If the Doctor Says You Chlamydia Is Gone and Then You Have Symptoms Again but Have Not Had Sex

Overview

Microscopic illustration of Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium. — Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium.

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a mutual sexually transmitted infection (STI) that'southward caused by a bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis). Once a person's infected, they tin can spread chlamydia to their partners through intercourse, anal sex or oral sex. Infections can as well occur when partners share sexual practice toys that have become contaminated with the bacteria responsible for chlamydia.

Chlamydia infections are treatable and curable. But it's of import to receive treatment as soon equally possible. Left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious complications.

Who does chlamydia affect?

Anyone who's sexually active can get chlamydia. The bacteria that causes chlamydia gets transmitted through vaginal fluid and semen, which means that people of all genders who have sex tin get infected with chlamydia and infect their partners, also. If you're pregnant and accept chlamydia, you tin pass it on to your newborn.

How common is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is the most common STI acquired by bacteria. Nearly ii 1000000 cases of chlamydia were reported to the CDC in 2019. The number of infections is likely fifty-fifty higher. When compared to previous years, 2019 infection rates increased among people of all genders, all races and ethnicities, and in every region of the U.S. Most cases of chlamydia are asymptomatic, which means there are no signs or symptoms of an infection. Many of these cases likely go unreported.

Sure demographic characteristics (similar age, gender and race) may brand you more than likely to become diagnosed with chlamydia. You're more likely to get diagnosed if you lot're:

A teen or young adult aged 15 to 24. More than half of all diagnosed chlamydia cases in the U.South. occur in this age grouping.
A cisgender adult female aged 15 to 24. Young women in this historic period group are targeted for chlamydia screenings, and the charge per unit of infection amid those who are tested is loftier.
A man who has sex with men (MSM). Chlamydia infections disproportionately touch men who have sex with men.
Black and not-Hispanic. Chlamydia infections disproportionately affect non-Hispanic Black populations.

Higher rates of transmission among sure groups are less nearly sexual beliefs and more about networks and lack of admission to STI prevention resource. For example, chlamydia is more than likely to spread from person to person within communities that accept college infection rates. And information technology'southward more likely to spread amid groups that don't have easy access to sex education or barriers to STIs like condoms and dental dams.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes chlamydia?

Chlamydia infections spread through sexual contact, when vaginal fluid or semen containing the leaner that causes chlamydia travels from 1 person to some other. Sexual contact includes all kinds of sexual practice, including sex that doesn't involve penetration or ejaculation. There are lots of ways that the fluids from one person's genitals tin transmit the leaner that causes chlamydia.

Intercourse. Bacteria pass from i person's penis to their partner's vagina or vice versa.
Anal sex activity. Bacteria passes from one person's penis to their partner'due south anus or vice versa.
Oral sex. Leaner passes from ane person's mouth to their partner's penis, vagina, or anus, or vice versa.
Sex involving toys. Bacteria laissez passer from a toy with the bacteria to a person'due south oral cavity, penis, vagina or anus.
Manual stimulation of the genitals or anus. Less commonly, infected vaginal fluid or semen can come up in contact with a person's eye, causing an infection called conjunctivitis. For instance, this can happen if you touch the genitals of an infected person and then rub your optics without washing your hands get-go.

What doesn't crusade chlamydia?

Not all situations involving an exchange of body fluids or intimacy crusade chlamydia. You lot can't get chlamydia from:

Kissing.
Sharing food or drinks.
Hugging or belongings hands.
Using a toilet after someone else.
Inhaling aerosol afterward someone coughs or sneezes.

How long tin can y'all accept Chlamydia without knowing?

Chlamydia is sometimes called a silent infection because the majority of people who have chlamydia — regardless of gender — never observe symptoms. People who do find symptoms oft don't recognize the signs that they have chlamydia until a few weeks afterwards they've been infected. Because chlamydia cases are often asymptomatic, information technology's easy to spread chlamydia to someone else without realizing it. And information technology'south easy to miss out on receiving the handling needed to prevent the serious complications that can result from chlamydia.

What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?

If you exercise notice symptoms, you'll probable feel them differently based on your reproductive anatomy. Many of the symptoms that cisgender women experience can also affect transgender men and nonbinary individuals with vaginas. Many of the symptoms that cisgender men find tin can affect transgender women and nonbinary individuals with penises, likewise.

