* using condoms (female or male) every time you have vaginal or anal sex,
* using a condom over the penis or latex or plastic square (dam) to cover the female genitals if you have oral sex, and
* not sharing sex toys. If you do share them cover them with a new condom or wash them before anyone else uses them.

These measures can also protect you from other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhoea or genital herpes.

If you are worried you could be at risk of having an STI or have any of the symptoms mentioned in the symptoms page, you should visit your local GUM clinic or sexual health clinic to have them checked out.

Women
In women, if chlymidia is left untreated it can spread to other reproductive organs causing inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and fallopian tubes (salpingitis) and Bartholin’s glands (Bartholinitis).

Infection with chlamydia during pregnancy may also be linked to premature birth of the baby or early miscarriage.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
In women, chlamydial infection is one of the chief causes of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is an infection of the fallopian tubes, uterus and ovaries that can cause an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, infertility and persistent pelvic pain. The condition can be treated using medication, and early treatment will significantly reduce the risk of infertility. You should avoid having sexual relations while receiving treatment for PID.

Cervicitis
Cervicitis is when the neck of the womb becaomes inflamed (the cervix). It often causes no symptoms but you may have vaginal discharge containing pus, experience some discomfort, and have irregular bleeding. Some people also experience pain during sexual intercourse and urinary symptoms, such as a burning pain when they urinate, and the need to urinate more often. When left untreated cervicitis causes the cervix to become enlarged and cervical cysts to develop, which could become infected. Chronic (long term) cervicitis can cause persistent vaginal discharge, backache, and deep pelvic pain.

Salpingitis
Infection with chlamydia may cause a blockage of the fallopian tubes. This could prevent eggs from entering the tubes, or passing along. Sometimes even a small partial blockage of the fallopian tubes can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy occurring. This is when a fertilised egg is implanted outside of the womb, most often in a fallopian tube..Microsurgery can often be used to effectively treat a blockage.

Bartholinitis
The glands on the body that produce the lubricating mucus to make sexual intercourse easier are known as the Bartholin’s glands. These glands are situated on either side of the vaginal opening. Infection with chlamydia may cause the glands to become infected and blocked and lead to a Bartholin’s cyst. A cyst is normally painless but if it becomes infected it could lead to a pus-filled Bartholin’s abscess. An abscess is normally red, painful to touch, very tender, and can cause a fever. An infected abscess will need to be treated with medication.

Men

Urethritis
Urethritis in men is when the urethra (the urine tube) that runs along the underside of the penis becomes inflamed. Symptoms include a burning or painful sensation when you urinate, white or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis, and the urge to urinate often and irritation and soreness around the tip of the penis. If not treated a urethral stricture can occur, this can seriously interfere with the urine flow and lead to back pressure which can damage the kidneys. Urethritis can be treated with antibiotics.

Epididymitis
Epididymitis is the inflammation of the epididymis, a tube that connects the testes (where sperm are produced) to the vas deferens (a pair of ducts where sperm collect ready for ejaculation through the urethra). An infected epididymis can become inflamed, causing tenderness and swelling in the affected area of the scrotum. Infection can lead to an abscess, or accumulation of fluid in the area. If left untreated epididymitis can lead to infertility.

Reactive arthritis
Reactive arthritis can develop as a reaction to an infection, such as chlamydia. General symptoms include inflammation of the joints (arthritis), the urethra (urethritis) and the eyes (conjunctivitis). Although chlamydia is known to cause inflammation of the joints in women, reactive arthritis is much more likely to occur in men. There is no known cure for arthritis and although symptoms normally get better in three to twelve months, they can recur after this. Symptoms can generally be controlled by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibruprofen.

If there is a good chance that you have been infected with chlamydia, a treatment course can be started before you receive your test results. You will always be given treatment and care if your partner is found to have chlamydia.

