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Chlamydia – do you really know what it is?
Most people have heard of Chlamydia – it is after all one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – and yet there are still myths and misunderstandings about what it is and how it spreads
In conjunction with The Eddystone Trust, we’ve put together a short guide on the facts you should know.
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection passed on through sexual contact (including vaginal, anal and oral sex). The good news is it’s easy to test for and can be treated with antibiotics.
You might not know you have it
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you’ll notice symptoms. In fact, most people with chlamydia don’t have any symptoms at all. That means it can be passed between partners without anyone realising.
It can affect anyone
Chlamydia doesn’t just affect one gender, and you can’t tell if someone has it by how they look. Anyone who is sexually active can get it.
Why testing matters
Because it often has no symptoms, regular testing is really important—especially if you have a new partner or have had unprotected sex. Leaving it untreated can lead to longer-term health problems.
How to protect yourself
- Use condoms
- Get tested when you change partners
- Encourage partners to get tested too
- Don’t rely on symptoms or someone else’s test result
The bottom line
Chlamydia is common, but it’s easy to test and treat. Looking after your sexual health means knowing the facts and making testing a normal part of life. Find out more about chlamydia testing and treatment in our STI section.