Chlamydia Myths

  • The Myth

    Most people with chlamydia will have some symptom alerting them to the infection.

    The Reality

    Chlamydia is known as a "silent disease" because up to 75% of infected women and up to 50% of infected men have no symptoms.

  • The Myth

    Only 15% of women with untreated chlamydia may develop pelvic inflammatory disease.

    The Reality

    Up to 40% of women with untreated chlamydia may develop pelvic inflammatory disease.

  • The Myth

    Chlamydia is one of the STDs that cannot be treated or cured with antibiotics.

    The Reality

    False - chlamydia can be treated and cured with antibiotics.

  • The Myth

    Having a burning sensation when urinating is not a huge cause for alarm. It could just be a minor infection.

    The Reality

    Any genital signs or symptoms or burning during urination or having an unusual sore or rash is a signal to stop having sex and to consult with a health care provider immediately.

  • The Myth

    One in twenty adolescent girls tested for chlamydia is infected.

    The Reality

    One in ten adolescent girls tested for chlamydia is infected.

  • The Myth

    Kissing is the primary means by which someone can get infected with chlamydia.

    The Reality

    Mouth to mouth contact is not a primary means of transmitting chlamydia between sexually active men and women with an infected partner.

  • The Myth

    If I have an STD, I will recognize the symptoms immediately.

    The Reality

    In most women (and some men), there are often virtually NO symptoms of STDs. Not only can a partner not tell if a woman or man has an STD, the person with the STD often doesn't know.