What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common STD in Nunavut, among sexually active people of all ages. Many people do not know that they have the infection! If it is not treated, it can lead to serious health problems. If you think it is possible that you may have an STD, talk to your health care provider and get tested.

Facts about Chlamydia
• The best way to protect your self from chlamydia is by not having sex at all. If you choose to have sex, use a latex condom every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex.
• If you want to have sex without using a condom every time, you must get tested to be sure that neither you nor your partner has any STD. You must be having sex with just one person, who only has sex with you.
• Many people who are infected with Chlamydia do not have any physical signs (symptoms). Even if you do not have physical signs, if you have had sex without a condom, you might be at risk of having chlamydia, and it is important to get tested.
• If you develop physical signs, they usually appear one to three weeks after being infected. Physical signs are different in Females and Males. They may include one or all of the following:

Physical signs in women:
• Unusual liquid (discharge) coming from the vagina.

• Abnormal bleeding from the vagina (bleeding between periods).

• A burning feeling when peeing.

• Pain or bleeding, during or after sex.

• Pain in the lower stomach.

Physical signs in Men:

• Watery or cloudy liquid coming from the penis.

• Tingling or itching inside the penis.

• A burning feeling when peeing.

• Pain or swelling in the testicles (balls).

How can I get tested and treated?
Your health care provider can give you a simple urine test that will tell you if you are infected. If you do have chlamydia, it can be treated with antibiotics given to you by a nurse or doctor. If your health care provider says you have chlamydia, your sexual partners must also get tested to see if they have it too.

If you do not take antibiotics right away, the infection can lead to the following health problems:

In Females:
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), a painful and serious infection in the reproductive tract.
• Infertility (can not get pregnant).
• Tubal pregnancies and miscarriages.

In Males:
• The infection can spread to the testicles (balls) and prostate gland and may cause infertility (can not make a woman pregnant).
• Other health effects of chlamydia in males are still being studied.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by bacteria. If it is not treated with medication right away, the disease can lead to serious health problems in men and women.

Frequently asked questions:

1. How is Chlamydia spread?
- Chlamydia is spread from an infected person to another person through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Chlamydia can also be passed from an infected pregnant woman to her child, causing severe eye, ear or lung infections. Not everyone who is infected has physical signs of Chlamydia. People may pass the infection on without knowing it.
2. How do I know if I have Chlamydia?
Talk to your sexual partners about their past sexual behavior. Talking is the only way to find out if they have been tested for a STD.