Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Canada. It is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through sexual contact. The tricky part is that most people who have chlamydia have no symptoms at all. This means many Canadians are living with it — and spreading it — without knowing. Understanding chlamydia is the first step toward protecting your health and your partner’s health.
What Is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that spreads through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person. It can infect the urethra in both men and women. In women, it can also affect the cervix and upper reproductive organs. In addition, chlamydia can infect the rectum and the surface of the eyes.
According to Health Canada, chlamydia is the most commonly reported STI in the country. Young people between the ages of 15 and 29 are at the highest risk. However, anyone who is sexually active can get chlamydia, regardless of age or gender.
A pregnant woman with chlamydia can pass the infection to her baby during childbirth. Between 50 and 70 percent of babies born to infected mothers will become infected. These newborns can develop infections in their eyes, rectum, vagina, or throat. As a result, between 30 and 40 percent of these babies may develop complications such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or pneumonia.
Causes and How Chlamydia Spreads
Chlamydia spreads through direct sexual contact with an infected partner. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex. You do not need to have penetrative sex to get chlamydia — close genital contact is enough in some cases.
The infection can be present even when there are no symptoms. Furthermore, a person can spread chlamydia to their partner until they have been fully treated. This is why testing and treatment are so important, even if you feel completely fine.
Chlamydia does not spread through casual contact. You cannot get it from toilet seats, doorknobs, or sharing food and drinks. It only spreads through sexual activity or from mother to baby during birth.
Chlamydia Risk Factors
Certain behaviours and situations increase the risk of getting chlamydia. Knowing your risk factors helps you make informed decisions about your sexual health.
Risk factors include:
Having unprotected sex without a condom
Having more than one sexual partner
Having a partner who has multiple sexual partners
Starting sexual activity before the age of 18
Having a weakened immune system
A previous history of STIs
It is also important to note that chlamydia increases your risk of contracting HIV if you are exposed to it. This is because the infection causes inflammation that makes it easier for HIV to enter the body.
If a child is diagnosed with chlamydia, a healthcare provider must assess the situation carefully. This includes ruling out the possibility of sexual abuse. Any child with this diagnosis deserves prompt medical attention and specialist care.
Chlamydia Symptoms in Women and Men
Up to 90 percent of people with chlamydia have no symptoms at all. This is why chlamydia is often called a “silent” infection. When symptoms do appear, they usually show up one to three weeks after exposure. However, the incubation period can range from a few days to several months.
Chlamydia Symptoms in Women
Women with chlamydia symptoms may notice the following:
Burning or pain when urinating (dysuria)
Cloudy urine
Unusual vaginal discharge
Bleeding between periods
Genital itching
Irregular or painful periods
Lower abdominal pain
Fever and fatigue
Swelling of the Bartholin glands (glands near the vaginal opening)
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Chlamydia Symptoms in Men
Men with chlamydia symptoms may experience:
Burning or discomfort when urinating — often the first sign
Cloudy urine
Watery or thick discharge from the penis
Crusting on the tip of the penis
Sensitivity in the anus or scrotum
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Because symptoms are so often absent, routine STI testing is the only reliable way to know if you have chlamydia. Many provincial health plans across Canada cover STI testing. Talk to your family doctor or visit a walk-in clinic to ask about getting tested.
Complications of Untreated Chlamydia
Chlamydia is easy to treat when caught early. However, if left untreated, it can cause serious long-term health problems — especially in women.
In women, untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It can cause chronic pelvic pain, and in some cases, it can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus), which is a medical emergency.
In men, untreated chlamydia can cause epididymitis — an inflammation of the tube that carries sperm. This can lead to pain, swelling, and in rare cases, fertility problems.
In addition, having chlamydia raises your risk of getting HIV if you are exposed to it. This makes early testing and treatment even more important for your overall health.
It is also worth knowing that being treated for chlamydia does not protect you from getting it again. A new exposure to the bacteria will cause a new infection, even if you were fully treated before. Therefore, regular testing is essential if you have multiple partners or change partners.
For more information on the complications of untreated STIs, visit the Mayo Clinic’s chlamydia overview.
How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed?
Chlamydia is diagnosed through a medical history review, a physical exam, and laboratory tests. Testing is straightforward, affordable, and widely available across Canada.
Your doctor may use one of the following tests:
Urine test: A simple urine sample is the most common method.
Swab test: A swab is taken from the cervix (in women), urethra, rectum, or throat depending on the type of sexual contact.
Eye swab: Used if there is a risk of eye infection.
Most provincial health plans in Canada cover chlamydia testing. You can get tested through your family doctor, a walk-in clinic, or a sexual health centre. Results typically come back within a few days.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends regular STI screening for sexually active people, especially those under 25 or those with multiple partners.
Chlamydia Treatment
The good news is that chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics. Your doctor will usually prescribe either a single dose of azithromycin or a one-week course of doxycycline. Both are highly effective when taken as directed.
It is important to finish the full course of antibiotics, even if you feel better quickly. You should also avoid sexual contact until you and your partner or partners have completed treatment. This prevents you from passing the infection back and forth.
Your sexual partners need to be informed and tested as well. Many sexual health centres and public health units in Canada offer partner notification services to help with this process confidentially.
After treatment, your doctor may recommend a follow-up test in about three months. This checks that the infection is gone and screens for any new exposure. Remember, getting treated once does not make you immune. You can get chlamydia again.
When to See a Doctor
You should see a doctor or visit a walk-in clinic right away if you notice any of the following urgent symptoms.
Urgent Symptoms in Women
Sudden, severe pain in the lower abdomen
Lower abdominal pain with vaginal bleeding or discharge and a fever of 37.8°C or higher
Painful or frequent urination, or inability to urinate, along with a fever of 37.8°C or higher
Urgent Symptoms in Men
Discharge from the penis along with a fever of 37.8°C or higher
Painful or frequent urination, or inability to urinate, along with a fever of 37.8°C or higher
Pain, swelling, or tenderness in the scrotum with a fever of 37.8°C or higher
Non-Urgent Symptoms to Discuss with Your Doctor
You should also book an appointment with your family doctor or walk-in clinic if you notice any of the following:
Yellow, thick, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Bleeding between periods more than once in a regular cycle
Pain during sex or bleeding after sex
Swelling, bumps, itching, or sores around the genital or anal area
Burning or pain when urinating lasting more than 24 hours
Unusual discharge from the penis
Any concern that you may have been exposed to an STI
You do not need a referral to get tested for chlamydia in Canada. Your family doctor is a great place to start, but walk-in clinics and sexual health centres are equally equipped to help. Many Canadians feel more comfortable seeking STI testing at a walk-in clinic or a dedicated sexual health centre, and that is perfectly fine. What matters most is that you get tested.
It is always a good idea to keep your family doctor informed about your sexual health, however. This allows them to provide better overall care and follow up appropriately over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chlamydia
Can you have chlamydia without knowing it?
Yes. Up to 90 percent of people with chlamydia have no symptoms at all. This is why chlamydia is often called a silent infection. The only way to know for sure is to get tested through your family doctor, walk-in clinic, or a sexual health centre.
How soon should you get tested after a possible chlamydia exposure?
You should get tested for chlamydia about one to two weeks after a possible exposure. Testing too early may miss the infection because it takes time for the bacteria to be detectable. Your doctor may recommend a follow-up test as well to confirm results.
Is chlamydia testing covered by provincial health plans in Canada?
In most Canadian provinces, chlamydia testing is covered under provincial health insurance plans. You can get tested through your family doctor, a walk-in clinic, or a public health sexual health centre at little or no cost. Check with your provincial health authority for details specific to your province.
Can chlamydia go away on its own without treatment?
Chlamydia does not reliably go away on its own. Without antibiotic treatment, the infection can persist and lead to serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease or fertility problems. It is important to see a doctor and complete a full course of antibiotics if you test positive.
Can you get chlamydia again after being treated?
Yes, you can get chlamydia again after treatment. Being treated does not make you immune to future infection. If you are exposed to chlamydia again, you will be re-infected, which is why regular STI testing and using condoms consistently are so important.
Does chlamydia affect fertility?
Untreated chlamydia can affect fertility, particularly in women. If the infection spreads to the fallopian tubes, it can cause scarring that leads to infertility or increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy. In men, untreated chlamydia can sometimes affect sperm-carrying tubes, though this is less common. Early treatment greatly reduces these risks.
Key Takeaways
Chlamydia is common and often silent. Most people have no symptoms, so regular testing is the only way to know your status. It spreads through sexual contact. Vaginal, anal, and oral sex can all transmit chlamydia. Testing is easy and widely available in Canada. Your family doctor, walk-in clinic, or local sexual health centre can test you, often at no cost under your provincial health plan. Treatment is simple and effective. A short course of antibiotics clears the infection when caught early. Untreated chlamydia causes serious harm. It can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and increased HIV risk. You can get it again. Treatment does not protect you from future infection. Use condoms consistently and get tested regularly. Always talk to a healthcare provider if you think you may have been exposed to chlamydia or any other STI.
