerous infection by practicing safe sex and getting tested regularly for STIs including chlamydia.

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Chlamydia, sexually transmitted infection (STI), Chlamydia trachomatis, pain or burning when urinating, abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, safe sex, condoms and dental dams, regular testing for STIs,

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