Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a tiny bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis. If left untreated by antibiotics it can have serious complications.

Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK. It affects both sexes, although young women are more at risk.

Chlamydia facts

  • in 2009, 216,000 people were treated at genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics for chlamydia. Of these, 130,000 were women, and 86,000 were men.
  • it’s thought that tens of thousands of other people have caught the infection, but they are unaware that they’ve got it.
  • chlamydia can be cured, but unfortunately it often produces no symptoms in either men or women, so it can remain undetected.
  • it has recently been estimated that 40 per cent of women who have untreated chlamydia may develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a condition in which the internal genital organs are permanently damaged.

Source: NetDoctor

Read more

  • Chlamydia @ BBC Health

    Excerpt: If you think you might have chlamydia, it’s important to be tested quickly. Testing is free on the NHS from genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics, sexual health clinics, many contraception clinics, your GP and pharmacies. In some areas, testing kits may also be available by post. Chlamydia is easy to treat with antibiotics, either as a single dose or longer course for up to two weeks.

  • Sexual conditions health centre > Chlamydia – What is chlamydia? @ WebMD

    Excerpt: Chlamydia is an infection that you can get when you have sex. If you have chlamydia, you probably won’t feel ill and may not know you’ve got it. That’s why it’s often called the ‘silent disease’. ‘Safe sex’ habits will help you to avoid getting it.

Further help

  • NHS Sexual Health Helpline on 0800 567 123