Treatment for Chlamydia

Treatment for chlamydia usually consists of antibiotics (such as doxycycline or azithromycin), which generally cure the infection. All sex partners should be evaluated, tested, and receive treatment as well in order to avoid reinfection. People should abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their sex partners have completed treatment for chlamydia, which should be done even if the symptoms go away.

 

Treatment for Chlamydia: An Introduction

Treatment for chlamydia involves antibiotics, either a single dose of azithromycin or a week of doxycycline (twice daily). Treatment for chlamydia with antibiotics usually cures the infection. HIV-positive people with chlamydia can receive the same treatment as those who are HIV negative.
 
All sex partners should be evaluated, tested, and get treatment for chlamydia. People with chlamydia should abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their sex partners have completed treatment; otherwise, reinfection is possible.
 
Women whose sex partners have not been appropriately treated are at high risk for reinfection.
 
Having multiple infections increases a woman's risk of serious reproductive health complications, including infertility. Retesting should be considered for women, especially adolescents, 3 to 4 months after treatment. This is especially true if a woman does not know if her sex partner received treatment for chlamydia.
 

Treatment for Chlamydia: Key Points to Remember

Treatment for chlamydia is easy, but it's important for you to seek testing and 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 of getting infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
     
  • Follow your doctor's orders, and finish all the medicine that you are given. Even if the chlamydia symptoms go away, you still need to finish all of the medicine.
     
  • Avoid having any sexual activity while undergoing treatment for chlamydia.
     
  • Tell your sexual partners so that they can receive chlamydia treatment as well.
     
  • See your doctor if your symptoms do not disappear within 1 to 2 weeks after finishing the medicine.
     
  • See your doctor 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. You can take care of yourself, however, by asking about this disease and requesting the appropriate testing.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD