All STI Questions
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex; any sexually active person can be infected. They can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth. Both chlamydia and gonorrhea can infect the throat; however, they cannot be transmitted from one infected throat to another through kissing. To learn more about how chlamydia and gonorrhea are transmitted go to the “Risks” link on the home page.
A person who has chlamydia and/or gonorrhea may not know they are infected. Getting tested is the best way to know whether or not you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that may or may not give someone symptoms when they are infected; symptoms also vary depending on what part of the body is infected. So even if you can’t see or feel the symptoms of chlamydia and/or gonorrhea, the infection could still be there. Only 25% of women and 50% of men who become infected develop symptoms; that means only 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 2 boys actually experience symptoms.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can still be transmitted from an infected person to a partner(s) during oral, anal, or vaginal sex even when no symptoms are present. If you are among those few who develop symptoms (such as painful urination, odd or smelly discharge, or abdominal pain), you will start to notice them between 1 to 3 weeks after you were infected. Therefore, men and women can be infected for a very long period of time and not know it until the infection results in health problems. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are both easily tested for and treated. To learn more visit the “Symptoms” link on the home page. A list of public testing locations is also available on this website. Simply go to the “Testing location” link on the home page under the “Resources” tab and select your county.
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that may or may not give someone symptoms when they are infected; symptoms also vary depending on what part of the body is infected. Even if you can’t see or feel the symptoms of chlamydia and/or gonorrhea, the infection could still be there. Only 25% of women and 50% of men who become infected develop symptoms; that is only 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 2 boys actually experience symptoms.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can still be transmitted from an infected person to a partner(s) during oral, anal, or vaginal sex even when no symptoms are present. If you are among those few who develop symptoms (such as painful urination, odd or smelly discharge, or abdominal pain), you will start to notice them between 1 to 3 weeks after you were infected. Getting tested is the best way to know whether or not you have a sexually transmitted infection.
To learn more about the signs and symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhea, go to the “Symptoms” link on the home page. To learn about the symptoms of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), go to the “Resources” link also located on the home page.
Yes. Gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause a woman to be unable to have a baby. Untreated gonorrhea and chlamydial infections can cause serious, permanent health problems in both women and men. When these infections are left untreated they can cause women to become infertile (unable to get pregnant and/or give birth to a baby) and men to become sterile (incapable of reproduction). If a pregnant woman is infected, she may give the infection to her baby as the baby passes through the birth canal during delivery. This can cause blindness or a life-threatening respiratory infection in the baby. Getting tested is very important as these infections can be easily cured with antibiotics before serious health problems develop. To learn more go to the “Risks” link on the home page.
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that may or may not give someone symptoms when they are infected; symptoms also vary depending on what part of the body is infected. Only 25% of women and 50% of men who become infected develop symptoms; that means only 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 2 boys actually experience symptoms. If you are among those few who develop symptoms (such as painful urination, odd or smelly discharge, or abdominal pain), you will start to notice them between 1 to 3 weeks after you were infected. Serious health complications still occur in people who do not have symptoms. Therefore, men and women can be infected for a very long period of time and not know it until the infection results in health problems. Chlamydia is easily tested for and treatable. A list of public testing locations is available on this website. Simply go to the “Testing location” link on the home page under the “Resources” tab and select your county.
Chlamydia (kluh-mid-ee-uh) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex; any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth. To learn more, visit the links on the home page.
If 1 partner is infected prior to their current relationship, just because they are currently monogamous doesn’t mean their current partner won’t get the infection. If neither partner is infected, and they are mutually monogamous (only with each other), then neither partner will become infected.
If there is any question as to whether or not you or your partner has chlamydia or another STI, it is worth getting tested to prevent the contraction or spread of any such infections.
While it is possible to have vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected partner and not get infected, it’s unlikely. For more information, check out the “Prevention” link on the home page.
