When is chlamydia transmitted

Chlamydia is caused by a bacterial infection. The only true cure for this type of infection is antibiotics. But some alternative treatments may help ease symptoms. Home remedies for chlamydia that may be effective for symptoms, not the infection itself include:. If there are none, they may ask why you have concerns.

If symptoms are present, the doctor may perform a physical exam. This lets them observe any discharge, sores, or unusual spots that may be related to a possible infection.

The most effective diagnostic test for chlamydia is to swab the vagina in women and to test urine in men. Results may take several days.

If the test returns positive, a follow-up appointment and treatment options will be discussed. STI testing can be done in several ways. Read more about each type and what it will tell your doctor. If a healthcare provider is seen as soon as chlamydia is suspected, the infection will likely clear up with no lasting problems.

Some women develop PID, an infection that can damage the uterus , cervix , and ovaries. PID is a painful disease that often requires hospital treatment. Women can also become infertile if chlamydia is left untreated because the fallopian tubes may become scarred. Pregnant women with the infection can pass the bacteria to their babies during birth, which can cause eye infections and pneumonia in newborns. Men can also experience complications when chlamydia is left untreated.

The epididymis — the tube that holds the testicles in place — may become inflamed, causing pain. This is known as epididymitis. The infection can also spread to the prostate gland , causing a fever, painful intercourse, and discomfort in the lower back. Another possible complication is male chlamydial urethritis. Most people who get treatment quickly have no long-term medical problems. STIs can also be transmitted and contracted during oral sex.

Contact with the mouth, lips, or tongue may be enough to transmit chlamydia. If you contract chlamydia from oral sex, you may experience no symptoms.

Other STIs can develop in the throat. Each type of STI in the throat cause unique symptoms and concerns. If you are an older woman with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has an STD, you should get a test for chlamydia every year. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men; as well as pregnant women should also get tested for chlamydia.

If you are pregnant and have chlamydia, you can pass the infection to your baby during delivery. This could cause an eye infection or pneumonia in your newborn. Having chlamydia may also make it more likely to deliver your baby too early. If you are pregnant, you should get tested for chlamydia at your first prenatal visit. Testing and treatment are the best ways to prevent health problems. Most people who have chlamydia have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may not appear until several weeks after you have sex with an infected partner.

Even when chlamydia causes no symptoms, it can damage your reproductive system. Men and women can also get infected with chlamydia in their rectum. This happens either by having receptive anal sex, or by spread from another infected site such as the vagina. While these infections often cause no symptoms, they can cause. You should be examined by your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or if your partner has an STD or symptoms of an STD. STD symptoms can include an unusual sore, a smelly discharge, burning when urinating, or bleeding between periods.

Laboratory tests can diagnose chlamydia. It is even less likely for transmission to take place from vagina-to-mouth or anus-to-mouth contact. Transmission is not known to occur from mouth-to-vagina and mouth to anus contact. Even a woman who has not had anal sex can get chlamydia in the anus or rectum if bacteria are spread from the vaginal area, such as when wiping with toilet paper.

Eye infections may result when discharge caries the disease into the eye during sex or hand-to-eye contact. So you may not realize that you have it. People with chlamydia who have no symptoms can still pass the disease to others. If you do have symptoms, they may not appear until several weeks after you have sex with an infected partner. There are lab tests to diagnose chlamydia. Your health care provider may ask you to provide a urine sample.

For women, providers sometimes use or ask you to use a cotton swab to get a sample from your vagina to test for chlamydia. You should go to your health provider for a test if you have symptoms of chlamydia, or if you have a partner who has a sexually transmitted disease. Pregnant women should get a test when they go to their first prenatal visit. In women, an untreated infection can spread to your uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease PID.

PID can cause permanent damage to your reproductive system. This can lead to long-term pelvic pain , infertility , and ectopic pregnancy. Women who have had chlamydia infections more than once are at higher risk of serious reproductive health complications. Men often don't have health problems from chlamydia. Sometimes it can infect the epididymis the tube that carries sperm. This can cause pain, fever, and, rarely, infertility. Both men and women can develop reactive arthritis because of a chlamydia infection.

Reactive arthritis is a type of arthritis that happens as a "reaction" to an infection in the body.