Chlamydia is a common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI), caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is particularly common among young adults aged 15 to 24. Chlamydia is often referred to as a “silent infection” because most people who contract it do not experience noticeable symptoms. Routine screening is a public health priority because the infection can be easily passed between partners who are unaware they are infected. Understanding how it might present and how to get tested is crucial for sexual health.
Understanding the Typical Appearance of Chlamydia
The search for what Chlamydia “looks like” on a penis can be misleading because the infection rarely causes visually obvious sores, bumps, or rashes, unlike some other STIs. The infection primarily targets the urethra, the tube running through the penis, leading to urethritis. When symptoms occur, they are typically internal or involve a discharge that may be easy to overlook. A common sign is a clear, watery, or sometimes cloudy and mucus-like discharge from the tip of the penis. This discharge may be slight and noticeable only in the morning or when the urethra is “milked”. Other symptoms include a burning or painful sensation when urinating, caused by inflammation in the urethra. If the infection spreads, a man might experience pain, tenderness, or swelling in one or both testicles, a complication known as epididymitis.
The High Likelihood of Having No Symptoms
Up to 50% of men with Chlamydia are completely asymptomatic, meaning the infection can be present and transmissible without producing any visible signs or discomfort. This lack of symptoms allows the bacterium to persist for weeks or months, contributing to its rapid spread through the sexually active population. When left untreated, the bacteria can ascend the genitourinary tract, leading to serious complications. For men, this can result in epididymitis, which involves inflammation of the tube at the back of the testicle. In rare instances, untreated Chlamydia can potentially affect fertility. Untreated Chlamydia also increases the risk of acquiring or transmitting other infections, including HIV.
Getting Tested and Confirmed Diagnosis
Since visual clues are often absent or subtle, a confirmed diagnosis relies entirely on laboratory testing rather than physical examination. The preferred and most accurate method for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis is the Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT). This molecular test is highly sensitive and detects the genetic material of the bacteria, even when the bacterial load is low. For men, the NAAT is most commonly performed using a “first-catch” urine sample. This non-invasive collection method has largely replaced the need for uncomfortable urethral swabs. Swabs may also be taken from the rectum or throat to check for infection at those sites, particularly for men who have receptive anal or oral sex. Healthcare providers recommend routine screening, especially for sexually active men under the age of 25, to catch silent infections early.
Effective Treatment and Preventing Further Spread
Chlamydia is readily cured with a course of antibiotics once a diagnosis is confirmed. The most common regimens involve either a seven-day course of Doxycycline, taken twice daily, or a single, one-gram dose of Azithromycin. Doxycycline is generally the recommended first-line treatment for uncomplicated genital chlamydia due to its higher efficacy against certain strains, particularly those in the rectum. Patients must complete the entire course of medication as prescribed to ensure the infection is fully eradicated. Patients should abstain from all sexual activity for seven days after a single-dose regimen, or until the completion of a seven-day course, and until all sexual partners have also been treated. To prevent reinfection, retesting at three months is encouraged for all individuals to check for a new infection. Notifying and treating all recent sexual partners from the last 60 days is crucial to break the chain of transmission.