In The Know Zone

Chlamydia Basics

Chlamydia

Chlamydia (say “kluh-MID-ee-ah”) is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD). About 4 million Americans get chlamydia every year, but only about 1,200,000 of these are diagnosed and treated. That means that millions of people are ignoring the very dangerous symptoms of chlamydia, maybe without even knowing they're infected. Even worse? They're putting their sexual partners at risk without even warning them.

Chlamydia can lie in wait with no obvious symptoms in women. Only about 1 out of 5 women with chlamydia have any noticeable signs of the disease. About ten percent of men with the disease have symptoms. These people can spread the disease to others, even though they don’t know they have it. Chlamydia can do serious, irreversible damage to a person without him or her knowing why! Sometimes a chlamydia victim can go months or years before discovering the cause of their failing health.

Chlamydia’s serious complications include infertility (inability to have children) in both men and women, complications during pregnancies and pus filled infections of other body parts. Even the eyes.

No one has to suffer from Chlamydia. Chlamydia can be cured by simple antibiotics. If sexually active people get tested for chlamydia and other STDs regularly (about twice a year), and then get immediate treatment, the spread of these harmful diseases can be slowed or stopped. Use the links in the menu to the left to learn the facts about chlamydia and protect yourself and partner.

You can check out the information on other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as well, we've got lots of info to help keep you safe. When you're finished surfing, you can see how much you've learned by taking our interactive quiz. You might be surprised at how well you do.

Got Questions? Get In the Know!

In The Know: STI Pamphlet/ DVD Package
In the Know: STI Pamphlet Package