Most people with a pharyngeal (throat) infection don’t experience any symptoms, although a sore throat can occur. When you go in for testing, be sure to ask for a throat swab in addition to other testing that is offered. To find a testing location near you, simply go to the “Testing location” link on the home page under the “Resources” tab and select your county.
Besides vaginal, oral, and anal sex, the only way chlamydia can be spread is through the birth process, from mother to baby during a vaginal birth.
In order to get chlamydia or gonorrhea, you have to have vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person. For more information on preventing these infections, check out the “Prevention” link on the home page.
Condoms work as a barrier to help prevent the exchange of potentially infected bodily fluids; although any sexual contact with an infected person could spread chlamydia or gonorrhea regardless of condom use. For more information visit the “Prevention” link on the home page.
Tiredness is not a common symptom. The most common symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhea can be found under the “Symptoms” link on the homepage. Although your question may not be related to chlamydia or gonorrhea infection, it’s best to visit a doctor for an exam. Any time a person notices symptoms that are abnormal, it’s best to be examined right away.
Yes. Contact with infected fluids and transmission can still occur when a person has sex with someone of their same sex. The bacteria can be transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Both men and women can become infected and transmit chlamydia and gonorrhea. Any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia and/or gonorrhea. To learn more go to the “Risks” link on this website.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea often occur without symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure, at the site(s) of infection. Because you are experiencing discomfort, it’s best to head back to the doctor for a follow-up visit. Anytime a person notices symptoms that are abnormal, it’s best to be examined right away. To learn more about chlamydia and gonorrhea, please visit the links on the homepage.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex; any sexually active person can be infected. Bodily fluids containing chlamydia and/or gonorrhea must be transmitted from person to person in order for an infection to occur. Therefore, infected fluids on a toilet seat or a bar of soap cannot transmit chlamydia and/or gonorrhea to other toilet or soap users. To learn more go to the “Risks” link on the home page.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex; any sexually active person can be infected. Bodily fluids containing chlamydia and/or gonorrhea must be transmitted from person to person in order for an infection to occur. Therefore, infected fluids floating in a pool or hot tub cannot transmit chlamydia and/or gonorrhea to other swimmers. To learn more go to the “Risks” link on the home page.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is transmitted through the following 4 fluids: 1) blood, 2) semen, 3) vaginal fluids, and 4) breast milk. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Women infected with chlamydia are up to 5 times more likely to become infected with HIV, if exposed. In addition, people with gonorrhea can more easily contract HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. HIV-infected people with gonorrhea can transmit HIV more easily to someone else than if they did not have gonorrhea. For more information on HIV, take a peek at the “Resources” tab on the home page.
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis. It is important to know chlamydia can be asymptomatic, meaning an infected individual may not develop any signs/symptoms and therefore not know they are infected. Some infected individuals may notice a yellow or milky white discharge, or a burning sensation while urinating. To see what chlamydia and gonorrhea look like up close, go to STI or not? in the bottom left corner of the home page. To learn more about the symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhea go to the “Symptoms” link on the home page.
No. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex; any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia and/or gonorrhea. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth. Both chlamydia and gonorrhea can infect the throat; however, they cannot be transmitted from 1 infected throat to another through sharing food and beverages. To learn more go to the “Risks” link on the home page.
Chlamydia can be transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex; any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. Both chlamydia and gonorrhea can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. A single pill, several pills, or a liquid medication are the most commonly used treatments. Abstinence should be continued until 7 days after a single-dose regimen or after completion of a 7-day regimen. Persons with chlamydia and/or gonorrhea should abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their sex partner(s) have completed treatment; otherwise re-infection is possible.
Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea infections can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men. In women, the damage caused by the STIs can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancies (a pregnancy outside the uterus). In men, infection sometimes spreads to the epididymis (ducts attached to the testicles where sperm mature and are stored) causing pain, fever, and rarely, sterility. To learn more go to the “Risks” link on the home page.
