Chlamydia Treatment: Points to Remember
Chlamydia treatment is easy, but it's important for you to seek testing and get treatment right away. By doing so, you are taking good care of your reproductive health. If you have chlamydia:
- Get it treated right away. Visit a clinic, doctor, or nurse. Research suggests that having a sexually transmitted disease (STD) increases your risk for getting infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
- Follow your doctor's orders and finish all the medicine you are given. Even if the symptoms go away, you still need to finish all of the medicine.
- Avoid having any sexual activity during chlamydia treatment.
- Tell your sexual partners so that they can be treated, too.
- See your doctor again if your symptoms do not disappear within 1 to 2 weeks after finishing the medicine.
- See your doctor again within 3 to 4 months for chlamydia testing, especially if your sex partner was not treated or if you have a new sex partner.
Doctors, local health departments, and STD and family planning clinics have information about STDs and can give you a test to find out if you have chlamydia. Don't assume your doctor will automatically test you for chlamydia. You can take care of yourself, however, by asking about this disease and requesting the appropriate testing.