Chlamydia: Q & A

Q: How common is chlamydia?
A: Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States. In 2004, 929,462 chlamydial infections were reported to the CDC from 50 states and the District of Columbia. Under-reporting is substantial because most people with chlamydia are not aware of their infections and do not seek testing. Also, testing is not often done if patients are treated for their symptoms. An estimated 2.8 million Americans are infected with chlamydia each year.

Q: Does your partner need to be treated too?
A: Women are frequently re-infected if their sex partners are not treated.

Q: How do you get infected with chlamydia?
A: Any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. The greater the number of sex partners, the greater the risk of infection. Because the cervix (opening to the uterus) of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured, they are at particularly high risk for infection if sexually active. Since chlamydia can be transmitted by oral or anal sex, men who have sex with men are also at risk for chlamydial infection.

Q: Need more information?
A: You can find out more about chlamydia by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center (800-994-9662) or on the internet at www.cdc.gov.

(www.cdc.gov)