Chlamydia & Gonorrhea
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are infections that are transmitted in similar ways and share common symptoms. Let’s take a closer look at these two closely related STDs.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are infections that are transmitted in similar ways and share common symptoms. Let’s take a closer look at these two closely related STDs.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are infections that are transmitted in similar ways and share common symptoms. Let’s take a closer look at these two closely related STDs.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial infections spread through sexual contact— including anal, oral, or vaginal sex—as well as contact that doesn’t involve penetration. Both STDs commonly appear in the throat, anus, penis, or vagina.
What are the symptoms?
Most people who have chlamydia or gonorrhea don’t show any symptoms—and if they do, the symptoms can appear either very quickly or within a few weeks.
But—and this is important—you don’t need to show symptoms to pass on chlamydia or gonorrhea. You also don’t need to show symptoms to get tested.
The list of symptoms for the two STDs chlamydia and gonorrhea are similar. Here are just a few:
If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away to get tested and treated.
How do I get tested?
There is no reliable blood test that can detect the presence of chlamydia or gonorrhea, which means samples must be taken from the parts of your body that you have sex with. Tell your doctor about every part of your body that may have come in contact with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or any other STD. If you had oral sex, make sure your doctor swabs your throat. If you bottomed for anal sex, that means a swab of your anus—and so on. Although there is a swab test for the penis, your doctor will most likely test a sample of urine. However, urine tests do not detect infection of chlamydia or gonorrhea in your throat or anus.
To be absolutely certain, ask your doctor about 3-site testing, which uses samples from your throat, penis, and anus to test for STDs.
When should I get tested?
Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing is often performed together, since people who have one infection often test positive for the other. Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea can be performed soon after suspected exposure, yet the most accurate test results are generally two to three weeks after exposure.
Is there a cure?
If you test positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to cure the infection. However, antibiotics will not prevent you from getting either (or any other) STD again. In 2023, a new strain of gonorrhea was identified in Massachusetts. This new strain has reduced response to the antibiotics used to treat it. To find out more and to get tested, contact your provider, or go to the Services Locator to find a testing site near you.
And if you do test positive, make sure your partners get tested and treated as well.
What are some ways to prevent chlamydia and gonorrhea?
The only proven way to prevent getting chlamydia or gonorrhea is to abstain from any kind of sexual activity. Since that’s probably unlikely, there are other ways you can reduce the risk of getting or passing on these (and other) STDs.
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