Signs of chlamydia if yous accept a vagina

Chlamydia bacteria often cause symptoms that are similar to cervicitis or a urinary tract infection (UTI). Yous may discover:

White, yellow or gray belch from your vagina that may be evil-smelling.
Pus in your urine (pyuria).
Increased need to pee.
Pain or a burning sensation when you pee (dysuria).
Haemorrhage in between periods.
Painful periods.
Painful intercourse (dyspareunia).
Itching or burning in and around your vagina.
Deadening pain in the lower part of your abdomen.

Signs of chlamydia if you have a penis

Chlamydia bacteria about often infect your urethra, causing symptoms that are similar to nongonococcal urethritis. Yous may find:

Mucus-like or clear, watery discharge from your penis.
Hurting or a burning awareness when you pee (dysuria).

Signs of chlamydia that all genders may observe

Chlamydia tin can affect parts of your body other than your reproductive organs, such as your:

Anus. You may find hurting, discomfort, haemorrhage or a fungus-similar discharge from your lesser.
Pharynx. You may have a sore throat, but y'all unremarkably won't notice symptoms if the bacteria'due south in your pharynx.
Eyes. You may discover symptoms of conjunctivitis if C. trachomatis leaner gets in your eye. Symptoms include redness, pain and discharge.

Come across your healthcare provider immediately if you detect whatever of these symptoms.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is Chlamydia diagnosed?

The most common examination for chlamydia is called a nucleic acid amplification examination (NAAT). Your provider takes a sample of fluid by doing a vaginal/cervical swab or collecting a urine sample. Then, they transport the sample off to a lab to cheque for the bacteria that causes chlamydia. Your provider may practise the examination in an part, or they may ask you lot to do an at-dwelling house chlamydia test. Follow your provider's instructions carefully to ensure you lot become accurate exam results.

Because most chlamydia cases are asymptomatic, information technology'southward of import to become screened for chlamydia even if yous don't notice any signs of infection. The CDC recommends that sexually agile cisgender women who are high-take chances for chlamydia become screened regularly. Women, more so than men, experience the most severe complications from chlamydia. Transgender men and nonbinary individuals with vaginas should exist screened regularly, too, as they can experience the same complications of chlamydia.

You're considered high-risk if you lot:

Are under 25.
Are pregnant.
Take a new partner.
Have multiple partners.
Have had chlamydia infections previously.

Cisgender men, or trans and nonbinary individuals with penises, should be screened for chlamydia if:

They live in a setting where chlamydia spreads ofttimes, like correctional facilities, adolescent clinics and sexual health clinics.
They accept sex activity with other men.

Regardless of your age, reproductive anatomy, or other take chances factors — you should discuss your sexual history and sexual activity with your healthcare provider. Your provider is your all-time resource for offering guidance on how often you should be tested for chlamydia and other STIs.

Management and Handling

How is chlamydia treated?

Chlamydia can be cleared up with antibiotics in nigh a week or 2. Only don't cease taking your medication only because your symptoms improve. Enquire your provider about what follow-upward is needed to be sure your infection is gone after you've finished taking your medicine.

Part of your treatment should also include fugitive sexual activities that could cause you lot to get re-infected and ensuring that any sexual partners who may be infected also get treatment. You should:

Abstain from sexual practice until your infection has cleared up. Starting treatment doesn't mean that you're in the articulate. Take all your medication as your provider directs, and avoid all sexual contact in the meantime.
Contact all sexual partners. Tell whatsoever sexual partners from the concluding 3 months that yous're infected and then that they can get tested, too.
Go tested for other STIs ( HIV/AIDS , syphilis , herpes , gonorrhea ). Information technology's common to take multiple STIs, and it's of import to receive treatment that's tailored to each infection.

Antibiotics tin can get rid of your infection, but they can't contrary whatsoever damage the bacteria may have caused to your body before treatment. This is why it's so important to get screened regularly for chlamydia, to encounter your provider at the start sign of symptoms, and get treatment immediately if you're infected.

What medications are used to get rid of chlamydia?

The well-nigh common antibiotics used to treat chlamydia infections are:

Azithromycin. Usually taken equally a single dose.
Doxycycline. Unremarkably taken over 7 days.

Make sure you lot simply take antibiotics prescribed by your provider, and have all medications until they're gone, fifty-fifty if your symptoms improve.

Tin chlamydia be cured?

Yes. Chlamydia can be treated and cured. Some sexually transmitted bacterial infections are starting to get resistant to antibiotics, though, and this makes them harder to treat. With this in mind, the best way to fight chlamydia is to prevent infections from spreading.

