Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. This bacterial infection can affect both men and women, often without noticeable symptoms. The question of contracting chlamydia with only one partner is a frequent concern, highlighting a common misunderstanding about how STIs operate.
How Chlamydia Spreads
Chlamydia primarily spreads through sexual contact, involving the exchange of bodily fluids like vaginal fluid and semen. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex, even without full penetration or ejaculation. Direct contact with infected mucous membranes, such as those in the genitals, anus, or throat, is necessary for transmission.
The bacteria can also be transmitted through shared sex toys if not properly cleaned between uses. A pregnant individual with chlamydia can also pass the infection to their baby during childbirth.
Understanding Infection in Monogamous Relationships
It is possible to contract chlamydia within a committed, monogamous relationship, even without infidelity. A primary reason for this is the infection’s asymptomatic nature; many individuals, up to 80% of women and 50% of men, experience no symptoms. This allows the infection to persist undetected for extended periods.
One or both partners may have contracted chlamydia from a previous relationship and carried it asymptomatically into the current one. The infection can remain dormant for weeks, months, or even years. This means an individual could have been infected long before entering their current relationship, with the infection only becoming apparent during routine testing or if symptoms develop.
The incubation period, the time between exposure and the appearance of symptoms or a positive test result, can also vary. While symptoms often appear within one to three weeks, they can sometimes take months to manifest. Reinfection is possible if a treated partner is re-exposed, emphasizing the importance of both partners receiving simultaneous treatment. Therefore, the presence of chlamydia does not automatically indicate unfaithfulness within a monogamous relationship.
Recognizing Symptoms and Getting Diagnosed
Despite its often silent nature, chlamydia can cause symptoms in some individuals. In women, these may include unusual vaginal discharge, bleeding after sex or between periods, and pain or burning during urination. Some women might also experience lower abdominal pain or painful intercourse.
For men, chlamydia symptoms can involve a clear or cloudy discharge from the penis, pain or a burning sensation during urination, and, less commonly, pain and swelling in one or both testicles. Both men and women can experience rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding if the infection is in the anus, or a sore throat if it is in the throat from oral sex.
Since most chlamydia cases are asymptomatic, regular screening is important for sexually active individuals. Diagnosis typically involves laboratory tests, such as nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). Samples for testing can be collected through urine, or by swabbing affected areas like the cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat.
Treatment and Prevention
Chlamydia is curable with antibiotics, typically a seven-day course of doxycycline or a single dose of azithromycin. It is important to complete the entire course of medication as prescribed, even if symptoms improve or disappear.
To prevent reinfection and further spread, individuals should abstain from sexual activity for at least seven days after starting medication. Partner notification and treatment are also important. All sexual partners from the previous 60 days should be informed, tested, and treated to ensure the infection is cleared.
Consistent condom use during vaginal, anal, and oral sex is a primary prevention method. Regular STI screening, especially for sexually active individuals, also aids in early detection and prevention.