Here’s the Who, What, Where, When, and Why low down on this STD
Who:
Every year, almost 4 million American teenagers get an STD (Sexually transmitted disease). If you’ve had sex, you could be infected with one or more STDs, including chlamydia. Both men and women -particularly young men and women can get chlamydia.
What:
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STD. Most infected people, especially women, don’t have symptoms, so they can’t tell they are infected. People get infected by having sexual intercourse.
Where & When:
Where and when you are having sex does not matter. If you are having sex, even without symptoms, you can pass chlamydia to every person you have sex with. When people with chlamydia do have symptoms, the symptoms may include pain when going to the bathroom or a “discharge” coming from the penis or vagina.
Why:
Why get checked for chlamydia? It can be treated with antibiotics. But if you don’t know you’re infected, you won’t be looking for treatment. If you have had sex, get checked. Don’t put it off. If treatment is delayed, infected women can get a pelvic inflammatory disease (a serious complication of chlamydia). PID causes problems now (abdominal pain) and problems later (difficulty getting pregnant or infertility). Why choose abstinence? To avoid being infected with chlamydia and other STD’s of course. Abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only certain way to avoid being infected. If you haven’t had sex, your chances of getting chlamydia are small. Already had sex? Do yourself a favor and get checked out!
How We Can Help
Here at Care Net Frederick, we offer FREE and confidential STD/STI testing!
*Call to set up your free appointment at 301-662-5300 or email us via our website contact page.
The Medical Institute (2008). Chlamydia, get your facts straight [Pamphlet]. (N.P.) Austin, TX.
To see The Medical Institute references, view or purchase this pamphlet, please visit www.medinstitute.org.