What can happen if chlamydia isn't treated?

Untreated chlamydia tin can put your health at risk. Make an appointment with your provider immediately if you notice any symptoms of chlamydia, and get regular STI screenings to avoid complications later.

Complications of chlamydia for people with vaginas

Untreated chlamydia tin cause:

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is a serious condition that requires hospitalization. It can occur when an untreated STI, like chlamydia, damages your reproductive organs. PID tin can pb to infertility and chronic pelvic pain. It tin can also cause an ectopic pregnancy, which is life-threatening for the fetus and potentially mortiferous for the mother or gestational parent, too.
Pregnancy complications. An untreated infection tin lead to pre-term commitment. Too, if you're significant and take chlamydia, y'all can pass the infection on to your newborn. Babies born with chlamydia may have pneumonia or conjunctivitis that could lead to incomprehension if not treated.

Complications of chlamydia for people with penises

Untreated chlamydia tin can crusade:

Epididymitis. Infection tin can spread to the testicles and the tube that carries sperm to your testicles (epididymis), causing symptoms like pain, swelling and tenderness in your testicles.
Reduced fertility. Chlamydia can harm your sperm, negatively impacting your ability to excogitate.

Complications of chlamydia that can affect all genders

Untreated chlamydia can:

Increase your risk of getting reactive arthritis, which causes your joints to swell and feel painful.
Increase your chances of contracting HIV.

How soon later handling volition I feel better?

You should start to feel better within a week subsequently you lot begin taking antibiotics. Exist sure to continue taking your antibiotics until they're gone, fifty-fifty if your symptoms meliorate.

Prevention

How can I protect myself from chlamydia?

The but way to avoid getting chlamydia is to abjure from having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has a chlamydia infection. And be sure that sexual practice toys that conduct the bacteria don't come in contact with your genitals.

Information technology'south not always possible to know if a electric current or potential partner has chlamydia, though, particularly since many people with chlamydia never notice symptoms. With prevention in mind, it's a good thought to make safer sex activity practices a regular part of your sex life:

Use condoms during intercourse, anal sex and oral sex.
Apply dental dams during oral sex or vagina-to-vagina contact.
Don't share sex activity toys, just if you do, wash them after each utilize and cover toys used for penetration with a prophylactic.
Accept sex with only one partner, who only has sex activity with you.

Outlook / Prognosis

How long does chlamydia last?

With handling, chlamydia should become away within a week or ii. It'southward of import to take all antibiotics to fight the infection. Don't take sex during treatment, or you could get reinfected.

Does chlamydia go away on its ain?

You should never wait for chlamydia to go away on its own. Left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious harm to your health. If y'all are sexually agile, you run the run a risk of infecting others, putting them at take chances of experiencing severe complications besides.

Living With

When should I see my healthcare provider?

When information technology comes to chlamydia, it's a good idea to be proactive. Speak with your healthcare provider about your risks of infection. Make a plan to get screened regularly for STIs based on your provider's recommendations for how often you lot should exist tested. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if your partner tests positive for chlamydia or if you notice any signs or symptoms that yous may be infected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the starting time symptoms of chlamydia?

Most people who have chlamydia never notice symptoms. But an unusual belch from your vagina or penis may be a sign that you accept a chlamydia infection. Hurting, bleeding or a discharge from your bottom can also exist a sign of chlamydia.

Does chlamydia accept a aroma?

Chlamydia doesn't always have a smell. Just one of the symptoms of chlamydia is an unusual vaginal belch that has an unpleasant odor.

How did I get chlamydia if I didn't cheat?

You lot can get chlamydia if your partner had vaginal, oral or anal sexual practice with someone who was infected and then had sex with you. People in relationships may have different ideas about what kinds of sexual contact counts as "cheating," and this miscommunication can lead to infections. Communicate honestly with your partner about what sex you're having and what sexual activity they're having. Practise safer sexual activity to reduce your risk of catching chlamydia, and get regularly screened to be sure.

A annotation from Cleveland Clinic

Information technology can be embarrassing to talk about anything sex-related with your healthcare provider, including STI prevention. Merely your sex activity life is an important function of your wellness that your provider needs to know most to care for you. Non getting the treatment yous need for chlamydia can pose serious risks to your wellness. Speak with your provider about getting regularly screened for chlamydia and other STIs to reduce your risks of complications. Practice safer sex activity to prevent the spread of chlamydia.

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Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4023-chlamydia