How long does chlamydia last? 

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This is because chlamydia can spread easily, and often has no symptoms. Therefore, most people that have chlamydia are not even aware of it, at least in the beginning. Therefore, it is important to test regularly if you have had unprotected sex with new or changing sex partners. Luckily, this is now possible from home with Homed-IQ’s chlamydia home test.

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that affects the sex organs, throat, or even the eyes of individuals exposed. As mentioned above, chlamydia mostly presents without any symptoms, which is unfortunately the reason that it often goes untreated and spreads easily. Luckily, it is possible to detect chlamydia with self-tests, just as the one you can buy here at Homed-IQ. The tests from Homed-IQ are 100% anonymous, and are shipped in discreet packaging.

To learn more about chlamydia, read our article “What is chlamydia?“.

How do I get chlamydia?

Chlamydia mostly spreads through sexual contact with an infected partner, regardless of performing oral, anal, or vaginal sex. It is also possible for a baby to be born with chlamydia, if the mother was infected during pregnancy and gives birth without being treated. It also happens frequently that infected people have sex when not their treatment is not fully finished yet, reinfecting their partner unknowingly. The only way to prevent spreading/contracting chlamydia is the usage of barriers like a condom during sexual contact.

If you test positive for chlamydia, do not worry! Chlamydia is easily treatable with the right antibiotics. With the proper treatment, a chlamydia infection can be treated within a few weeks.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

As mentioned before, chlamydia spreads silently, and most people who have it do not have any symptoms. When symptoms are present, a chlamydia infection can cause symptoms in four areas of the body.

Chlamydia symptoms in the vagina

  • Pain during sex
  • Burning feeling during urination
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vaginal discharge

Chlamydia symptoms in the penis

  • Testicular pain, swelling, and tenderness
  • Burning feeling during urination
  • Discharge from the penis

Chlamydia symptoms in the rectum

Rectal symptoms can not only come from anal sex- sometimes the infection can spread from the vaginal/penile area to the rectal area. Rectal chlamydia symptoms can include:

  • Rectal pain
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Rectal discharge

Chlamydia symptoms in the throat

  • Pain in the mouth
  • Sore throat
  • Sores around the lips
  • Mouth sores
  • Redness in the throat or mouth
  • Occasionally fever

How long does chlamydia last if I don’t treat it?

As already mentioned, it often happens that a person has no chlamydia symptoms at all. Once chlamydia is treated, it usually resolves within 14 days. In case there are no symptoms or the symptoms are ignored, a chlamydia infection can last for a very long time. The danger in this is that an untreated chlamydia infection can cause long-term side effects.

What happens if I don’t treat chlamydia?

Chlamydia can cause long-term complications when not treated. Some of the most common complications from an untreated chlamydia infection can be:

  • Sexually acquired reactive arthritis (SARA) – a condition that causes the eyes, joints, or urethra to become inflamed. This complication is more common in men.
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – a disease that can permanently damage the uterus, ovaries, or the fallopian tubes.
  • Epididymis – an inflammation near the testicles that causes pain and swelling. When left untreated, it can affect fertility. 
  • Infections in newborns – it is possible that a pregnant woman passes chlamydia to her baby. Over time, the baby may develop pneumonia or an eye infection.

What happens after I get treated for chlamydia?

During your treatment with antibiotics, it is advised to avoid sexual intercourse to eliminate the risk of infecting your partner, even if you no longer have symptoms. Even after your treatment is over, it is recommended to wait another week before having sex again. This way, you make sure that the infection is cleared and you no longer can infect your partner. Since it is still possible to be reinfected with chlamydia, it is recommended to do another self-test approximately 12 weeks after treatment. 

References

CDC – Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). STD Facts – Chlamydia. Chlamydia Fact Sheet. Retrieved March 31, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm

MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Chlamydia Infections. Chlamydia | Chlamydia Symptoms | MedlinePlus. Retrieved March 31, 2022, from https://medlineplus.gov/chlamydiainfections.htmlMitton, A. (2021, November 3).

How Long Does Chlamydia Last? K Health – How Long Does Chlamydia Last? Retrieved March 31, 2022, from https://khealth.com/learn/std/how-long-does-chlamydia-last/

All HOMED-IQ content is reviewed by medical specialists

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