A diagnosis of chlamydia can be surprising, especially when both partners believe they have been “clean.” This situation often leads to confusion and concern about how the infection could have appeared. Understanding the nature of chlamydia, its transmission, and why it frequently goes unnoticed can provide clarity. This knowledge helps to address the initial surprise and guides individuals towards appropriate next steps.
How Chlamydia Spreads
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis. It primarily spreads through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Transmission occurs when vaginal fluid or semen containing the bacteria passes from one person to another. This can happen even without penetration or ejaculation.
It is important to understand that chlamydia is not spread through casual contact. Activities such as hugging, kissing, sharing food or drinks, using toilet seats, or touching do not transmit the bacteria. While rare, indirect contact through contaminated sex toys, towels, or undergarments can potentially lead to infection if infected fluids are present.
Why Chlamydia Often Goes Undetected
A primary reason chlamydia can emerge unexpectedly is its often asymptomatic nature. Many infected individuals, particularly women, experience no symptoms at all. Around 70% of women infected may not show symptoms, and less than 50% of both men and women develop symptoms.
When symptoms do appear, they can be mild and non-specific, easily mistaken for other conditions, or may not manifest until weeks or even months after infection. For instance, women might experience unusual vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods, or painful urination. Men might notice discharge from the penis, painful urination, or testicular pain.
Another factor contributing to undetected infections is the “testing window.” This is the period between potential exposure and when a test can accurately detect the infection. For chlamydia, this window period is 2 to 14 days, meaning a recent infection might not show up immediately on a test. Testing too soon after exposure can result in a false negative, where the infection is present but not yet detectable.
Navigating a Diagnosis When Partners Seem “Clean”
The asymptomatic nature of chlamydia and its testing window can create a scenario where one or both partners genuinely believe they are uninfected. A person could have been carrying the infection for an extended period without knowing, potentially from a past sexual encounter. Therefore, a new diagnosis does not automatically indicate recent infidelity in a committed relationship.
It is important to consider the sexual history of both partners, including previous relationships. An infection acquired from a partner many months or even years ago might only be detected now due to routine screening or the onset of subtle symptoms. Re-infection is also common; even after successful treatment, an individual can contract chlamydia again if they have unprotected sex with an infected partner. This can occur if a previous partner was not treated, or if there was a new exposure.
The probability of transmission per sexual act is not 100%, meaning a person will not contract chlamydia every time they have sex with an infected individual. This variability means that even in long-term relationships, an infection might have been present but not transmitted or detected until recently.
Path to Treatment and Open Communication
Upon a chlamydia diagnosis, prompt and complete treatment for both partners is essential, even if only one initially tested positive. Chlamydia is a curable bacterial infection, typically treated with antibiotics such as a single dose of azithromycin or a 7-day course of doxycycline. It is important to complete the entire course of medication as prescribed.
Open and honest communication between partners regarding sexual health and history is crucial. Partners from the last 60 days should be informed so they can also be tested and treated, which helps prevent reinfection and further spread. Abstinence from sexual activity is recommended for at least seven days after both partners have completed treatment to avoid reinfection.
Retesting after treatment is often advised to confirm the infection has cleared and to detect any potential reinfections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends retesting approximately three months after completing treatment, regardless of whether partners were believed to be treated. This retesting helps to ensure the infection is gone and reduces the risk of long-term complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease in women. Consistent and correct use of condoms during sexual activity is also an effective strategy to reduce the risk of future infections.