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hlamydia and gonorrhea are very and gonorrhea can also infect other areas Ccommon sexually transmitted of the body, such as the eyes. A pregnant diseases (STDs) that are caused by woman with chlamydia or gonorrhea can . In the , about 3 also pass the diseases to her baby during million people get chlamydia each year, . and about 650,000 people get gonorrhea. Chlamydia and gonorrhea How do you test for it? can infect both men and women. There are two ways to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea. One test uses a sample of How do I know if I have it? urine. Another test uses a swab to collect a Most people with chlamydia (cla-MIH- small amount of fluid from the man’s dee-ah) have no symptoms at all. If penis or the woman’s (the opening people do have symptoms, they usually to the ). Think about it. start within one to three weeks after Who should be tested? sexual contact with someone who carries Talk about it. the germs. Symptoms include pain when You should be tested if you: you urinate and unusual mucus or • are sexually active and under the age Protect yourself coming from the vagina, penis, or anus. of 26. • have had oral, vaginal, or and your partner. People with gonorrhea (gone-o-RHEE-a) without a . will usually have symptoms within 2 to 10 days after being infected. Like • have any symptoms. chlamydia, gonorrhea causes unusual • have any reason to think that you mucus or pus and pain when you may have been exposed to chlamydia urinate. Women can also have and or other STD. chills, pain in the lower belly, and Is there a treatment? irregular menstrual bleeding. Some people can have gonorrhea without Yes. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be showing symptoms. treated and cured with several different . If you are given pills, it is very How do I get infected? important to take all of them. If you don’t Chlamydia and gonorrhea are both take all the pills, the symptoms may go passed by contact with infected semen away, but you may still have the . (cum), vaginal fluids, or rectal discharge Sometimes, your doctor or nurse during vaginal, anal, and . practitioner may want you to come back Gonorrhea can also infect the throat if for another appointment to make sure you perform oral sex on an infected that you are cured. Be sure to keep that partner. A sore throat can be a symptom appointment. of an oral gonorrhea infection, and anal Once you know that you have chlamydia itching or discharge may be symptoms of or gonorrhea, it’s very important to tell a rectal gonorrhea infection. Chlamydia anyone you have had sex with so that they

Regional Health Education

can get treated right away, too. You can What if I’m under 18? How to use a condom become reinfected with chlamydia or If you are between the ages of 12 and 1. When the penis is gonorrhea. You should not have sex until 18, you can be treated for sexually hard, squeeze the both you and your partner have finished transmitted diseases in California tip of the rolled up treatment. without your parents’ permission. condom and place What happens if I don’t California state law requires that Kaiser on the head of the get treated? Permanente must protect your privacy. penis. If you don’t get treated, gonorrhea can 2. Hold the tip and spread into the blood and cause joint How can I protect myself from press air out as you pain, skin sores, or heart damage. Both chlamydia and gonorrhea? unroll completely. (Air bubbles can chlamydia and gonorrhea can spread Whenever you start a new sexual break .) into a woman’s uterus and fallopian relationship, it’s important to talk 3. Use water-based lubrication. tubes, and cause pelvic inflammatory honestly and openly with your partner 4. After ejaculation (“cumming”), hold disease (PID). PID can lead to about whether either one of you might the base of the condom and pull (difficulty getting pregnant), debilitating have a sexually transmitted disease. out while the penis is hard. Move pelvic pain, and life-threatening ecotopic It’s possible to have been infected with away from your partner to remove . Chlamydia or gonorrhea chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, or other the condom in case semen spills can cause problems in men, too. STDs and have no symptoms. Latex out of the condom. Never reuse a These diseases can also cause problems condoms, when used correctly, can help condom. during that may cause eye or to protect you and your partner from lung in the baby, or even many STDs. Other birth control death. Once found, however, chlamydia methods—such as the pill, Depo- Other resources and gonorrhea are usually easily cured. Provera, (Plan • Connect to our Web site at The only way to know for sure if you B), spermicides, and diaphragms—do members.kp.org have chlamydia or gonorrhea is to get not protect you from STDs. • Check your Kaiser Permanente tested. You should see your doctor or Healthwise Handbook. other medical professional right away if Call your doctor or nurse practitioner if • Request a Healthphone Directory you think you’ve been exposed or if you you have symptoms of chlamydia or from your Health Education have any symptoms. gonorrhea or if you just want to be Center or Department and call Should I get tested for tested for STDs. We are here to help 800-332-7563; TTY, 800-777- you. Most medical professionals do tests 9059 to listen to recorded health anything else? based on what you tell them. Talking messages on the Kaiser Permanente It is important to also be tested for other to them honestly about your sex life Healthphone. sexually transmitted diseases, such as will help them to give you the best care • Contact your Kaiser Permanente HIV, , and hepatitis. Talk to your possible. Health Education Center or doctor or nurse practitioner about Department for health informa- getting tested for these diseases, as well. tion, programs, and other resources. • Call the National STD Hotline at 1-800-227-8922.

This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other med- ical professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have further questions, please consult your doctor. If you have questions or need addi- tional information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse any brand names; any similar products may be used. © 2002, The Permanente Medical Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Regional Health Education. 915800020 (Revised 6-05) RL 9.0