Chlamydia Prevention

Chlamydia is the most frequently reported sexually transmitted disease (STD), especially among young adults and teenagers. However, most people who are infected do not know that they have the disease, because they may not have any symptoms.

It is known as a "silent" disease because about three quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure. By this time the disease has often been spread.

To reduce your chances of becoming infected, avoid risky sexual behaviour and protect yourself. For example, there following things will lower your risk for getting this disease (and other STDs):

� Don�t have sex. The best way to prevent chlamydia or any STD is to practice abstinence, or not having any type of sex including vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

� Be faithful. Have a sexual relationship with only one partner who is true to you and has been tested for chlamydia and is not infected. This is another way to reduce your chances of getting infected. Long-term mutually monogamous relationships with a partner tested and known to be uninfected are the safest sexual relationships to have.

� You must use condoms every time you have sex. Condoms reduce the risk of passing or receiving the infection, so protect yourself with a condom EVERY time you have any type of sex. Condoms should be used for any type of sex with every partner.

� You must take into account that some methods of birth control, like birth control pills, birth control injections, implants, or diaphragms, will not protect you from contracting a sexually transmitted disease. If you do use any of these methods of birth control, ensure you also use a latex condom or dental dam every time you have sex.

� Talk with honesty to your sex partner(s) about STDs and using condoms. It is up to you to make sure that you are protected. Remember, it is your body.

� Talk frankly with health care professionals and your sex partner(s) about any STDs you or your partner have experienced, don't lie about them and try not to be embarrassed. Being honest could save your lives, or at the very least, prevent either you or your partners developing serious complications.

� Learn the symptoms of the disease and other STDs, and remember chlamydia often has no symptoms. Seek medical help right away if you think you may have chlamydia or another STD.

� Use condoms at all times, and remember to get yourselves checked out before you stop using them for STDs. � If you have any worries or concerns, act on them and get yourself checked out.

� Make sure your friends have heard about the chlamydia infection and its consequences. Encourage them to get a check-up if they think they may be at risk.