Signs & Symptoms

Cause & Statistics

Males:

The cause of Chlamydia

- Clear discharge from the penis

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, caused by a type

of bacteria named Chlamydia trachomatis

- (Burning) pain when urinating

- Irritation or soreness around the urethra
Females:
- Bleeding between periods/after sex
- (Burning) pain when urinating
- Pelvic pain/Lower belly pain
- Unusual vaginal discharge

Statistics in Australia
- Chlamydia is the most common STI among young
people in Australia
- In 2012, Chlamydia was the most frequently
reported STI in Australia with 82,707 new cases
(355 cases/100,000 population)
- 81% of reported cases in Australia are from 15-24
year olds

- Unusual bleeding/spotting from the vagina

Most people do not experience immediate symptoms,

and Chlamydia may not always show symptoms, but if
you are experiencing any of the above signs, go to your
local GP or clinic and get tested to see if you have
contracted Chlamydia.
If left untreated, Chlamydia can have the following
repercussions:
Females:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Chronic pelvic pain & infertility
Males:
- Longer-term infection of the testicles

Reported cases of Chlamydia in Australia, 2001-2011,

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2012)

Chlamydia
In this pamphlet, you can find all the basic information
on Chlamydia, as well as how it can be treated and
cured, and where to go for more information on
Chlamydia and STIs

How is Chlamydia spread?

How can Chlamydia be cured?

Further Resources

Chlamydia can be spread through the sexual fluids

passing during oral, vaginal and anal sex.

Chlamydia is easily treatable with antibiotics, which you

can get from your local clinic or GP.

A simple and effective way to prevent contracting

Chlamydia is to use a condom with a water-based
lubricant during sex

Sex should be avoided until the full course of antibiotic

treatment is finished, and for at least a week following (It
this in unavoidable, at least use a condom during sex)

To gather more information on Chlamydia (and other

STIs), you can go to your PDH teachers, local GP or
family doctor, a clinic, or the following health sites:

Alert any and all sexual partners from at least the past
six months and let them know about the STI, so that
they can be tested and treated if needed.
To assist in preventing or early detection of future STIs,
have regular STI check-ups at your doctor around every
three months.

- https://playsafe.health.nsw.gov.au/zipper
- http://www.shil.nsw.gov.au
- http://www.sshc.org.au/
- http://www.sti.health.gove.au/internet/sti/publishing.n
sf/Content/Home

To be tested, males are able to get a urine test, and

females are able to have a vaginal swab test.

Sources Used
-

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012, Australian

Social Trends, cat. no. 4102.0, ABS, Canberra,
accessed 2 June 2016,
<http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/L
ookup/4102.0Main+Features10Jun+2012>.

Department of Health n.d., Chlamydia, Australian

Government, Canberra, accessed 2 June 2016,
<http://www.sti.health.gov.au/internet/sti/publishi
ng.nsf/Content/Chlamydia>.

NSW Health 2016, Chlamydia, NSW

Government, accessed 2 June 2016,
<https://playsafe.health.nsw.gov.au/sti/chlamydia
>.