What it is

Chlamydia is an infection of the penis, vagina, throat, or tube that carries urine.

• Chlamydia is caused by bacteria (a kind of germ).
• You get it by having sex with someone who has Chlamydia.
• Chlamydia can be spread by the vagina, penis, mouth, or anus.

Symptoms

Most people do not have any signs of Chlamydia. That's why most people don't know they have it. The best way to find out if you have it is to have a test done.

A few people may have these signs:

• A thick yellow or clear discharge from the penis or vagina
• Pain or burning when they urinate (pee)
• Pain during sex
• For women, bleeding between periods and during or after sex

Long-term effects

Chlamydia can be cured. But if you don't get treated, these things could happen:

• You could pass it on to others.
• You have a higher chance of getting HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).
• The vagina or penis could hurt and swell.

A woman with untreated chlamydia could get an infection that causes scars in her uterus or in the tubes that carry her eggs. If this happens:

• She could have a pregnancy in her tubes (ectopic pregnancy).
• She could have pelvic pain and infection (PID).
• She might become sterile (unable to get pregnant).

If a woman has chlamydia while she is pregnant, chlamydia could harm the baby's eyes or lungs during birth.