Chlamydia

Prevention:

Aside from total abstinence, a monogamous sexual relationship with a known healthy partner is the best way of avoiding this and all other sexually-transmitted diseases. Condoms remain the best and most reliable protection against this and other sexually-transmitted diseases for sexually-active people. Condoms should be used consistently and correctly when any sexual behavior falls outside abstinence or monogamy with a healthy partner.

About 70% of individuals infected with chlamydia do not know they have an infection. Teenagers should be especially careful when they become sexually active. The high incidence of chlamydia infection (and gonorrhea) in teenagers may reflect several factors including:

• lack of knowledge concerning sexually-transmitted diseases
• a feeling of invulnerability or "it-won't-happen-to-me" that is often associated with adolescence
• bad judgment based on limited experience
• failure to adequately know or query sexual partners about their sexual history