What is Chlamydia – Everything You Need to Know

If you think you have Chlamydia you likely have a lot of questions about the condition and what you need to do next. We understand that it can be a scary and confusing situation to be in, which is why our sexual health experts have put together a comprehensive guide. In this article, we cover everything from what Chlamydia is to how it presents, how it is transmitted, how to get tested, and how it’s treated. 

But, first things first, what is Chlamydia? Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection. It is one of the most common STIs in the UK, estimated to be present in 1 in 10 young people. The disease is usually asymptomatic but is easily treated with antibiotics after diagnosis. If left untreated Chlamydia can cause a number of health complications.

Read on to learn more about Chlamydia with Your Sexual Health. We take a deeper look into what exactly Chlamydia is, as well as how it is caught and transmitted, what it looks like, its symptoms, how it’s treated and more. We also answer some of your common questions around the topic to help clear things up.

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK. It is a bacterial infection that can only be passed on through sexual contact with an infected individual. It rarely presents with symptoms. As such, many people don’t know that they have it. However, in these cases, it can still be transmitted months and even years after the initial infection. 

Despite its prevalence and contagious nature, Chlamydia is not considered a serious condition. If caught early, it can be easily treated with antibiotics. However, if the condition is left untreated it can cause a range of complications including infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease. For this reason, it’s important to get tested regularly.

If you’ve had unprotected sex with someone who has Chlamydia then the chances are that you have it too. You then pose the risk of passing on the condition to future sexual partners. 

How Common is Chlamydia in the UK?

Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in the UK. In fact, it’s estimated that 1 in 10 sexually active young people have the condition. Government data from 2021 indicated that Chlamydia may be on the decline, however, as positive test results have decreased by 5% since 2020.

This data also indicates that young people are more serious about their sexual health, with a 4% rise in Chlamydia testing since 2020, and a 40% increase in online Chlamydia test purchases over the same period. Additionally, sexual health screens across the board increased by 18% whilst diagnoses of new STIs decreased by 33%. 

What Does Chlamydia Look Like? Signs and Symptoms

For most people, Chlamydia does not present with any symptoms. Many people can go months and even years without knowing they have it, which is why regular STI testing is so important if you’re sexually active.

That being said, some people with Chlamydia do present symptoms. 

What Does Chlamydia Look Like in Men?

• Pain when urinating
• White, cloudy or watery discharge from the tip of the penis
• Burning or itching in the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body)
• Pain in the testicles

What Does Chlamydia Look Like in Women?

• Pain when urinating
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Pain in the tummy or pelvis
• Pain during sex
• Bleeding after sex
• Bleeding between periods

Can Chlamydia Lay Dormant?

As we have already touched on, Chlamydia can lay dormant for long periods of time without the carrier knowing. Additionally, it’s highly unlikely that Chlamydia would go away on its own, which is why regular STI testing is so important. 

Learn more about this in our dedicated blog, How Long Can Chlamydia Lay Dormant?, where we go into much more detail and discuss what happens if the condition goes untreated.

How Do You Catch Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that is spread by sex or contact with an infected person’s genital fluids. There are a range of ways that this can be passed between one person to another: 

• The most common cause is unprotected vaginal sex with an infected individual.
• Sharing sex toys can also cause the spread of chlamydia and a condom should be used to prevent this when sharing sex toys.
• Genital contact without penetration may cause the condition to spread, even without orgasm or ejaculation.
• In rare instances the disease can be passed into the eye if contact is made with semen or vaginal fluid.

Can You Get Chlamydia From Oral Sex?

Giving oral sex to a partner that has Chlamydia can result in Chlamydia in the throat. This applies to both men and women and also applies to oral sex in relation to the anus.

Likewise, if a partner has Chlamydia in the throat and performs oral sex on a new partner, this can transmit the disease to the new partner’s genitals or urinary tract. 

Can You Get Chlamydia Without Having Sex?

Whilst the most common way of catching Chlamydia is via sex, it can still be transmitted without penetration or oral sex. Here are a few ways in which Chlamydia can be transmitted without having sex:

• Through sharing sex toys that have not been washed or covered with a new condom each time they are used
• Genitals coming into contact with each other – this applies even if there is no penetration involved
• Touching an infected person’s genitals then touching your own

Can You Get Chlamydia From Kissing?

You cannot catch Chlamydia from kissing. You also cannot catch Chlamydia through other forms of casual contact such as: 

• Sharing food or drinks
• Sharing cups, cutlery or napkins
• Toilet seats
• Swimming pools
• Towels

Learn more about this topic in our blog, Can You Catch Chlamydia from Kissing, where we go into more detail about how the disease is transmitted.

Measures To Protect Yourself Against Chlamydia

Whilst testing and treatment is readily available across the UK, prevention is always better than a cure. Here are just a few ways to reduce the risk of catching STIs:

• Get tested regularly and always before entering new partnerships
• Use condoms (not 100% effective against STIs but reduce the risk of contracting a disease). This includes vaginal, oral and anal sex
• Don’t share sex toys

How to Test for Chlamydia

As Chlamydia is asymptomatic for most people, the only way to know for sure if you have the disease is to take an STI test. In many cases, Chlamydia tests can be done at a sexual health clinic, via an at-home postal kit or via a home visit. 

Usually, Chlamydia tests are conducted using a urine sample, throat swab or rectal swab. You need to wait at least 14 days after exposure before taking the test to ensure accurate results. 

Your Sexual Health offers a range of sexual health screening tests for Chlamydia, including an Instant Chlamydia Test, FAST Chlamydia Test, and combined Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea tests. Browse our range of STI tests today or get in touch with us if you’re not quite sure what you need.

What to Do if You Test Positive

If you test positive with Your Sexual Health, you will automatically be offered a telephone  appointment with a private GP  to discuss your next steps. 

During this time it’s important to abstain from sex until at least two weeks after your treatment ends. You should also tell any relevant sexual partners about your diagnosis so that they can also be tested and treated. 

Finally, it’s important to retest once your treatment has ended to ensure that it was effective. This will also give you peace of mind that you won’t infect any sexual partners.

What to Do If You Had Sex With Someone That Has Chlamydia

If you had sex with someone that you know has Chlamydia or you suspect that they have an STI, it is vital that you get tested as soon as possible. If you know that your partner has Chlamydia, you can take a specific Chlamydia test after the incubation period has passed (14 days).

If you’re not sure what disease your partner has, or simply suspect that you have caught an STI, a Comprehensive Profile Test or a Peace of Mind Profile Test checks for a range of common STIs.

Check out our dedicated blog on this topic for more information.

Chlamydia False Negatives & False Positives

Unfortunately, no medical test is 100% accurate. This includes STI tests. It’s incredibly rare that it happens but false negatives and false positives do sometimes happen. This means that a person can have Chlamydia but test negative and vice-versa. 

Waiting until the incubation period has passed (14 days for Chlamydia) reduces the risk of this happening. If you try to test before this period, the bacteria in your system may not yet be at detectable levels.

Learn more about this in our blog, Can You Be a Carrier of Chlamydia and Test Negative?, where we go into more detail about incubation periods and testing procedures.

How is Chlamydia Treated?

Once diagnosed, Chlamydia is treated with a routine course of antibiotics. This form of treatment is usually around 95% effective when taken as directed. There are two common types of antibiotics that are prescribed to treat Chlamydia, they are: 

• Azithromycin – the course will consist of 2 or 4 tablets taken in one sitting
• Doxycycline – this is taken as 2 tablets taken every day for a week

Other antibiotics may be prescribed if a patient is  is breastfeeding. 

Is Chlamydia Curable?

Chlamydia is curable with simple antibiotics. However, it is imperative that they are taken exactly as directed. When taken properly, it will stop the infection and could decrease your chances of having problems later. That being said, it will not undo any damage that the infection may have caused.

Can Chlamydia Go Away on its Own?

In some cases, yes, Chlamydia can go away on its own. In about 20% of people who are asymptomatic, Chlamydia may resolve itself spontaneously without treatment. This can, however, take a long time and you will still be infectious. As such, we always recommend regular STI testing to avoid complications. 

Learn more about how Chlamydia is treated in our dedicated blog on the matter, How Do You Treat Chlamydia?

Book Your Private or Home Chlamydia Test Today

Your Sexual Health offers a range of Chlamydia tests available both in-clinic or via a home-testing kit. We also offer a number of Instant and FAST tests for quick turnarounds. Browse our range online today to find a test that suits you. Alternatively, a member of our friendly team is just a click away if you need assistance in choosing the right test.

Chlamydia Advice Articles

Looking for more advice and information around chlamydia? Check out some of the helpful articles below:

• How Long Can Chlamydia Lay Dormant?
• Can You Be A Carrier Of Chlamydia & Test Negative?
• Can You Get Chlamydia From Kissing?
• Can You Get Chlamydia in Your Mouth?
• How Do You Get Chlamydia Without Being Sexually Active?
• How Did I Get Chlamydia If I Didn’t Cheat?
• I Had Sex With Someone Infected With Chlamydia, What Shall I Do?
• What To Do if You Have Chlamydia
• How is a Chlamydia Infection Treated?
• Can I Have Sex During Chlamydia Treatment?
• Can Chlamydia Make You Infertile?