Sexually transmitted infections
Chlamydia
Caused by a bacterium, chlamydia is one of the most common
sexually transmitted infections in sexually active teens
and young adults. A person contracts chlamydia by having unprotected vaginal
or anal sex with an infected partner.
Most people infected with chlamydia have no symptoms. This is particularly
true in women. A woman may never know she is infected with chlamydia until she
is tested for it or decides to become pregnant and has difficulty trying to conceive
a baby. Similarly, men may also have chlamydia and show no symptoms.
For those who do develop symptoms, these usually appear within two to six
weeks of having unprotected sexual contact with a person infected with chlamydia.
In women, symptoms may include:
- unusual discharge from the vagina
- bleeding or spotting between periods
- bleeding and/or pain during or after sex
- lower abdominal pain, sometimes with fever and chills
- burning during urination (peeing)
In men, symptoms may include:
- watery, milky drip, and/or discharge from the penis
- burning during urination (peeing)
- an itchy feeling inside the penis
- pain or swelling of the testicles
If you suspect you may have chlamydia, ask your doctor or healthcare
professional for a chlamydia urine test. A Pap test,
however, does not test for sexually transmitted infections:
therefore, in females, a swab may be taken.
Chlamydia is usually treated through the prescription of antibiotics taken by
mouth. If you have been diagnosed with chlamydia, be sure to tell your sexual
partner(s) to ensure they can receive proper treatment. Avoid having sexual
ontact for seven days. If you are going to be re-tested, avoid having sexual
contact until you know the results of your second test.
If you are female, you should know that untreated chlamydia can result in
pelvic inflammatory disease (or PID). This painful lower
abdominal infection
can lead to infertility: a woman may never know she is infected with chlamydia
until she is tested or decides to have a baby and discovers she has difficulty
trying to become pregnant. You should also know that if you are pregnant,
you risk passing chlamydia on to your baby during childbirth. As a result,
your baby may become more susceptible to eye and/or lung infections.
Abstinence is the
best way to prevent the spread of chlamydia. If, however,
you are sexually active, be sure to practice safer sex by always
using condoms. If you believe you have been infected
with a sexually transmitted infection, consult a
trained health professional to get tested and treated. Limit your number of
sexual partners and be sure to ask your sexual partner about his or her sexual
history. Because chlamydia is passed from one infected person to another,
avoid having sexual contact with infected persons and be sure to tell your
partner(s) if you are infected. Knowledge is power—become educated
about chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections. Don't be afraid to
ask for the guidance and support you need.
Chlamydia in women
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Sexually transmitted infections
Video Clip
HPV
HPV or human papillomavirus is the leading
sexually transmitted infection in the world. It's estimated that 75 percent of Canadians
will have at least one HPV infection in their lifetime. The majority of people who
contract HPV have no signs or symptoms, but HPV can lead to cervical cancer and
genital warts.
(Length: 1m 38s)
Related software
Itchin', Burnin' & Squirmin',
an interactive software program, produced by the University of Alberta,
reviews the basic facts about many STDs including signs and symptoms,
transmission, treatment, and prevention. This program includes abstinence,
monogamy, and condoms as preventive measures. Made specifically
for college and university audiences, it is also suitable for high
schools. Both versions are self-extracting archives (.zip files);
double-click the icon on your computer to install the program after
you download it.
Windows 3.1 version
Windows
95/NT version

It's Your Call: Making Sexual Decisions, also
developed by the University of Alberta, is an interactive computer
program that assists the user in assessing values and gathering
information. It then applies this information within the guidelines
of the user's own values, helping him or her to make healthy sexual
decisions. Along with information pertinent to sexual decision making,
the software also contains complete programs on birth
control, HIV/AIDS and other
STIs. Information on abstinence is
included as an important component.
For the Macintosh
Canadian OS 9 version (.bin)
US OS 9 version (.bin)
For all versions of WIndows
Canadian version (.zip)
US version (.zip)
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