In Quebec, chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI, but it’s often misunderstood. Many misconceptions still circulate (hello, toilet seat rumors!), making it hard to separate fact from fiction. Understanding this infection and its realities is key to protecting yourself and your partners.
Chlamydia Overview
Chlamydia remains the most common bacterial STI in Quebec. In 2022, according to the Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 58% of cases involved women. Young people aged 15 to 24 accounted for 52% of diagnoses.
Symptoms (or Lack Thereof)
Chlamydia often goes unnoticed: up to 70% of people show no symptoms.When symptoms do appear, they usually show 2 to 3 weeks after exposure, but sometimes as late as 6 weeks.
If symptoms occur, they depend on the area affected and may include:
- Genital tract: Genital area: burning during urination or sex, urethral itching, unusual discharge or odors, irregular vaginal bleeding, testicular pain or swelling
- Throat: throat discomfort
- Rectum : abnormal secretions, pain or cramps, bleeding, ulcerations
- Eye: redness, pain, discharge, itching
The good news is that chlamydia is generally easy to treat with antibiotics. People diagnosed with chlamydia should notify their sexual partners as soon as possible. This not only helps prevent reinfection with untreated partners but also allows partners to get tested, receive appropriate treatment, and avoid complications. Notifying partners also helps limit the spread of the infection.
When the Infection Causes Complications
Chlamydia can lead to complications, even without symptoms. In women, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which increases the risk of infertility or ectopic pregnancy. In men, it can cause inflammation of the testicles or prostate, affecting fertility. The infection can also cause chronic abdominal pain or reactive arthritis, a condition that causes joint pain. It is important to note that chlamydia increases the risk of contracting or transmitting HIV.
Chlamydia: Myth or Reality?
There are many things people say about chlamydia. Some true, some completely false. And let’s face it, asking questions directly can feel awkward. Yet these are doubts that many people share. Let’s separate fact from fiction.
Can You Catch Chlamydia from a Toilet Seat?
No. Chlamydia needs certain parts of the body (like the cervix, urethra, or throat) to survive. On a toilet seat, the bacteria die quickly. Even if an infected person used it just before you, there is no real risk: chlamydia does not survive on a seat or on the skin that touches it.
Can You Get Chlamydia from Gym Equipment?
No. Like a toilet seat, chlamydia cannot survive on dry surfaces such as a rowing machine, weight bench, or dumbbells. Also, the skin that touches the equipment is not a suitable environment for the bacteria.
Can You Get Chlamydia from Drinking from Someone Else’s Glass?
No. Chlamydia cannot be transmitted through sharing a drinking glass, as the necessary conditions for transmission are not met.
Can You Get Chlamydia from a Sex Toy?
Yes. Unlike a toilet seat, glass, or gym equipment, a sextoy is used in a sexual context, which allows infected fluids to remain on the object (dildos, vibrators, anal sleeves, etc.). Micro-tears caused by the toy can also increase the risk of transmission
Sex toys should not be shared, but if they are, the risk can be reduced by using a condom or dental dam on the toy, and changing it between each partner. To learn more about the safe use of sex toys, here is a useful article.
Is Chlamydia Treatment Free in Quebec?
Oui, le traitement antibiotique pour la chlamydia est gratuit au Québec pour les personnes infectées et leurs partenaires sexuel·les, grâce au programme de gratuité des médicaments pour les ITS offert par la RAMQ. Pour obtenir les médicaments, vous devez d’abord consulter un·e professionnel·le de la santé pour obtenir une ordonnance, puis la présenter avec votre carte d’assurance maladie valide à votre pharmacien·ne.
Can You Get Chlamydia Through Oral Sex?
Yes, chlamydia can be transmitted during oral sex. The infection can spread when a person with chlamydia in their mouth or throat performs oral sex on another person, or when someone performs oral sex on a person who has chlamydia in their genitals or anus. Chlamydia is easily transmitted through oral-penile contact (mouth on penis) without a condom. It can also be transmitted through oral-vaginal or oral-anal contact (anilingus or rimming) if a dental dam is not used, although this route of transmission is less common. rimming) si une digue dentaire n’est pas utilisée, quoique cette voie de transmission soit moins fréquente.
At Prelib, we offer a self-administered, discreet test to tested for chlamydia in the throat using a cotton swab, and antibiotics are effective if the test is positive.
Can You Transmit Chlamydia if You Have No Symptoms?
Yes. Chlamydia can be transmitted even without symptoms. The infection is present in the body and can spread during sexual activity, which is why regular testing is crucial to protect yourself and your partners.
Est-ce qu’on peut contracter la chlamydia dans l’œil?
Yes. Chlamydia can infect the eye, causing conjunctivitis, typically through direct contact with infected genital fluids or unwashed hands. Symptoms include redness, pain, discharge, and itching. Antibiotics are effective, and the infection usually resolves within weeks.
Can Chlamydia Cause Infertility?
Yes, in rare cases, untreated chlamydia can cause infertility in both women and men. In women, it can develop into pelvic inflammatory disease, causing damage to the fallopian tubes and increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancies or infertility. In men, it can cause inflammation of the prostate or testicles, which can also affect fertility. These complications do not appear overnight: they can take months or even years to develop. That is why regular screening and prompt treatment are essential to avoid these long-term consequences.
Can You Get Chlamydia More Than Once?
Yes. It is possible to get chlamydia multiple times because the body does not develop permanent immunity. Reinfection can occur if you have unprotected sex with an infected partner or if partners are not treated simultaneously. Regular testing and abstaining from sex until treatment is completed are crucial.
Are Chlamydia Tests Complicated or Painful?
No. Chlamydia tests are simple and painless. They usually involve a urine sample and swabs from exposed areas (vagina, anus, throat).
Do You Need Symptoms to Get Tested?
No. You don’t need symptoms to get tested. Most chlamydia cases are asymptomatic but can have long-term consequences if untreated. Regular tested is important for this reason.
Should You Wait to Get Tested After Exposure?
No, after a risky situation, it is recommended to get tested quickly for chlamydia, but also for other STIs depending on the context. However, the window period window period must be taken into account : the time during which the infection is present but may not be detectable. For chlamydia, this period is about 14 days. A test done two weeks after exposure is much more reliable.
Filling out the medical questionnaire thoroughly ensures you receive the right tests and optimal follow-up.
