by Polsdorfer R

Chlamydia is cured with antibiotics. It is important to follow treatment guidelines to make sure the infection has been cleared:

  • Both you and your partner need to be treated. If your partner is infected or exposed you will become reinfected.
  • Wait at least 7 days before you have sex again.
  • All of the medication must be taken as directed.
  • Return to your doctor for retesting to make sure the infection is gone.

If your partner refuses to get medical attention, your doctor may be able to prescribe medication for them. This way your partner can be treated without needing to seek medical attention.

Reinfection is common. If you still have symptoms after the medication is finished, you may need to be tested again, generally within a few weeks. Even if your symptoms disappear, you are encouraged to return 3 months after treatment is completed to be retested. Pregnant women should return for follow-up testing at 3 weeks and 3 months after medications are completed.

Treatment for chlamydia involves:

MedicationsLifestyle changes

References

Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/default.htm. Accessed January 29, 2021.

Chlamydia—CDC fact sheet (detailed). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/STDFact-chlamydia-detailed.htm. Accessed January 29, 2021.

Chlamydia genital infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:  https://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114223/Chlamydia-genital-infection  . Accessed January 29, 2021.

Expedited partner therapy for sexually transmitted infections. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:  https://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114223/Chlamydia-genital-infection  . Accessed January 29, 2021.

Mishori R, McClaskey EL, WinklerPrins VJ. Chlamydia trachomatis infections: Screening, diagnosis, and management. Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(12):1127-1132.

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