Chlamydia - What else should I know?

If you do test positive for chlamydia then it would be strongly advisable for you to go and get checked out for other sexually transmitted infections at a GU clinic.

Chlamydia is certainly the more common STI and so is good to screen for, but being infected with chlamydia means that you might be at risk of catching other infections as well.

If you were exposed to chlamydia during sex then you may have also been exposed to other infections, as most are transmitted in the same way, and also, having chlamydia can make those infections easier to catch. For instance did you know that women with chlamydia are 5 times more likely to get HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, from an infected partner? It’s important to think about these things too.

You can only be certain you have Chlamydia if you have a test so don’t delay in getting a check-up.

If you are still thinking about whether to get tested for Chlamydia or not, let me summarise here the different situations that should prompt you to get a test:

• If you are under 25, have a new sexual partner, or more than one sexual partner in the last year, and have not used condoms.
• If you, or a partner, have or think you might have symptoms.
• If you, or a partner, have had unprotected sex with other partners.
• If a sexual partner tells you they have a sexually transmitted infection.
• If you find that you have another sexually transmitted infection.
• If during a vaginal examination your doctor or nurse notice that the cells of the cervix are inflamed or there is a discharge.
• Finally I would always recommend you get tested if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Remember that you could still have chlamydia even if a partner has tested negative – you cannot always rely on a partner’s negative test result.

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