Frequently Asked Questions
CHLAMYDIA

What is CHLAMYDIA?			Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) 
					caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis which can 
					damage a woman's reproductive organs. Even though 	
					symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious 	
					complications that cause irreversible damage, including 	
					infertility, can occur “silently” before a woman ever recognizes 
					a problem. Chlamydia also can cause discharge from the penis 
					of an infected man.

How do people				Chlamydia is transmitted during vaginal, anal or oral sex.               
get chlamydia?				Chlamydia can also be passed from an infected mother to her 
					newborn during vaginal childbirth. 

What are the signs 			Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because three     
and symptoms				quarters of infected women and half of infected men 	   
of chlamydia?				have no symptoms.  Women with symptoms might have an 
					abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when 	
					urinating, low abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, 
					pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual 	
					periods. Men with signs or symptoms might have a discharge 
					from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. Men 
					might also have burning and itching around the opening of the 
					penis.

How is chlamydia			There are laboratory tests to diagnose chlamydia. Some can   
diagnosed?				be performed on urine; other tests require that a specimen 	
					be collected from a site such as the penis or cervix.

How is chlamydia			Chlamydia is easily treated and cured with antibiotics. 
treated?				Azithromycin and Doxycycline are the most commonly used 
					treatments. All sex partners should be evaluated, tested and 
					treated.

Who is at risk for 			Sexually active men and women can be exposed to chlamydia 
chlamydia?				during sexual contact with an infected person. 

What complications			In women, untreated infection can spread into the uterus or 
can result from				fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). 
untreated chlamydia?			PID can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility and ectopic 	
					pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus).
					In pregnant women, chlamydia infections may cause 	
					premature delivery. Babies born to infected mothers can get 
					chlamydia infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts. 	
					Chlamydia is a leading cause of early infant pneumonia and 
					conjunctivitis (pinkeye) in newborns. 

How can chlamydia			The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted          
be prevented?				diseases is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-
					term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who 
					was tested and is known to be uninfected. Latex or 		
					polyurethane male condoms, when used consistently and 	
					correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of chlamydia. 

For more information:			Call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 	
					1-800-232-4636, TTY: 1-888-232-6348 In English en Español. 
 
 

Contact Number: STD Program, (302) 744-1050
Revised: 03/2007  Doc. #35-05-20/07/03/07