Chlamydia is a common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI). Many infected individuals have no symptoms, leading to undiagnosed cases. Untreated chlamydia can cause complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, potentially affecting fertility, and epididymitis in men. Fortunately, antibiotics effectively treat chlamydia.
Understanding Chlamydia Treatment
Chlamydia treatment involves antibiotics. Common regimens include a single 1-gram dose of azithromycin or 100 milligrams of doxycycline twice daily for seven days. For pregnant individuals, azithromycin or amoxicillin are prescribed. Complete the entire course as prescribed, even if symptoms improve, to clear the infection. During treatment and for a specified time afterward, abstain from sexual activity to prevent transmission or reinfection.
Confirming Treatment Success
After chlamydia treatment, confirming the infection is cleared is key. For most cases, a routine “test of cure” (TOC) is not recommended, except for pregnant individuals who should be retested four weeks after treatment. This is because complications can arise for mother and neonate if the infection persists during pregnancy. While symptoms resolve within days to weeks after starting treatment, chlamydia often has no symptoms, so their absence alone does not confirm cure. Partner notification and treatment for all sexual partners from the last 60 days is vital for successful treatment and preventing reinfection.
Resuming Sexual Activity Safely
To safely resume sexual activity after chlamydia treatment, a specific waiting period applies. Individuals receiving a single-dose antibiotic like azithromycin should abstain from sexual intercourse for seven days after taking the medication. For those on a seven-day course, abstinence should continue until the full course is completed and an additional seven days after the last dose. This period allows antibiotics time to clear the infection.
All sexual partners from the last 60 days must also get tested and treated. Untreated partners pose a high reinfection risk, leading to a cycle of infection. Even if symptoms resolve and the waiting period passes, retesting is recommended three months after treatment for non-pregnant individuals due to high reinfection rates (15-20% within months). This helps detect new infections.
Strategies for Preventing Reinfection
Beyond immediate post-treatment, consistent prevention strategies avoid reinfection. Consistent and correct condom use during all sexual activity—vaginal, anal, and oral—reduces transmission risk. Condoms act as a physical barrier against infectious fluids.
Regular STI testing is another prevention strategy, especially for individuals with new or multiple partners. Open communication with partners about STI status and testing encourages shared responsibility. Limiting sexual partners also reduces exposure to chlamydia and other STIs. These measures protect against infections and promote long-term sexual well-being.