What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. According to the CDC, it is the most commonly reported STI in the United States, infecting millions of men and women each year. Chlamydia is usually spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and it can also be passed from mother to child during childbirth. If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious health problems such as infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of chlamydia.
What are the symptoms of chlamydia?
It is common for men and women to be infected by chlamydia without even knowing. This is because the infection is often asymptomatic, meaning there are no symptoms associated with the disease. However, when symptoms do arise, they can present themselves in several ways. Some of the most common symptoms of chlamydia include an abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis, a burning feeling during urination, and pain or swelling in the ovaries or testicles. While less common, chlamydia can also infect the rectum (typically from anal sex), causing rectal pain, discharge, or even bleeding.
What are the long-term effects of chlamydia?
If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious health problems, such as infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease. Chlamydia is a leading cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is an infection of the reproductive organs that can damage the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus. PID can lead to scarring of the fallopian tubes, which can block the tubes and prevent pregnancy. Chlamydia is also one of the most common causes of infertility in women. In men, chlamydia can cause a condition called epididymitis, which is an inflammation of the testicles that can lead to fertility problems. Untreated chlamydia may also increase the chances of getting or transmitting HIV.
Who is at the highest risk of being infected with chlamydia?
There are several groups of people who are at a higher risk for contracting chlamydia. The CDC reports that young men and women between the ages of 15 and 24 are the most likely to be infected. They also indicated that African Americans and Hispanic/Latino Americans also have an increased risk of contracting the disease. Women who are pregnant or have recently given birth, as well as people who have multiple sexual partners or a history of other STIs are also at a higher risk level. If you belong to any of these groups, it is important to be extra cautious and to get tested for chlamydia and other STDs/STIs on a regular basis if you are sexually active.
How do I avoid being infected?
Taking care of your sexual and physical health should be a top priority. You owe it to yourself and to your partner (or future partners) to stay healthy and chlamydia-free. The best way to avoid getting chlamydia (or any other STI) is by only being sexually active with one uninfected person in a monogamous relationship. However, if you choose to have sex outside of that type of relationship, be sure to practice safe sex. This means using condoms or dental dams during all sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It is also important to get tested regularly for STIs, especially if you have multiple sexual partners.
It is not uncommon for an individual to be infected with chlamydia multiple times. This is because the infection does not provide immunity against future infections. In fact, people who have had chlamydia are at an increased risk of contracting it again in the future. Therefore, it is important to take precautions against becoming infected again.
How is chlamydia treated?
Chlamydia is usually easily treated with a course of antibiotics. It is important to finish the entire treatment, even if the symptoms go away, to make sure that the infection is completely gone. People who are infected with chlamydia should abstain from sexual activity until they have finished their antibiotic treatment to avoid passing the infection on to others.
Do I need to tell my partners that I have chlamydia?
If you have chlamydia, it is important to tell all current and past sexual partners so that they can get tested and treated if necessary. The bacteria that causes chlamydia can be passed on through sexual contact, even if there are no symptoms present. Therefore, it is possible to infect others without even knowing that you have the disease. It is important to remember that telling your partners about their exposure to chlamydia is confidential and should be done in a way that protects both your privacy and theirs.
How do I get tested for chlamydia?
At RealOptions Obria Medical Clinics, we provide medical testing, diagnosis, and treatment of STDs and STIs, including chlamydia. We offer confidential STD testing, meaning that your results and personal information will remain private. All of our services are provided by caring and qualified staff members who will treat you with the respect and care that you deserve.
What is the testing process like?
Testing for chlamydia is quick and easy at RealOptions. A urine sample is all that is needed to test for the presence of the bacteria. The urine sample will be sent to a lab where it will be tested for the bacteria that causes chlamydia. To get the most accurate urine test results, refrain from urinating or engaging in sexual intercourse for at least one hour before being tested. If you test positive for an infection, we will provide you with treatment and explain how your partner(s) can be treated as well.
Does a Medi-Cal plan cover testing and treatment for chlamydia?
Yes! RealOptions Obria Medical Clinics is an official Medi-Cal provider, which means our STD/STI testing and treatment services are covered by them.
If you aren’t familiar with Medi-Cal, it is low-cost or no-cost health insurance for eligible California residents. This means that if you have a Medi-Cal plan, you can get tested and treated for chlamydia without having to pay anything out of pocket. If you aren’t already enrolled in Medi-Cal and are interested in finding out whether you qualify for a Medi-Cal plan, here are some ways to do that:
- Contact MCAP at (800) 433-2611.
- Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.
- Apply online at CoveredCA.com. via email with a confirmation or notification for the best available time.
I think I might have chlamydia. What do I do now?
Chlamydia needs to be taken seriously. It is easily diagnosed and treated, and so there’s no reason to delay getting tested if you think you may have been exposed. At RealOptions Obria Medical Clinics, we can help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for STD/STI testing.
Click here to schedule an online appointment at one of our locations or call:
400 30th St #401
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 891-9998
801 Brewster Ave Unit 210
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 261-9115
1671 The Alameda #101
San Jose, CA
(408) 978-9310
12 N White Rd
San Jose, CA
(408) 272-5577
33523 Western Ave.
Union City, CA 94857
(510) 487-4357
Medical information regarding chlamydia is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm (last pulled 11/13/2022)
https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-detailed.htm (last pulled 11/13/2022)
https://www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/default.htm (last pulled 11/13/2022)