Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. Chlamydia can be spread during oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected partner. Both men and women can get it.

Chlamydia usually doesn’t cause symptoms. Those infected might notice a burning feeling when urinating or abnormal discharge from their genitals.

In both men and women, chlamydia can infect the urinary tract. In women, infection of the reproductive system can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause infertility or serious problems with pregnancy. Babies born to infected mothers can get eye infections and pneumonia from chlamydia. In men, chlamydia can infect the epididymis, the tube that carries sperm. This can cause pain, fever, and, rarely, infertility.

A lab test can confirm a chlamydia infection. Antibiotics will cure the infection. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading chlamydia. Experts recommend that sexually active women 25 and younger get a chlamydia test every year.

To decrease the rate of Chlamydia infections in the community, Canton City Public Health (CCPH) will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) treatment guidelines. CCPH will also increase capacity and opportunities for staff education by STI clinic nurses by ensuring that at least one STI training is completed each year, reasearching the possibilbity of implementing Expidited Partner Therapy and also by facilitating at least one community STI education program quarterly.