Reducing Your Risk of Chlamydia
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You can prevent chlamydial STDs by taking the following measures:
- Abstain from sex.
- Have a mutually monogamous, lifelong relationship.
You can reduce your risk of acquiring STDs or developing their long-term consequences by taking the following measures:
- Always use a latex condom throughout sexual activity and according to directions.
- Get checked regularly for sexually transmitted diseases, especially if you are under the age of 25.
- Get immunization for preventable sexually transmitted disease. There is not yet a vaccine for chlamydia.
Other barrier methods of contraception, such as a diaphragm, may partially protect against chlamydial infection, but these methods are not even as reliable as a condom .
If you already have chlamydia, you can prevent its transmission by:
- Making sure that all sexual partners are tested and treated.
- Refraining from sexual activity until your infection is gone.
You can reduce your risk of getting infected again by helping your partner to get treatment. This may involve giving information on testing, bringing home a test kit, or giving medication from your doctor. *
Other forms of chlamydia may be prevented by avoiding close contact with birds in endemic areas and by getting regular prenatal check-ups, including testing for STDs. Every newborn is routinely treated to prevent neonatal infection from either chlamydia or gonorrhea .
References
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Psittacosis. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety website. Available at: http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/psittacosis.html . Accessed September 18, 2008.
Canadian Paediatric Society. Recommendations for the prevention of neonatal ophthalmia. Canadian Paediatric Society website. Available at: http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/ID/ID02-03.htm . Updated March 2008. Accessed September 18, 2008.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases: chlamydia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/default.htm . Accessed September 18, 2008.
Golden MR, Whittington WL, Handsfield HH, et al. Effect of expedited treatment of sex partners on recurrent or persistent gonorrhea or chlamydial infection. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:676-685.
International Trachoma Initiative website. Available at: http://www.trachoma.org/ . Accessed September 18, 2008.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Chlamydia. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases website. Available at: http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/chlamydia/ . Accessed September 18, 2008.
National Women's Health Organization. Chlamydia. National Women's Health Organization website. Available at: http://www.4women.gov/faq/stdchlam.htm . Updated May 2005. Accessed September 18, 2008.
2/15/2007 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Trelle S, Shang A, Nartey L, Cassell JA, Low N. Improved effectiveness of partner notification for patients with sexually transmitted infections: systematic review. BMJ. 2007 Jan 19. [Epub ahead of print].
Last reviewed September 2010 by Lawrence Frisch, MD, MPH
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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