Chlamydia - The Facts
What is chlamydia?
- It's an infection which can be passed on during sex, including oral sex and even with a condom
- It is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK, and can affect both men and women. 1 in 10 sexually active people under 25 have it.
- It often shows no symptoms, so you could be in contact with chlamydia without realising it
- Without proper treatment, chlamydia can spread to other parts of the body causing damage and serious long-term complications such as not being able to have a baby in the future (men and women!)
Why is it important to be tested?
- It is often without symptoms so can easily go undetected. You may not know you have it!
- It can lead to serious problems including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women and men.
- It's easily and completely cured with antibiotics
How could I get chlamydia?
- You get it by having sex (vaginal, anal or oral, or by sharing sex toys) with someone who already has chlamydia
- This may have been recently, or many months ago
- You can also pass the infection to the eyes if it is on the hands
- A mother can pass it to her baby at birth
- You can't catch chlamydia from kissing, hugging, sharing baths, towels, cups, plates or cutlery, or from toilet seats
How often should I test?
- We recommend that you get a check-up at least every 6 months (just like going to the dentist) or more often if you are changing partner or have had unprotected sex.
