chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common infection caused by a germ (Chlamydia trachoma) spread by unprotected sexual intercourse. If one partner is infected, the germ can be passed between a man and a woman or between a man and another man. Rarely, the germ can be passed from an infected mother to her baby as it passes down the birth canal.

You can only get Chlamydia by having sex with an infected partner.. Practising safer sex and using a condom with your partner reduces the risk. Reducing the number of partners you have sex with also reduces the risk of being infected. Most people don't have any symptoms, but it can cause:

Men:

• pain when you pee
• discharge from the penis
• swollen or painful testicle

Women:

• vaginal discharge
• abdominal pain
• irregular bleeding

Chlamydia is easy to treat with antibiotics. If you're worried visit your local sexual health clinic, GP surgery or visit your local pharmacist who can provide testing and treatment. To download an information leaflet on Chlamydia click here.

For further information on Chlamydia visit: www.healthscotland.com