Get Tested for Chlamydia
All sexually active females 25 years of age and younger should be screened each year for chlamydia. Women over age 25 with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners, all pregnant women, and men who have sex with men, or are in high risk settings should also be screened. Women can be screened by a urine test or during a pelvic exam; men can be screened by a urine test or swab test.
Treatment
Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics. You need to avoid sexual contact until 7 days after you and any sexual partner/s begin treatment for chlamydia.
Notifying your Partners
If you have chlamydia, you need to tell your partner/s to get tested. It's a difficult conversation to have, but an important one that will protect your future health as well as theirs. Here are some key points to tell your partner/s:
- You have been exposed to chlamydia and you may have the infection. It is curable and is treated with antibiotics.
- You need to see a healthcare provider to get tested.
- You need to avoid sexual contact for 7 days after you (and all partners) begin treatment.
Where to get tested:
See your healthcare provider OR locate local clinics that provide free or low-cost, confidential STD services at www.findSTDtest.org or 1-800-CDC-INFO.
Prevention
Regular use of latex condoms reduces the chance of getting Chlamydia, or other sexually transmitted diseases, or that a woman will get pregnant. The only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases is to not have sex at all.
Rates of Chlamydia Infection
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2007. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; December 2008.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2007. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; December 2008.
Fact Sheet
A fact sheet for policymakers on chlamydia screening.
