Bibliography

http://www.healthdirect.gov.au/
chlamydia

STI INFORMATIONAL

https://
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/
health/conditionsandtreatments/

PAMPHLET FOR

chlamydia

http://www.sti.health.gov.au/

YOUNG ADULTS

internet/sti/publishing.nsf/
content/Chlamydia

https://
www.plannedparenthood.org/
learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/
chlamydia

CHLAMYDIA
BY ELSIE JOHNSON

If you think or know that you have a STI,

please do not rely on this pamphlet as a
replacement for proper medical advice.
Please go and see a doctor.

WHAT IS CHLAMYDIA?
Chlamydia is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
which can be transmitted from person-to-person
through unprotected sexual intercourse or contact. It
can be passed on through vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
Chlamydia can infect the penis, vagina, cervix, anus,
urethra, eye and throat. This STI can also be
transmitted from a pregnant mother, infected with
Chlamydia, to the baby during child birth, but it cannot
be passed on to another person through casual contact.
Chlamydia is also the most common reported STI
among young people in Australia. Approximately
82,707 new cases of Chlamydia were reported in 2012,
this means roughly 355 out of 100,000 people will have
this specific STI. About 81% of all the reported cases
were from 15-24 year olds. Chlamydia is caused by the
bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, and it equally affects
both men and women.
If you or your partner do have Chlamydia, there are
several ways to stop the STI from being passed on to
other people:

Do not have sex, even if it is protected, until after

you or your partner has been cured of chlamydia
Make sure your partner knows if one of you has
Chlamydia to prevent transmission.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

TREATMENT AND CURE

Chlamydia usually has no obvious symptoms, and it is

mainly women who dont know that they have it
without an STI check. Approximately 75-90% of women
and 90% of men with chlamydia will show no symptoms
whatsoever, and they have no knowledge of their
infection unless they are tested. There are, however,
some signs to look out for which may begin from 5-10
days after infection. Symptoms experienced by men:

Chlamydia is extremely easy to cure with the

right treatment. It is very important that a
person being cured for chlamydia follows
and takes all of their prescribed medication.
If it is taken properly, medicine will kill the
infection and will help avoid complications
later on in the future.

Swelling around the anus

Swollen or tender testicles

Pus, watery or milky discharge from the penis

If chlamydia is not treated properly, the

infection may spread to different parts of
the body, as well as leading to long term
health issues, such as pelvic inflammatory
disease, and even infertility.

Feeling pain or a burning sensation while urinating

Symptoms experienced by women:

Abdominal pain

Abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding in between

menstrual periods

Low-grade fever

Painful intercourse or bleeding after intercourse

Pain or a burning feeling while urinating, or the

urge to urinate more than usual

Swelling inside the vagina or around the anus

A yellowish discharge from the cervix that may

have a strong smell

Although it is rare, ones mouth, throat and eyes can

also show symptoms from chlamydia. Someone can
have a sore throat if they have mouth or throat
symptoms, and itchy, swollen eyes if someone shows
eye symptoms. A persons eyes can also have painful
sensations, as well as produce a discharge similar to
conjunctivitis.

It is very common for someone who has had

chlamydia to have a repeat infection, so if
you have had this STI, make sure you are
tested again approximately three months
after you or your sexual partner has been
treated for chlamydia.
If you want to seek advice or find out more
about chlamydia, you should always see
your doctor, as they probably would have
treated people for the same STI before. You
could also talk to the school nurse if you are
still in school, and you can always speak to a
welfare or social worker. There are also
multiple websites that you can look at such
as:

The Australian Government

Department of Health website

The Action Centre website (for young

people under the age of 25)