TREAT MENT

Chlamydia is easily curable with antibiotics

S TAY S A F E

but people who are infected by the disease

should not engage in sexual intercourse for a
week after taking antibiotics. However, even

STI PA MPHL ETCH LAMY DIA

though antibiotics will cure the infection, it

can not repair damage that is done by the
disease. Repeat infection is also common
with Chlamydia cases.

If the infection is not treated:

If Chlamydia remains untreated, women are
likely to develop pelvic inflammatory
disease, an infection that aects the ovaries,
cervix and uterus. The fallopian tubes are
also permanently damaged, resulting in
some women becoming infertile.

SOURCES FO R TEENS
If concerned with the risk of Chlamydia, it
is important to go to a doctor straight away. If
any signs or symptoms of the infection
persist, make sure to tell an adult or a GP. For
anybody who is considering engaging in
intercourse, ensure that you have your
partner tested for infections or use
appropriate contraception.

Bibliography:
2016, S. of V. (2015) Chlamydia.
Available at: https://
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/
conditionsandtreatments/chlamydia
(Accessed: 6 June 2016).CDC (2016)
Chlamydia - CDC fact sheet
(detailed). Available at: http://
www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfactchlamydia-detailed.htm (Accessed: 6
June 2016).

The most commonly

reported STI amongst
young Australians

THE CAU SE OF TH E
IN FECTIO N

F U R T H E R I N F O R M AT I O N

Chlamydia is caused by a type of bacteria that

is very small and parasitic. Similar to a virus,
it requires biochemical mechanisms of
another cell in order to reproduce. Various

SIGNS & SYM PTOMS

Women: Most women who are infected, do not display symptoms. However, if they are present they may include:

unusual vaginal discharge

a burning feeling when urinating

pain during sex

be unaware of this?

bleeding or spotting between periods or after sex

If a person who has recently engaged in

lower abdominal pain

diseases such as trachoma, psittacosis and

urethritis can also be caused by bacteria of
this type.
Is it possible to have the infection and

intercourse, has been infected with

Chlamydia, they may not be aware straight
away. Even if symptoms do persist, they may

Men: Men often, do not display symptoms either. However if present they may include:

discharge from the penis

discomfort when urinating

swollen and sore testes

not show up until weeks afterwards. It is also

a possibility that no symptoms at all are
visible.

Transmission:

HOW I S I T SPREAD & PRE VE NTED

AUST RALIANS WITH

CHLAMYDIA

Chlamydia is spread from person to person through partaking in unprotected vaginal or anal sex with a person who is

During 2012, Chlamydia was the most

pneumonia ins some exposed infants.

frequently reported STI amongst Australians,

having 82 707 new cases. Approximately 355

infected. It is also able to be spread perinatally from an infected woman to her baby. This results in conjunctivitis or

Prevention:

cases per 100 000 people. However, in more

The infection can be prevented, evidently through not being active in sexual intercourse but as this is rare, there are

remote areas, these rates were even higher. 15

strategies to get around this. These can involve latex male condoms (when used consistently and correctly), can reduce the

to 24 year olds make up for 81% of these

risk but also to only engage with a partner who you are sure has been tested and diagnosed as unaected.

cases.