Chlamydia

What is it?

Chlamydia is the most common sexually spread bacterial infection among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Chlamydia can infect the:

• penis (dick)
• anus (bum)
• throat

Note: Chlamydia can also infect the eyes, but this is usually spread from a breast feeding mother to her baby.

How do you get it?

You can get chlamydia through:

• vaginal sex (can infect both the vagina and penis)
• anal sex (can infect both the anus and penis)
• oral sex (can infect both the throat and penis)
• using fingers or hands in the vagina or anus can also spread  chlamydia

What are the signs?

Most people – women (75%), men (50%) – have no signs or symptoms at all. Even with no signs, chlamydia can be causing damage on the inside, mainly for women.

Signs you may have chlamydia can include:

For men:

• a painful or burning sensation when peeing
• unusual discharge from the dick
• swollen or tender balls

Tests for chlamydia

A doctor can test for chlamydia by swabbing the throat or anus. A urine (pee) test is used to check for infections in the penis.

Treatment for chlamydia

Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics (drugs that kill certain germs). Usually it is just one dose. If you have sexual partners they need to be told about possible infection so they can be tested and treated too.

Preventing chlamydia

Using condoms and lube reduces the risk of chlamydia spreading. You should also have regular STI checks as part of your men’s sexual health check-ups.