Chlamydia
- Chlamydia is an STI that can be easily passed on through vaginal, anal and oral sex.
- It is one of the most commonly reported STIs in New Zealand.
- Oftentimes symptoms of chlamydia do not appear at all.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection. Chlamydia was the most commonly reported STI in New Zealand in 2014-- a national chlamydia rate of 629 per 100,000 population was calculated, and 83% of people infected were people ages 15-29. The rate has since decreased, but chlamydia is still being spread around.
Transmission
Chlamydia is transferred through sexual contact with someone with chlamydia. It can be passed through any orifice—penis, vagina, anus or mouth.
Chlamydia can be passed from mother to baby at birth and may result in an eye or lung infection in the baby.
Risk is LOW for:
Kissing, fingering, giving & receiving oral sex in women (eating pussy & getting pussy eaten)
Risk is HIGH for:
Giving & receiving oral sex in men (giving & getting blow job), vaginal sex and anal sex (top AND bottom)
Chlamydia can be passed from mother to baby at birth and may result in an eye or lung infection in the baby.
Risk is LOW for:
Kissing, fingering, giving & receiving oral sex in women (eating pussy & getting pussy eaten)
Risk is HIGH for:
Giving & receiving oral sex in men (giving & getting blow job), vaginal sex and anal sex (top AND bottom)
Symptoms
Oftentimes symptoms of chlamydia do not appear at all—25% of men don’t notice symptoms, and 70% of women don’t notice symptoms. If symptoms do appear, it may take 1-2 weeks after initial infection for an individual to notice. The main symptom most people notice is painful urination.
In women, other symptoms include: unusual fluid or discharge from vagina, lower abdomen pain during sex and irregular bleeding in between periods.
In men, other symptoms include: aching testicles and itching at urethra.
In women, other symptoms include: unusual fluid or discharge from vagina, lower abdomen pain during sex and irregular bleeding in between periods.
In men, other symptoms include: aching testicles and itching at urethra.
New Zealand Chlamydia Statistics
Get Tested
For women, a test includes a vaginal swab, and possibly throat and anal swabs if there has been contact with those areas.
For men, a test includes a urine test, and possibly throat and anal swabs if there has been contact with those areas. Don’t pee for an hour beforehand. The test uses the first 30ml of urine.
Because it is highly likely that men and women won’t experience symptoms, it is very important to get tested at least once a year. If chlamydia goes unnoticed and untreated in women, it can lead to severe damage to the reproductive system and result in infertility. Sexually active gay guys should get test more often (every 3 months).
For men, a test includes a urine test, and possibly throat and anal swabs if there has been contact with those areas. Don’t pee for an hour beforehand. The test uses the first 30ml of urine.
Because it is highly likely that men and women won’t experience symptoms, it is very important to get tested at least once a year. If chlamydia goes unnoticed and untreated in women, it can lead to severe damage to the reproductive system and result in infertility. Sexually active gay guys should get test more often (every 3 months).
Get Treated
Since chlamydia is a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics. A single prescription usually cures chlamydia. It is important that you avoid sex while taking the medication, and wait at least 1 week after your sexual contacts have also been treated to have sex again.
Untreated chlamydia in women can cause severe damage to the reproductive system and result in infertility. For that reason it is recommended that women get tested at least once a year, especially since 70% of women won’t notice symptoms at all.
Untreated chlamydia in women can cause severe damage to the reproductive system and result in infertility. For that reason it is recommended that women get tested at least once a year, especially since 70% of women won’t notice symptoms at all.
Protect Others
Using condoms is one of the surest ways to prevent the spread of chlamydia. But since chlamydia often goes unnoticed and is passed through any orifice, it is important for you and your other sexual contacts to get tested regularly. It is recommended that men get tested annually, and that women get tested twice a year. The only way to know if you have chlamydia is to get tested.
@ 2024 Body Positive Inc.