How is Chlamydia transmitted?

Through contaminated body fluid during sexual intercourse, whether this is oral, vaginal or anal sex. Condoms help reduce the risk but are not 100% effective at stopping STDs.

What are the symptoms?

This is the trump card for Chlamydia as it often doesn’t have any symptoms and can go unnoticed for long periods of time. On the occasion that symptoms do appear, men may experience mild discomfort passing urine or a penile discharge while women may experience pelvic pain akin to pelvic inflammatory disease.

Much like Gonorrhoea, screening is the only way to be sure.

How can I screen?

For men the screening will involve a urine sample, throat or anal swabs depending on the region at risk (chlamydia only spreads through direct contact).

Women will require swabs from the vagina, throat or anus, again depending on region at risk.

Since there are no symptoms can I ignore it?

No, you should not ignore chlamydia because the longer it stays in your body the greater then chance it could cause further, irreversible damage. Men may experience prostatitis (prostate gland swelling) or testicular swelling, which are often painful and debilitating. It can often still be cured but the process may be long and arduous.

Women will experience pelvic inflammatory disease, which is painful and can lead to internal scarring which is a leading cause of infertility.

How do I know if I am clear?

We would recommend testing again at about 4 weeks after completing the antibiotics to be sure. If the subsequent test is negative then you are all clear. But remember the treatment for the current infection of chlamydia does not protect you from reinfection later on. For more information please contact us or visit us in clinic.

Can Chlamydia be treated?

In Singapore, chlamydia is treated with a round of antibiotics. These antibiotics, usually should be taken for 7 to 14 days depending on the prescription. Patients should complete their full course of antibiotics, even if symptoms have subsided or disappeared. In addition to antibiotic treatment, patients must also abstain from sexual activity while they are being treated and until they have been cleared by a doctor. Any current or recent partners should also be tested and treated for chlamydia if necessary. If left untreated, the infection can progress to a more serious health issue such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy.

At present, there is no vaccine available for chlamydia in Singapore. That being said, the best way to prevent chlamydia is through safe sex practices including using condoms and limiting your sexual partners as much as possible. Regular testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is recommended if you are sexually active or have multiple sexual partners.

It’s important to note that chlamydia can be easily passed between partners, even if no symptoms are present. Being tested for STDs is the only way to know for sure whether or not you have been infected with an STD like chlamydia. If you think you may have been exposed to chlamydia, it’s highly recommended that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent long-term complications associated with chlamydia. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious health problems for both men and women. So it’s important to get tested and treated if necessary in order to protect your health and reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

Remember, chlamydia is a treatable infection with antibiotics, but it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions and take all medication as prescribed. If you think you may have been exposed to chlamydia, contact your healthcare provider right away for testing and treatment. Taking these steps can help you avoid any future health complications caused by chlamydia.