What is chlamydia and gonorrhea

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are sexually transmitted bacterial infections. A person can contract one of these infections if they have unprotected sexual contact with someone who has it. It can be hard to tell the difference between the two, as the symptoms can be similar. In , chlamydia had a rate of Gonorrhea had a rate of cases per , people. This article will look at how a person can tell the difference between chlamydia and gonorrhea, and what they can do if they notice any symptoms.

According to the CDC , some males, and most females, with gonorrhea may not experience any symptoms at all. The same goes for chlamydia. If a person does experience symptoms, they might not appear for several weeks.

As the symptoms can be similar and may overlap, it is important for a doctor to test for the infections before prescribing any treatment. For example, females may experience a burning sensation during urination and abnormal or increased discharge from the vagina. A person can also experience chlamydia and gonorrhea in the throat. Most oral infections of this nature will have no symptoms, but a person may experience a sore throat. For males, both chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause penile discharge.

If gonorrhea is the cause, the discharge may be yellow, green, or white. If a person experiences gonorrhea in the rectum, they may experience anal itching and painful bowel movements.

According to the CDC, there are three steps a person should take after receiving a diagnosis of one of these infections:. The doctor will collect bodily fluids to test for the infection. The content here can be syndicated added to your web site. Print version pdf icon. Chlamydia is a common STD that can infect both men and women.

This can make it difficult or impossible for her to get pregnant later on. Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy pregnancy that occurs outside the womb. This can happen if you have unprotected sex with someone who has chlamydia. If you are pregnant, you can give chlamydia to your baby during childbirth. If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting chlamydia:. Anyone who has sex can get chlamydia through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

However, sexually active young people are at a higher risk of getting chlamydia. This is due to behaviors and biological factors common among young people. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are also at risk since chlamydia can spread through oral and anal sex. Have an honest and open talk with your health care provider. Ask whether you should be tested for chlamydia or other STDs. If you are a sexually active woman younger than 25 years, you should get a test for chlamydia every year.

If you are an older woman with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has an STD, you should get a test for chlamydia every year. A cohort study of 1, women with laparoscopically verified disease and control women with normal laparoscopic results. Chlamydia trachomatis infection during pregnancy associated with preterm delivery: a population-based prospective cohort study. European journal of epidemiology ; Chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis: hidden in plain sight?

From epidemiological synergy to public health policy and practice: the contribution of other sexually transmitted diseases to sexual transmission of HIV infection. Sexually transmitted infections ; Comparison of ophthalmic silver nitrate solution and erythromycin ointment for prevention of natally acquired Chlamydia trachomatis.

Chen JY. Prophylaxis of ophthalmia neonatorum: comparison of silver nitrate, tetracycline, erythromycin and no prophylaxis. The Pediatric infectious disease journal ; A controlled trial of povidone-iodine as prophylaxis against ophthalmia neonatorum.

Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, Prevention of pelvic inflammatory disease by screening for cervical chlamydial infection. Laboratory Diagnostic Testing for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Expert Consultation Meeting Summary Report. January , Atlanta, GA. Vaginal swabs are the specimens of choice when screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae : results from a multicenter evaluation of the APTIMA assays for both infections.

Acceptability of chlamydia screening using self-taken vaginal swabs. Nucleic acid amplification tests for diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis rectal infections.

Journal of clinical microbiology ; Asymptomatic gonorrhea and chlamydial infections detected by nucleic acid amplification tests among Boston area men who have sex with men. Nucleic acid amplification tests in the diagnosis of chlamydial and gonococcal infections of the oropharynx and rectum in men who have sex with men.

Repeat infection with Chlamydia and gonorrhea among females: a systematic review of the literature. Recurrent chlamydial infections increase the risks of hospitalization for ectopic pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Births and ectopic pregnancies in a large cohort of women tested for Chlamydia trachomatis. Improved effectiveness of partner notification for patients with sexually transmitted infections: systematic review. BMJ Clinical research ed ; Effectiveness of condoms in preventing sexually transmitted infections.

Bulletin of the World Health Organization ; Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. Basic Fact Sheet Detailed Version Detailed fact sheets are intended for physicians and individuals with specific questions about sexually transmitted diseases. STDs Home Page. See Also Pregnancy Reproductive Health.

Find an STD testing site near you. ZIP Code:. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.

You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. See some examples and descriptions. Information on sexually transmitted infections specifically for women. Read about gender specific symptoms, prevention and tests. Is there more to sex than pleasure? Read on to find out how sex can boost your immune system, increase your life expectancy, help you sleep, and more….

Practicing safe sex is crucial to the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Learn more. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.

Chlamydia pictures. Chlamydia causes. How common is chlamydia? Chlamydia symptoms in men. Chlamydia symptoms in women. Chlamydia treatment. Home remedies for chlamydia. Chlamydia test. Chlamydia untreated. Chlamydia in throat. Chlamydia in eye. Chlamydia and gonorrhea. Chlamydia prevention. Read this next. What Causes Chlamydia? Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Why Are My Testicles Itchy? Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph.