CHLAMYDIA FACTS 

What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is the most common reportable sexually transmitted infection (STI), both in York Region and across Canada. It is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. In York Region, it is most common in males and females between the ages of 15 and 29. If untreated, Chlamydia can cause serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

How you get Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is spread through unprotected vaginal, oral and anal sex with an infected person. Chlamydia can be passed from a woman infected with Chlamydia to her baby during birth. Chlamydia cannot be spread by kissing, toilet seats, bed linens, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, sharing clothes or eating utensils.

Symptoms of Chlamydia
Most people who have Chlamydia have no symptoms. Someone with Chlamydia can still pass on the infection, even if they don't have symptoms.

If you have Chlamydia, you may notice the following symptoms:

Females		Males
A change or increase in vaginal discharge Pain when you pass urine Pain in lower abdomen Itching or irritation of genitals Pain during sexual intercourse  Bleeding or spotting between periods and/or after vaginal sex		Discharge from the opening of the penis Burning when you pass urine Pain or swelling of testicles Burning or itching around the opening at the tip of penis

All of these symptoms may come and go. If symptoms go away, it does not mean the infection has gone away.

Treating Chlamydia
Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotic pills. If someone has Chlamydia and is not treated, serious complications can develop, such as infertility (cannot have children).

 

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