Chlamydia

What Is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the most common bacterial STI in the United States, affecting almost 3 million people annually.

How Do You Get Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is transmitted through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth or anus of someone who has it. Depending on the type(s) of sex someone has had, chlamydia could infect the vagina, penis, rectum or throat. It can also be spread during childbirth.

What Are the Symptoms of Chlamydia?

Most people with chlamydia do not have any symptoms. However, some symptoms include: discharge from the penis or vagina, burning urination, pain or swelling of the testicles, bleeding between menstrual periods, pain during sex or lower abdominal pain.

  • Our 24/7 Advice Nurse is available at no charge for all UC Davis students to discuss heath concerns and the need for medical care. They can be reached at 530-752-2349.

How Do You Test for Chlamydia?

The test will involve a urine sample, swab, or both – but it depends on the type(s) of sex you’ve had. If you’ve been the receptive partner (bottom) during anal sex, for example, you will need a rectal swab. If you’ve performed oral sex, you might need a throat swab. If you use it, test it!

  • Check out GYT UC Davis for information about getting yourself tested on and off campus.
  • If you are covered under another person’s health plan in California and are concerned about confidentiality, then you can check out My Health, My Info for assistance with submitting a Confidential Communication Request to your insurance provider.

How Do You Prevent Chlamydia?

You can reduce your risk of chlamydia by using barriers – such as internal condoms, external condoms, dental dams and/or capes – during sexual activity. The only 100% guaranteed way to not get chlamydia is to not engage in sexual activity.

  • Registered UC Davis students can visit the Love Lab for free safer sex products.
  • Check out the UC Davis Sexcess Map to find safer sex products on and off campus.

What If You’re Diagnosed with Chlamydia?

The first thing you should know is that you are normal and that sexually transmitted infections are very common. You are still awesome!

Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics. To stay healthy, it is very important that you follow your treatment plan. Make sure to get yourself tested again after 3 months to check for re-infection, and that you are tested for gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV, too.

What about Your Partner(s)?

It is also important to tell your partner(s) so that they can get themselves tested and treated, too. To make this easier, California law allows SHCS to treat your partner(s) for chlamydia without having to examine them first. This is called Patient-Delivered Partner Therapy (PDPT), where you will be given two prescriptions instead of one – one for you, and one for your partner.

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