What should teens know about chlamydia?
If it’s not treated, chlamydia can lead to: in girls: pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can damage the reproductive system. in guys: swelling in the testicles and tubes at the back of the testicles. infertility: trouble getting pregnant (for girls) or getting someone pregnant (for guys)
Can a teenager get chlamydia?
July 13, 2005 — Chlamydia, America’s most common sexually transmitted disease, is most often seen in teens and young adults, report CDC researchers. Teen girls had the highest number of cases.
How many sexually active teenagers are affected by chlamydia?
Approximately 19 million new sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) occur each year in the United States; almost half are among young adults aged 15 to 24 years(1). The U.S. prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis is 4.2% in young adults with the greatest number of cases (325,000) affecting women under 20 years of age (2).
What happens if a girl gets chlamydia?
In women, untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Some of the complications of PID are: Formation of scar tissue that blocks fallopian tubes ; Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb );
Can you get chlamydia by sitting on a toilet seat?
Chlamydia is an organism that has very specific requirements that allow it to exist in the cervix, urethra, and fallopian tube. (It also can also infect the cornea of the eye.) Because of these specific requirements, chlamydia cannot live outside the body, such as on toilet seats, bath towels or bed linens.
How long does chlamydia last?
How long does chlamydia last? With treatment, chlamydia should go away within a week or two. It’s important to take all antibiotics to fight the infection. Don’t have sex during treatment, or you could get reinfected.
Can a 14 year old have STD?
You may have heard of sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, HIV, and others. STDs are super common — most people will get one at some point in their life. And young people between the ages of 15-24 have a higher chance of getting an STD than anyone else.
Why are STDs so common in teens?
Young people are at greater risk of getting an STD for several reasons: Young women’s bodies are biologically more prone to STDs. Some young people do not get the recommended STD tests. Many young people are hesitant to talk openly and honestly with a doctor or nurse about their sex lives.
How many years can chlamydia lie dormant?
Although some symptoms can appear within weeks of contact, there have been reports of chlamydia remaining dormant for over twenty years. If you have had recent sexual contact and wonder about chlamydia infections, don’t hesitate to test. Listen to your body.
Is chlamydia very serious?
Although chlamydia does not usually cause any symptoms and can normally be treated with a short course of antibiotics, it can be serious if it’s not treated early on. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of your body and lead to long-term health problems, especially in women.