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Onondaga County Health Department is nationally accredited and meets rigorous public health standards necessary to best serve the needs of our community.

Chlamydia

So what is chlamydia anyway?
Chlamydia is a common STI that can affect men and women. It can cause serious and permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system which can make it difficult or impossible for a woman to become pregnant.

How do you get chlamydia in the first place?
You can get chlamydia by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who already has chlamydia. If your sex partner is male, you can get chlamydia from him even if he does not ejaculate (cum). If you have had chlamydia before, you can get infected with it again if you have unprotected sex (sex without using a condom) with someone who has chlamydia. Because chlamydia does not always have symptoms, it is best to use a condom each time you have sex.

How can I tell if I have chlamydia?
Some people who have chlamydia do not even know it because sometimes there are no symptoms. Some people may have symptoms such as:

• unusual vaginal discharge that is yellow and has a bad odor
• a burning feeling when you pee and/or you pee a lot more than usual
• bleeding between your period or heavier periods than usual
• painful sex or bleeding after having had sex
• pain in the lower part of your stomach (sometimes with nausea and fever)
• swelling in the skin inside the vagina or around the anus

How do I find out for sure if I have chlamydia?
The only way is to get tested. When you come into the Sexual Wellness Center, you will be asked to urinate (pee) in a cup (this is one step to find out if you have chlamydia). A nurse will also take a swab sample from your vagina, penis, throat, or anus. The good news is, you get the results in about five days. Do not have sex until you know the test result.

So if I find out I do have chlamydia, then what?
You will be given antibiotic pills (they are free). After you take the pills correctly, you will be CURED! Always use a condom when having sex to reduce your risk of getting chlamydia or any STI again. Notify your partners to get tested and treated.

What if I find out I have chlamydia and I am pregnant?
If you are pregnant and have chlamydia, you can pass chlamydia to your baby when you give birth. This may cause your baby to get an eye infection or pneumonia. Also, some women who have chlamydia when they are pregnant end up having the baby too early (which is called a premature birth). If you are pregnant, you should be tested for chlamydia at every prenatal appointment. If you have chlamydia, get treatment to protect your baby.