Chlamydia

Learn about chlamydia and find information on symptoms, testing, and more.

Page Sections

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium. It is the most common STI in the United States and in Boston. You can treat and cure chlamydia by taking medication as prescribed.

Contact the Mayor’s Health Line for free, confidential, multilingual health information and referral services at 617-534-5050. The Mayor’s Health Line helps all residents regardless of immigration status or gender identity.

Questions? Contact us:
info@bphc.org
617-534-5395
1010 Massachusetts Ave.

2nd Floor

Boston, MA 02118

How to Prevent Chlamydia

Chlamydia spreads through vaginal fluids or semen when someone has vaginal or anal sex with a person who has chlamydia. Chlamydia can also pass from birthing parent to child during birth. To help prevent chlamydia:

Use a new barrier method every time (like a condom or dental dam) for each sexual act, partner, and when switching between oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- Condoms made from “natural” materials (such as lambskin) can help prevent pregnancy, but they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For STI protection, use latex, polyurethane, or polyisoprene condoms. Check the product label to confirm what type of condom you’re using.
Consider Doxy PEP: Taking doxycycline within 24 hours after sex can help prevent chlamydia as PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). Talk to a healthcare provider if you think you were exposed or think you may be exposed in the future.
Get tested regularly: Some people with chlamydia don’t have symptoms, which is why getting tested and knowing your status is important to stop the spread and get treatment if needed.
Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, follow cleaning instructions for toys and check for damage, and use condoms on toys.
Understand that having sex while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol can increase the likelihood of unprotected sex.

Testing

Testing is quick and painless, using a urine sample or a simple swab. Providers may also test for gonorrhea at the same time. It is important to get tested because many do not have symptoms or know they have it. Without treatment, chlamydia can cause serious health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, chronic pelvic pain, or ectopic pregnancy, and it can be spread to partners without knowing.

We recommend yearly testing for anyone who is sexually active and under 25. Other times to get tested more include:

Every time you have a new partner
For people of any age at high risk, including:
- Those who have had unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, or sex with a new partner
- All pregnant people
  - If trying to get pregnant or are currently pregnant, talk to a health care provider about getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- 3 months after treatment for an STI

Free or low cost and confidential testing is available at clinics throughout Boston.

Learn More

If you don't have health insurance or don't want to use your health insurance, you can still get tested. Call your healthcare provider to confirm the schedule. Find additional information and locations.
If you are a Boston Public High School student, your school may have a School-Based Health Center or Health Resource Center. According to Massachusetts State Law, if you are 13 or older you can get a confidential STI test without your parents' permission.

Treatment

Can you treat chlamydia?

Yes, chlamydia is easily treated. Antibiotics can cure chlamydia. Visit your healthcare provider again if you still have symptoms after taking your medicine. Alternative medicines are available if you are allergic to the medicine usually prescribed.

Should my partner get treated?

Yes. Recent (within the last 60 days) or regular sex partners must get treatment before having sex again. It is best to get treatment at the same time. Massachusetts regulations allow partners of patients with chlamydia to get treatment without testing. Ask your healthcare provider during your visit and read about Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT). If your partner is not treated, you can be re-infected.

Expedited Partner Therapy: In 2011, the Massachusetts Legislature and Massachusetts Public Health Council passed a policy allowing qualified healthcare providers to prescribe medication for chlamydia treatment for heterosexual partners of infected individuals. Partners do not need a physician to see them for treatment. This legislation passed on July 1, 2011 under code 128 of the Massachusetts Public Health Law. It is currently effective.

Symptoms

Most people do not have symptoms. If symptoms occur, they may start about 1-3 weeks after infection. For those who do have symptoms, the most common ones are:

For people with vaginas:

Unusual discharge (yellowish or whitish fluid) from the vagina
Pain and/or burning when urinating or during sex
Pain in the stomach or back
Bleeding even when it’s not during a period
In more serious infections, fever
Symptoms of rectal chlamydia infections may cause pain, discharge or bleeding from the rectum (bum)

For people with penises:

Unusual discharge (thick white or watery fluid) coming from the penis
Pain and/or burning when urinating
Less common symptoms include:
- Heavy feeling and/or pain in the testicles
- Pain, swelling or redness around the scrotum
- Symptoms of rectal chlamydia infections may cause pain, discharge or bleeding from the rectum (bum)

How long can a person spread chlamydia?

A person can spread chlamydia to others from the time they get the infection until they are treated. A person can spread chlamydia to others even if they do not have symptoms. If you are taking medicine, do not have sex for 7 days after you finish taking the pill(s). It is important to know that you can get infected with chlamydia many times.