Prevent chlamydia infection
Chlamydia is the UK's most common STI and is potentially life-changing. Use a
- condom to prevent chlamydia infection
- Dr Morton's Test Kit© for chlamydia to check
-
Dr Morton's Prescription© to treat chlamydia infection
With Dr Morton's - the medical helpline© you can email or phone a real doctor at any time for more information, reassurance or advice
Dr Morton's Prescription© for chlamydia
Dr Morton's Test Kit© for chlamydia and gonorrhoea
Chlamydia the hidden threat
Chlamydia is the UK's most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Around 10% of people aged between 17 and 25 are carriers. There may be no apparent symptoms but it is potentially highly damaging if left untreated.
Symptoms of chlamydia infection
- potentially severe illness with agonizing stomach pains and fever, necessitating admission to hospital and intravenous antibiotics
- you may have this STI even if you have no symptoms
- even when giving no symptoms, chlamydia can get up into the fallopian tubes and lead to blocked tubes and infertility
- in men, the commonest symptoms are pain when passing urine and pain in the testicles. There may be a discharge from the penis
When to contact a doctor
Seek medical advice if you are unwell with abdominal pain and a fever
Prevention and available treatments
All sexually active people should protect themselves against infection by using a condom when having sex with a new partner, until both parties have been tested and cleared, particularly if the new partner's sexual history is at all unclear.
If you are concerned about other sexually transmitted infections 'STIs' (for example if you have a new partner) it may be wise to consider a more comprehensive STI / STD screening test. With
Our doctors screen the
If you believe that you may have been exposed to chlamydia after unprotected sex, it is important to act quickly to prevent infection and possible long-term damage. If your test result is positive, you will want speedy access to the antibiotic treatment required in the form of
It is important that all sexual partners should be informed and advised to be treated or tested. You must not have sex for seven days after treatment.
Ideally, the chlamydia test should be repeated 6-8 weeks after treatment to check that the chlamydia has been fully treated.
If you are about to travel and concerned to take precautions to prevent chlamydia, you may wish to purchase
People who are allergic to doxycycline should be treated with Azithromycin instead.
Always read the literature supplied with any medicine.
Related topics
- cold sores and herpes
- control thrush
- syphilis, gonorrhoea, and other sexual health issues
- bacterial vaginosis