Chlamydia

In cooperation Gilead Sciences

What is chlamydia?

The most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection in Sweden is Chlamydia. The disease does not always cause symptoms which means that many people can be infected without knowing. Chlamydia is one of the more serious STIs. If left untreated, it can lead to sterility, among other things.

What causes the disease chlamydia?

The disease is caused by a bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis. The bacterium is mainly found in the urethra, and for women, also in the vagina. It can sometimes be found in the rectum and in rare cases also in the pharynx.

How is chlamydia transmitted?

Chlamydia can be transmitted during unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse, during unprotected oral sex, and sometimes during petting and rimming (if you lick someone’s rectal opening).

Important to test yourself

Chlamydia can cause serious complications if left untreated, especially for women (see below). It is important that you get tested if you suspect you might have contracted chlamydia. If you have a partner, he or she should get tested as well.

How do you protect yourself against chlamydia?

Condoms significantly reduce the risk of infection, provided that the condom is intact and worn throughout the intercourse.

What symptoms can you get from chlamydia?

More than half of all people who have been infected with chlamydia have no symptoms at all. For that reason, it is important that you always test yourself if you have had unprotected sexual contact. Those who develop symptoms usually have them after one to two weeks. The most common complaint is that it stings or itches when you urinate. This is because the bacteria has caused inflammation in the urethra. Other symptoms for women can be breakthrough bleeding and discharge, pain in the lower abdomen, and pain during intercourse. Men can sometimes have discharge from the urethra and swelling and pain in the scrotum.

How is examination and testing for chlamydia done?

Unlike an HIV test, a chlamydia test cannot be done anonymously. The test is free of charge and you will receive your test answer after about a week. The test involves providing a urine sample and taking samples from the cervix, rectum, and throat. In the laboratory, DNA determination or culture can then detect the bacteria. Before taking the sample, at least one week should have passed since the time of infection.

Where can you get tested?

You can be tested at all health care centers, GP practices, youth clinics, skin and vein clinics, sex and relations clinics, and specialist clinics for sexually transmitted infections. Telephone numbers and links to many of the country’s receptions can be found here. In some counties, you can order a home chlamydia test, which you send to a laboratory yourself and then get the answer online. If you live in Västra Götaland, Sörmland, Värmland, Gävleborg or Västerbotten, you can order a chlamydia test at home via www.klamydia.se. You can find other options to order home chlamydia tests online at www.klamydiatest.nu or at 1177.se. Via My Care contacts (Mina vårdkontakter), you should then be able to log in and find out your test result.

How to treat chlamydia?

Chlamydia infection is easily cured with antibiotics. You should not have intercourse or petting until the entire course of antibiotics has been completed. In some cases, a control sample is taken after the treatment to make sure that you are infection-free. The treatment is free of charge.

What can happen if Chlamydia is left untreated?

For women, chlamydia can cause fallopian tube inflammation, which can lead to sterility if the infection is left untreated. It is estimated that 50-60% of sterility in women is due to an untreated chlamydial infection. In the case of fallopian tube inflammation, there is also a risk of ectopic pregnancy in future pregnancy. The woman can also infect the child during childbirth so that the newborn child gets an eye infection and pneumonia. For men, chlamydia can cause inflammation of the epididymis, which can sometimes lead to sterility or reduced fertility.

Infection tracking requirements according to the Infection Protection Act

According to the Swedish Infection Protection Act, chlamydia is classified as a disease of danger for the public. This means that if you suspect that you have been infected, you are obliged to see a doctor to do the examinations and take the necessary tests. All examinations, care, and treatment are free of charge for the patient. Chlamydia is a disease subject to infection tracing, which means that you must provide information about the person or persons the infection may have come from and the person or persons to whom it may have been passed on to. You can choose to contact your partners yourself or have a doctor or counselor do it. In that case, you are always anonymous to your partners through the confidentiality protection in the Infection Protection Act. Occurred cases are reported anonymously to the infection control doctor in the county council and to the Infection Control Institute.