Chlamydia can be transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The best way to prevent the transmission of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other STIs is to abstain from sexual contact. Once an individual has decided to become sexually active, it is best to practice mutual monogamy with a spouse or partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected. Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly during oral, anal, and vaginal sex, can greatly reduce the risk of chlamydia and gonorrhea transmission. To learn more go to the “Prevention” link on the home page.
Chlamydia is not contagious from dogs to people or vice versa. Although dogs can contract chlamydia, it is caused by a different type of bacteria found in birds (Chlamydia psittaci), compared with the bacteria that infects humans (Chlamydia tachomatis). The chlamydia that infects dogs is not contracted from the transmission of bodily fluids with other dogs. Dogs actually catch the infection when they come into contact with feces of infected birds. For humans, chlamydia can be transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth. Both chlamydia and gonorrhea can infect the throat; however, they cannot be transmitted from one infected throat to another through kissing. To learn more go to the “Risks” link on the home page.
Both men and women may experience asymptomatic (without symptoms) infections; symptoms will vary depending on what part of the body is infected. Women are the most likely to experience an asymptomatic gonorrhea infection. Chlamydia is known as a “silent” disease because about three-quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have NO symptoms. So yes, even if you can’t see or feel the symptoms of chlamydia and/or gonorrhea, the infection could still be there. To learn more go to the “Symptoms” link on the home page.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea are not easy to talk about; however, patients will thank you for starting the conversation and arming them with knowledge. As a healthcare provider, strive to diminish the barriers that most often prevent you from talking about STIs with your patients. You never know how many infections you could prevent by starting the conversation!
Arm your patients with the facts; refer them to this site and others where they can obtain more information for themselves about chlamydia and gonorrhea. The more your patients know about the diseases—the risks, the symptoms, the prevention—the more they’ll know about how to avoid encountering one.
No specific age is right for everyone; the individual, their parents, and their healthcare provider usually assist in determining the proper age. However, healthcare providers should know that 65% of chlamydia and gonorrhea cases in Utah are diagnosed in 15-24 year olds. When it comes to diseases that can cause infertility and sterility, do not hesitate to educate your patients.
When you contract herpes, you’re contracting a virus. Unlike chlamydia and gonorrhea, which are bacteria and can be treated, herpes will stay in your body forever. Herpes symptoms do come and go, meaning, you won’t always have a sore. The virus is closely related to your immune system, so when you’re sick, stressed, or traveling, herpes sees that as an opportunity to create a viral surge and you will soon see blisters that will pop and scab. This is the most infectious stage of the herpes virus. You should not kiss anyone, share drinks or chapstick, or let others touch open sores as they can easily be transmitted during this time. Herpes is transmissible at any time, but less so when sores aren’t present.
It is possible for herpes to be transmitted from mouth to genitals. To learn more about herpes go to the “Resources” tab on the home page.
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). Most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2. Most individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When signs do occur, they typically appear as 1 or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take 2 to 4 weeks to heal the first time they occur. Any time a person notices symptoms that are unusual, it’s best to be examined right away. To find a list of testing locations near you, simply go to “Testing locations” located under the “Resources” tab on the home page.
Yes. Genital herpes can still be transmitted while using a condom. Genital herpes is passed from person to person through skin to skin contact. Genital herpes is found in and released from the sores that it causes, but it can also be released between outbreaks from skin that does not appear to have a sore. So if the genital herpes sore is on an area of skin that is not covered by the condom, it is possible for transmission to happen even while using a condom. For more information about herpes see the “Resources” link on the home page.
The best way to prevent the transmission of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other STIs is to abstain from sexual contact, and practice mutual monogamy with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected. To learn more about prevention options go to the “Prevention” link on the home page.
Take a deep breath, because we are here to assist you! With the help of this website, no parent will ever be left guessing when it comes to chlamydia and gonorrhea. This site contains all of the information you need about risks, symptoms, prevention, treatment, and testing so you’ll never run into a question you can’t answer.