Step 1: Order Online
Select the STD test or panel that’s right for you. No doctor’s referral needed. Call (866) 566-8711 for personalized assistance.
Step 2: Visit a Local Lab
Stop by one of our 4,500+ testing centers. Most visits take less than 15 minutes.
Step 3: Get Your Results
Access your results securely online, typically within 1-2 days. If you test positive treatment can be prescribed.
What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States, with approximately 1.6 million new cases reported annually according to the CDC. Caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, it can infect both men and women and can cause serious health problems if left untreated.
Often called a “silent” infection, chlamydia frequently causes no symptoms, allowing the infection to go undetected while potentially causing damage to the reproductive system and other complications.
If you’re concerned about chlamydia or other STDs, call (866) 566-8711 to learn about testing options.
How Chlamydia Spreads
Chlamydia is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person’s genitals, rectum, or mouth. It can be spread even when an infected person shows no symptoms.
Chlamydia is transmitted through:
- Vaginal sex
- Anal sex
- Oral sex (less commonly)
- Mother to baby during childbirth
Chlamydia is NOT spread through:
- Casual contact
- Sharing food or drinks
- Kissing
- Toilet seats
- Swimming pools or hot tubs
- Touching contaminated surfaces
Chlamydia Symptoms
Although chlamydia is known as a “silent” infection because many infected people have no symptoms, some individuals do experience noticeable signs.
Symptoms in Women
- Abnormal vaginal discharge that may have an unusual odor
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Lower abdominal pain
- Fever and nausea if the infection has spread to the fallopian tubes
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding (if infection is rectal)
Symptoms in Men
- Clear or cloudy discharge from the penis
- Burning or painful urination
- Testicular pain or swelling
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding (if infection is rectal)
Important Facts About Chlamydia Symptoms
- Up to 90% of women and 50% of men with chlamydia show no symptoms
- Symptoms may not appear until 1-3 weeks after exposure
- Many people mistake symptoms for a urinary tract infection
- You can have chlamydia for months or even years without knowing it
Chlamydia Complications
Although chlamydia is known as a “silent” infection because many infected people have no symptoms, some individuals do experience noticeable signs.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Infection that spreads to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries
- Can cause permanent damage to the reproductive system
- Affects up to 15% of women with untreated chlamydia
- Often causes no symptoms until damage has occurred
Infertility
- Damage to fallopian tubes can make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant
- PID causes infertility in approximately 12% of women
Ectopic pregnancy
- Increased risk of pregnancy outside the uterus
- Can be life-threatening and requires emergency treatment
- Women with previous chlamydial infection have a 7-10 times higher risk
Chronic pelvic pain
- Long-lasting pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis
- Can persist for months or years after the initial infection
Increased risk of HIV
- Chlamydia infection makes it easier to contract HIV if exposed
- Creates inflammation that increases vulnerability to HIV
Epididymitis
- Infection of the epididymis (tube that carries sperm)
- Can cause pain, swelling, and in rare cases, infertility
- Typically resolves with appropriate treatment
Urethritis
- Inflammation of the urethra causing painful urination
- Can become chronic if not properly treated
Reactive arthritis (formerly Reiter’s syndrome)
- Joint pain and inflammation triggered by the infection
- Can also cause eye inflammation and urinary symptoms
- Affects a small percentage of men with chlamydia
Proctitis
- Inflammation of the rectum causing rectal pain and discharge
- Common in men who have receptive anal sex
Increased risk of HIV
Chlamydia infection makes it easier to contract HIV if exposed
Premature birth
Low birth weight babies
Transmission to the baby during childbirth, which can cause:
- Eye infections (conjunctivitis)
- Pneumonia
- In rare cases, serious infections requiring hospitalization
The Biology of Chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which is unique among bacteria because it:
- Cannot replicate outside of a host cell
- Has a complex life cycle with multiple stages
- Can enter a dormant state when exposed to certain antibiotics
- Contains different serotypes (variants) that can cause different diseases
- Uses specific proteins to attach to and enter host cells
The bacterium primarily targets columnar epithelial cells found in the genital tract, rectum, throat, and eyes. Once inside these cells, the bacteria multiply and can spread to nearby tissue.
Chlamydia and Other Conditions
Chlamydia infections are associated with several other health conditions:
-
Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)
-
Trachoma
-
Cervical Cancer
- A more invasive, systemic form of chlamydial infection
- Caused by specific strains of Chlamydia trachomatis
- Can cause severe rectal symptoms, lymph node swelling, and scarring
- More common in men who have sex with men
- Requires longer antibiotic treatment than typical chlamydia
- A different type of chlamydial infection that affects the eyes
- Leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide
- Spread through direct contact with infected eyes or nasal discharge
- Common in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water
- Not typically sexually transmitted
- Some studies suggest a possible link between chronic chlamydia infection and increased risk of cervical cancer
- May be due to persistent inflammation
- Research is ongoing to establish a clear connection
Risk Factors for Chlamydia
Certain factors increase the risk of contracting chlamydia:
- Age – Young people (15-24) have the highest rates of infection
- Multiple sexual partners – More partners means more potential exposure
- History of STDs – Previous infection increases risk of reinfection
- Inconsistent condom use – Proper condom use significantly reduces risk
- New sexual partner – Any new sexual relationship increases risk
- Men who have sex with men – Higher prevalence in this population
Mother with chlamydia – Babies can contract the infection during birth
Preventing Chlamydia
The best way to prevent chlamydia is to practice safe sex:
- Use condoms correctly every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex
- Limit your number of sexual partners
- Get tested regularly, especially when starting with new partners
- Ensure all partners get tested for STDs
- Avoid sexual contact if you or your partner has symptoms or is being treated
- Consider dental dams for oral sex to reduce risk
Get retested 3 months after treatment if diagnosed, as reinfection is common
Chlamydia Facts and Statistics
- Chlamydia is the most reported bacterial infectious disease in the United States
- Rates have been increasing over the past decade
- Women are more frequently tested than men, which affects reported rates
- Up to 40% of women with untreated chlamydia will develop PID
- The economic burden of chlamydia in the U.S. is estimated at $517 million annually
- Repeat infections are common, occurring in up to 20% of individuals within one year after treatment
- Chlamydia is more common in areas with lower socioeconomic status and limited healthcare access
Frequently Asked Questions About Chlamydia
Although chlamydia is known as a “silent” infection because many infected people have no symptoms, some individuals do experience noticeable signs.
No, chlamydia cannot be transmitted through kissing, sharing food or drinks, or casual contact.
If symptoms do appear, they typically develop 1-3 weeks after exposure, but many people never experience symptoms.
No, chlamydia requires antibiotic treatment. Without treatment, it can persist for months or years and lead to serious health complications.
Untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women, which can lead to infertility. In men, it rarely affects fertility but can cause epididymitis.
Yes, since chlamydia often has no symptoms, many people are infected for months or even years without knowing until they get tested or develop complications.
Modern nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for chlamydia are over 95% accurate when performed correctly.
Chlamydia does not show who transmitted the infection. Since many people have no symptoms, either partner may have had it without knowing.
No, chlamydia cannot survive outside the body long enough to be transmitted from surfaces like toilet seats.
Yes, chlamydia is curable with appropriate antibiotic treatment. However, you can be reinfected if exposed again.
Learn More About Chlamydia Testing
If you’re concerned about chlamydia or want to get tested, call (866) 566-8711 to speak with a care advisor who can help you understand your testing options.
LocalSTDTesting is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions about medical conditions.
