This document discusses chlamydia, a common sexually transmitted infection. It notes that chlamydia can often have no symptoms but can cause serious health problems if left untreated. It recommends getting tested, which is the only way to know for certain if you have an STI. While antibiotics can cure chlamydia, the best protections are abstinence, mutual monogamy, reducing partners, and condom use.

1. This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC.

2. Chlamydia is a common
STD that can cause
infection among both
men and women.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

3. You can get
chlamydia by having
vaginal, anal, or oral
sex with someone
who has chlamydia.

4. So, getting tested is a must, but don’t worry — most of the time it’s
quick, easy, and totally painless. Wondering where to get tested for STIs?
Your local Planned Parenthood health center is a great place to start.
Get tested ASAP. Testing is the only way to know if you have an
STI and what STI you have. Some STIs have similar symptoms,
some STI symptoms can look like other things (like pimples or
yeast infections), and sometimes you have no symptoms at all.
If you think you might have an STD :

5. Chlamydia often has
no symptoms, but it
can cause serious
health problems,
even without
symptoms
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC.

6. When it does have
symptoms
W
O
M
E
N
M
E
N
An abnormal vaginal discharge
A burning sensation when peeing.
It can cause permanent damage to a
woman’s reproductive system.
A discharge from their penis
A burning sensation when
peeing
Pain and swelling in one or
both testicles

7. Laboratory tests
can diagnose chlamydia.
By providing a
urine sample for testing.

8. The initial damage that chlamydia
causes often goes unnoticed. However,
chlamydia can lead to serious health
problems.
IF GOES UNTREATED
:

9. In women, untreated chlamydia
can cause pelvic inflammatory
disease (PID). Men rarely have health
problems from
chlamydia. The infection
can cause a fever and
pain in the tubes
attached to the testicles.
This can, in rare cases,
lead to infertility.
Untreated
chlamydia may also
increase your chances
of getting or giving HIV.

10. Antibiotics can easily
cure chlamydia.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY.

11. Abstinence
PROTECT YOURSELF
Vaccination
Use
Condoms
Mutual
Monogamy
Reduce
Number of
Sex Partners