Signs and

symptoms
Different symptoms can occur
depending of your gender and
medical history. If you are
women the most common
symptoms that can occur is
bleeding between periods or
after sex, pain when urinating
or pelvic pain. Symptoms men
experience are

What is
chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by
caused
the
bacteriumby?
Chlamydia
trachomatis. The disease is
spread by oral, vaginal,
or anal sex, and if you
touch your eyes with a
contaminated hand, you
may also
develop conjunctivitis.
Chlamydia can also be
passed during vaginal birth
to the infant. Some
evidence supports that
untreated chlamydial
infections in
pregnancy can lead to
premature delivery.
For more information
visit the following sites:
1. http://www.letthemknow.
org.au/
2. https://www.health.ny.go
v/diseases/communicable
/chlamydia/fact_sheet.ht
m
3. https://www.betterhealth.
vic.gov.au/health/conditio
nsandtreatments/chlamy
diaealth.gov.au
4. Sti.health.gov.au

Chlamydia
By Georgie Hawkins

Chlamydia is a sexually
transmitted infection that
is caused by the
bacterium Chlamydia
trachomatis. It affects both
men and women, and is
spread by having
unprotected sex with a
person who has the
infection. Most people who
have chlamydia don't
notice any symptoms and
so they don't know they
have it. Research suggests
that 50% of men and 7080% of women don't get
symptoms at all with a
chlamydia infection.
Any sexually active person
can be infected with
chlamydia. Most often,
chlamydia occurs in
adolescents and young
adults (ages 15-24) who
have new or multiple sex
partners and who do not

Prevention
strategies

Number your sex

partners

Use a female or
male condom

If you think you

have been affected
avoid any sexual
contact and visit a
STI clinic, hospital
or your doctor

How is it treated? What happens if it is not

treated?
As mentioned before it is very
common for theyre to be no
obvious symptoms of chlamydia.
However as soon as it is realised
the better, as action can be
immediately taken to cure the
infection. The good news is
chlamydia is easily treatable with
antibiotics. It is important to avoid
sex until the full course of
treatment is finished, however if
not avoidable it is imperative a
condom is used. If you have
chlamydia it is your responsibility
to let all your sexual partners
from at least the past six months
know so that they can be tested
and treated if needed. If you are
needing help and feeling awkward
about this, the websites on the
above page go into how to have