chlamydia

What are chlamydia and gonorrhea? � Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two different infections that you can catch during sex. They cause similar symptoms.

These infections can affect the:

■Sex organs (figure 1 and figure 2)
■Urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body)
■Throat
■Rectum or anus (especially in men who have sex with men)

Infections that you can catch during sex are called �sexually transmitted infections.�

What are the symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhea? � Often these infections cause no symptoms. But when they do, the symptoms are different for men than for women.

■In women, the symptoms of both infections include:

�Vaginal discharge
�Abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting
�Belly pain
�Pain during sex
�Burning or pain during urination

In addition to the symptoms listed above, in women gonorrhea can also cause itching of the vagina or anus.

■In men, the symptoms of both infections include:

�Burning or pain during urination
�Discharge from the penis
�Pain, swelling, or tenderness of the testicles

Are there tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea? � Yes. Your doctor or nurse can test you for these infections using a:

■Urine sample
■Sample from inside the vagina, if you are a woman

Should I see a doctor or nurse? � Yes, you should see a doctor or nurse if you have any of the symptoms listed above. You should also see a doctor or nurse if any of your sexual partners have been diagnosed with either infection. Even if you have no symptoms, you could be infected.

Your doctor might want to test you for sexually transmitted infections now and in the future.

How are chlamydia and gonorrhea treated? � The main treatment for both infections is antibiotics. The antibiotic for gonorrhea often comes in a single shot. The antibiotic for chlamydia comes in a pill. Treatment might involve taking a single pill, or it might involve taking medicine for a whole week. No matter what, make sure you take all the pills your doctor or nurse prescribes. Otherwise the infection might come back.

If you learn that you have chlamydia or gonorrhea, you should tell all the people you have had sex with recently. They might also be infected (even if they have no symptoms) and need treatment.

What happens if I don�t get treated? � Leaving chlamydia or gonorrhea untreated can cause long term problems for both men and women. In women it can lead to a problem called �pelvic inflammatory disease,� or �PID.� PID can cause pain and make it hard to get pregnant. In men and women, leaving gonorrhea untreated can lead to joint infections and arthritis. It can also increase the risk of becoming infected with HIV.

Can chlamydia and gonorrhea prevented? � You can reduce your chances of getting chlamydia or gonorrhea by:

■Using a latex condom every time you have sex
■Avoiding sex when you or your partner has any symptoms that could be caused by an infection (such as itching, discharge, or pain with urination)
■Not having sex
◄ BACK

Contact:

2480 ROSEWOOD DRIVE
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI 48858-5003

Phone (989) 775-3823

Fax (810) 275-0307

Rosewood Healthcare & Medical Spa

A Promise for Exceptional Care

Please look us up on the web at www.rosewoodhc.com

chlamydia

Contact:

Rosewood Healthcare & Medical Spa

A Promise for Exceptional Care

Please look us up on the web at www.rosewoodhc.com

chlamydia

Patient Access

Contact: