What You Need to Know About Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a sexually
transmitted disease (STD).
About 2.8 million men and
women get chlamydia each year. It is
the most common STD among teens
and young adults.
Why Is It Important to Prevent Chlamydia?
Chlamydia can cause many problems in women. It can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause lasting harm to the fallopian tubes. This means a woman may not be able to have a baby. The damage also can cause pain that won’t go away.
Sometimes a blocked tube can cause a pregnancy to grow outside the uterus. This can be very dangerous and may even cause death. Chlamydia also can cause premature birth. Babies can get chlamydia during birth.
Men with chlamydia can have pain and fever. They also can become sterile—unable to have babies.
Why Are So Many People Getting Chlamydia?
More and more people get chlamydia every year. This happens because:
- Most people don’t know they have chlamydia. 75% of women and 50% of men never have any symptoms.
- Many people don’t know they can spread the disease.
- People may be having more unprotected sex. You can get STDs the first time you have sex.
What Can We Do?
Chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics. Usually people have to take medicine for 7 to 10 days.
All women should get a chlamydia test every year if they are having sex. All pregnant women should be tested.
