Chlamydia

     What is it?

• Chlamydia is Australia’s most common sexually transmitted infection
• 1.5% of year 11 and 12 students in Australia have Chlamydia

 How do I get it?

• Chlamydia is transmitted by unprotected sexual contact with someone who has it
• Chlamydia can be caught in the cervix, urethra, throat and rectum, depending on what body parts you have used for sex

 How do I know if I have it?

• You may not know you have Chlamydia, as 50-70% of people with Chlamydia have NO SYMPTOMS!   SO if you have ever had unprotected sexual contact then it is important that you get a sexual health check!
• Symptoms for women can include: cramps, pain in the lower abdomen, changes in your period, pain when passing urine, bleeding or pain during or after sex, changes in vaginal discharge
• Symptoms for men can include: discharge from penis, pain when passing urine, swollen and sore balls

 What do I do if I suspect I may have it?

• Visit your local sexual health clinic or GP for a sexual health check
• Testing is easy, it just requires a urine or swab sample, depending on symptoms you may have at the time
• If you do have Chlamydia, it can be treated with antibiotics

If you suspect that you may have Chlamydia it is important for you and your partner/s to get treatment. If Chlamydia is left undiagnosed and untreated it can lead to infertility, and can also be passed onto babies during pregnancy!

 How can I protect myself?

Use condoms EVERY TIME you engage in sexual activity!

If you want to see some photos of chlamydia, (Warning: they're not pretty) click here, but remember there are often no symptoms at all.