Chlamydia infection

Overview

Chlamydia can cause a discharge, burning during urination and itchy genitals. The infection is transmitted through unprotected sex. As long-term consequences can occur if the infection isn't treated, treatment with antibiotics is very important.

Symptoms

Main symptoms

The symptoms are often very slight or go completely unnoticed.

Women can experience:

• Lower abdominal pain
• Burning during urination, constant urge to urinate
• Itchy genitals
• Unusual vaginal discharge (different odour, colour)
• Pain during intercourse
• Anal itching or discharge

Men can experience:

• Whitish urethral discharge (from the opening of the penis), particularly in the morning
• Pain during intercourse
• Itchy genitals
• Painful testicles
• Burning and pain during urination
• Anal itching or discharge
  

Complications

Failure to notice a chlamydia infection can lead to long-term consequences:

• Inflammation of the fallopian tubes (adnexitis)
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Ectopic pregnancy caused by adhesions (scar tissue) in the fallopian tube
• Involuntary childlessness (infertility)
• Chronic pain in the lower abdomen
• Infection of the prostate, testicles or epididymis
  

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Chlamydia infections are caused by bacteria (chlamydia trachomatis)

These bacteria are transmitted during unprotected intercourse.

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Swabs to identify bacteria

Possible therapies

• Antibiotics
  

What can I do myself?

Follow the safer sex rules:

• Always use a condom or femidom during sexual intercourse
• Don’t get sperm or blood (including menstrual blood) in your mouth, and don’t swallow sperm or blood

When to see a doctor?

• Itching, burning or discharge in the genital region
• After having high-risk sex, i.e. in particular after unprotected sex outside a committed partnership (casual sex)
• If your sexual partner is known or diagnosed to have a sexually transmitted infection or disease
  

Further information

Federal Office of Public Health, FOPH (Bundesamt für Gesundheit, BAG)
www.bag.admin.ch