The most commonly prescribed antibiotics to treat chlamydia are:

* Azithromycin (normally a single dose)
* Doxycycline (generally two capsules a day for a week)

Other antibiotics that are less commonly prescribed include Ofloxacin, Amoxicillin and Erythromycin.

It is very important that you finish all the capsules/medication prescribed to you. If you do not, the treatment course may not be fully effective at getting rid of the infection.

You can discuss with your doctor which antibiotic is best for you. If you are pregnant, for example, some medication may not be suitable, but alternatives are normally available. Erythromycin, Azithromycin and Amoxicillin and are all suitable for pregnant women..

Medication used to treat chlamydia could interact with the contraceptive patch and the combined contraceptive pill. If you make use of these methods of birth control, you can discuss with your doctor or nurse which additional contraception is suitable for you.

Side effects
The side effects of antibiotics are usually fairly mild, the most common ones include:

* stomach aches or pain,
* diarrhoea, and
* feeling sick or nauseous.

Occasionally, Doxycycline may cause a skin rash if you are exposed to too much sunlight (photosensitivity).

Sexual partners
Chlamydia is very easily passed on through intimate sexual contact. If you are diagnosed with chlymidia, anyone you have recently had sex with in the previous six months may also have it. It is important that your current sexual partner and any other recent sexual partners are informed, tested and treated.

Your local sexual health clinic or genitourinary medicine (GUM) may be able to help you by notifying any of your previous partners on your behalf. A contact slip can be sent to them explaining that they could have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and suggesting that they go for a check up with their GP. The slip normally notes what the infection is but will not have your name listed on it, so your confidentiality is kept safe.

If you or your current partner is diagnosed with chlamydia, you should not have sexual relations until you have both finished your course of antibiotics.

The earlier the diagnosis and treatment of chlamydia commences, the less the chance of any complications developing. Complications that have arisen from long term chlamydial infections are much more difficult to treat.

The accuracy of chlamydia testing will depend on what kind of test is used. Most recommended tests are over 90% accurate in detecting the infection, shop bought tests could be less reliable.
You can also buy online chlamydia test which can be done in the privacy of your home.

There are different ways to test for chlamydia:
How can Women be tested?

Women can be tested for chlamydia by using a urine sample, or taking a swab from the cervix (neck of the womb).

In the last few years tests have been developed that allow women to carry the tests out at home, by taking a swab themselves from the lower vagina, or by using a urine sample. The sample is then put into a container and sent to a laboratory to be checked.

Routine cervical screening tests do not pick up chlamydia. You should ask your GP or nurse if you also wish to be checked for chlamydia.

How can Men be tested?
In previous years, the chlmydia test for men involved inserting a swab into the opening of the urethra at the tip of the penis to collect a sample of cells. In this day and age a urine test is now the most common test used. This method, although slightly less reliable than using a swab, is much more comfortable, and easier.

Testing for non-genital chlamydia
If you have had oral or anal sex, a swab of calls can be retrieved from your rectum or throat, but this is not routinely done.

If you have symptoms of and eye infection such as conjunctivitis (discharges from the eye), a swab may be taken to retrieve cells from your eye.

When to get tested
Statistics from the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) in England show that you are more at risk of becoming infected with chlamydia if you are under the age of 25, are involved with a new sexual partner, or have had more than one sexual partner in the last year and have not used protection.

It is recommended that you get tested for chlamydia if:

* your partner or yourself think you have symptoms,
* you have had unprotected sex with a new partner,
* you and or your partner have had unprotected sex with other people,
* you have an STI,
* a sexual partner tells you that they currently have an STI,
* during a vaginal examination your doctor or nurse tells you that there is discharge or the cells of your cervix are inflamed, or
* you are planning a pregnancy, or are pregnant.

Where to get tested
There are a variety of different places you can go to for a chlymidia test, you can chose the place most comfortable and convenient for you:

* a sexual health clinic or a genitourinary medicine (GUM),
* your doctors surgery,
* a young people’s and contraceptive clinic, or
* a pharmacy where you can buy and do the chlymidia test at home – certain tests may be more reliable than others so it is best to ask your pharmacist for advice.

The National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) offers free tests to males and females under 25 who have been sexually active. The programme runs across the UK and will help you to access local chlamydia screening services. The screening can take place in a variety of community settings, including contraceptive clinics, GP surgeries, sexual health and GUM clinics, military bases, pharmacies, youth centres and gynaecology departments.

You should be able to find details of your nearest sexual health or GUM clinic in the telephone book, or by making use of the local health service search. You may attend these clinics at any age, even if you are younger than 16 years of age (the age of consent for sex), and all the results are treated with high confidentiality.

* unprotected vaginal sex,
* unprotected anal sex,
* unprotected oral sex,
* being in genital contact with an infected partner, or
* sharing sex toys if they have not been cleaned or covered with a condom each time they are used.

If vaginal fluid or infected semen comes into contact with the eye, it can lead to conjunctivitis.

It is unclear whether a chlamydia infection can be spread by transferring vaginal fluid or infected semen on the fingers or by rubbing female genitals (vulvas) together.

As it is common for a person with the chlamydia infection to not have any symptoms, it is quite possible for them to infect a partner without knowing.

It is possible for chlamydia to be passed onto a child by her mother during childbirth. Although no obvious symptoms will be immediately apparent, the infection will often likely develop after birth, and can result in complications such as discharge in the baby’s eyes (conjunctivitis), inflammation and pneumonia.

Symptoms in Women
Genital chlamydia does not always cause symptoms in women. Symptoms and signs can appear 1-3 weeks after coming in contact with chlamydia, many months later or not until the infection has spread to other parts of your body.

Some women may notice:

* Cystitis (pain when urinating),
* a noticeable change in their vaginal discharge,
* lower abdominal pain,
* bleeding and/or pain during sexual intercourse,
* bleeding after sex, or
* bleeding between periods or heavier periods.

Untreated, the chlamydial infection can spread to the womb, and cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID is a major cause of ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and infertility .

Symptoms in Men
Genital chlamydia symptoms are more common in men than in women. Symptoms and signs can appear 1-3 weeks after coming in contact with chlamydia, many months later or not until the infection has spread to other areas of your body.

Some men may notice:

* a white, watery or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis,
* pain when urinating, or
* pain in the tesiticles.

Men can experience mild symptoms that disappear after two or three days. However, even after the discomfort has disappeared, you may still have the chlamydia infection. This means that you can pass it on to a sexual partner and you are at risk of complications such as reactive arthritis, inflamed and swollen testicles, and infertility.

Other potential symptoms in Men and women
On a rare occasion the chlamydia infection may affect areas other than the genitals in men and women, such as the throat, rectum or eyes.

If the infection is in the rectum it can cause some discharge and discomfort. In the eyes it can cause swelling, pain, discharge (conjunctivitis), and irritation. Infection in the throat is quite rare, and usually does not cause any symptoms.

Chlamydia is often called the ‘silent’ disease, due to most people who get it do not experience any obvious symptoms. Roughly 50% of men and 70-80% of women who get the chlamydia infection will have zero symptoms and many cases of chlamydia remain undiagnosed. Please see the symptoms page for detailed infomation.

How common is it?
The number of confirmed cases of chlamydia rose from 121,791 to 123,018 between 2007 and 2008. The people most likely to be infected are under the age of 25, and 65% (80,258) of all new chlamydia diagnoses made in 2008 were in young adults between the ages of 16 and 24.

Outlook
The chlamydia infection can generally be easily diagnosed through a simple urine or swab test, and once diagnosed it can be treated with antibiotics. Untreated chlamydia can easily lead to more serious health problems and infertility. Please see the diagnosis page for more information.

If you are under 25 and live in the UK, you can get a confidential chlamydia test through the National Chlamydia Screening Programme. People over 25 can visit their local GP or a GUM (genitourinary medicine) or sexual health clinic to organise a test.