Teen Clinic » chlamydia http://www.teenclinic.org Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:55:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 I’ve been sexually active and my vagina has been having a weird odor… http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/ive-been-sexually-active-and-my-vagina-has-been-having-a-weird-odor/ http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/ive-been-sexually-active-and-my-vagina-has-been-having-a-weird-odor/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:17:15 +0000 kati standefer http://www.teenclinic.org/?p=3122 …Yellow or brown discharge comes out and it itches. What do I have?  I don’t use a condom.

Thanks for writing in—it’s responsible to be aware of what’s going on in your body!

It sounds like you are experiencing the symptoms of an infection. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to tell exactly what’s going on without seeing a doctor. Make an appointment at Teen Clinic as soon as possible to make sure you’re healthy.  We also suggest abstaining from sex until you know for sure, since some infections can be sexually transmitted. Give us a call to schedule your appointment, and consider using condoms 100% in the future to keep yourself safe and healthy!

]]> http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/ive-been-sexually-active-and-my-vagina-has-been-having-a-weird-odor/feed/ 0 How is chlamydia passed? Is it through skin to skin contact, or bodily fluids? http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/how-is-chlamydia-passed-is-it-through-skin-to-skin-contact-or-bodily-fluids/ http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/how-is-chlamydia-passed-is-it-through-skin-to-skin-contact-or-bodily-fluids/#comments Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:12:20 +0000 kati standefer http://www.teenclinic.org/?p=2844 Great question!  Chlamydia is a bacterial infection spread through semen and vaginal fluid. It is not transmitted by blood or skin-to-skin contact.

The best way to prevent chlamydia is by abstaining from oral, anal, and vaginal sex. If you do choose to be sexually active, using barrier methods like condoms and dental dams can reduce the risk of transmission. Asking your partner to get tested before you become sexually active is also a great idea! Chlamydia testing is free and confidential at Teen Clinic, and you can get tested on a walk-in basis.

For more information, see this page dedicated to the infection, or this page dedicated to questions teens have asked about chlamydia.

]]> http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/how-is-chlamydia-passed-is-it-through-skin-to-skin-contact-or-bodily-fluids/feed/ 0 How long does it take untreated chlamydia to make a person infertile?
 http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/how-long-does-it-take-untreated-chlamydia-to-make-a-person-infertile%e2%80%a8/ http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/how-long-does-it-take-untreated-chlamydia-to-make-a-person-infertile%e2%80%a8/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:35:41 +0000 kati standefer http://www.teenclinic.org/?p=2819

Great question! Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to this question. Everyone’s body is different. While some immune systems are able to keep a chlamydial infection at bay for some time, others may struggle.

In females, infertility can occur when the infection spreads from the vaginal canal into the uterus (pelvic inflammatory disease) and chlamydia bacteria inflame the uterine lining (endometrium), causing scarring.  This scar tissue can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the endometrium. It can also cause ectopic pregnancy, or pregnancy in the fallopian tubes, by blocking a fertilized egg from leaving the tubes.

In males, infertility occurs when chlamydia bacteria cause inflammation in the epididymis, a little sac in the testicles where sperm mature.  While this inflammation is occurring, sperm cannot appropriately mature, and will not form a pregnancy. However, males will likely become fertile again once the chlamydia has been treated.

Because it’s hard to predict how a person’s body will respond to chlamydia, it’s important to get tested once a year or after new partners. It’s a great idea to use condoms and bring your partners in to get tested before you become sexually active with them! Remember, chlamydia and gonorrhea don’t have symptoms about 70% of the time.  Once a person tests positive for chlamydia, we treat them as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage and further spread of the infection.

At Teen Clinic, you can get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea on a walk-in basis!  Stop by anytime we’re open or give us a call for more details.

]]> http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/how-long-does-it-take-untreated-chlamydia-to-make-a-person-infertile%e2%80%a8/feed/ 0 My boyfriend and I both have sore throats. It’s odd, because we have not been sick. We have unprotected sex and oral. What could it be? http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/my-boyfriend-and-i-both-have-sore-throats-its-odd-because-we-have-not-been-sick-we-have-unprotected-sex-and-oral-what-could-it-be/ http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/my-boyfriend-and-i-both-have-sore-throats-its-odd-because-we-have-not-been-sick-we-have-unprotected-sex-and-oral-what-could-it-be/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:50:38 +0000 kati standefer http://teenclinic.org/?p=2788 It’s possible you both are experiencing symptoms caused by a Chlamydia or Gonorrhea infection in the throat. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are transmitted through infected semen and vaginal fluids. They are bacteria that can infect the vagina, penis, anus or throat. More often than not, these infections are asymptomatic- which means they don’t have symptoms. So it’s quite possible for vaginal fluids and/or semen to be infected without symptoms in the penis or vagina specifically.

Get tested as soon as you can. Teen Clinic provides free and confidential STI testing, including a throat culture that will detect if Chlamydia or Gonorrhea is present. Remember that flavored condoms and dental dams are effective methods for reducing the transmission of STIs during oral sex! Until you are tested and treated, abstain for sexual activity or use condoms and dental dams.

]]> http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/my-boyfriend-and-i-both-have-sore-throats-its-odd-because-we-have-not-been-sick-we-have-unprotected-sex-and-oral-what-could-it-be/feed/ 0 Is your clinic only for girls, or can boys go there to get tested for an STI too? http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/is-your-clinic-only-for-girls-or-can-boys-go-there-to-get-tested-for-an-sti-too/ http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/is-your-clinic-only-for-girls-or-can-boys-go-there-to-get-tested-for-an-sti-too/#comments Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:46:49 +0000 kati standefer http://www.teenclinic.org/?p=2761 What a great question! Teen Clinic offers free, confidential care to everyone under 20, whether male, female, or intersex.

On a walk-in basis, males can get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea, access our free monthly HIV testing, or pick up Plan B for a female partner. Males should make an appointment if they are experiencing the symptoms of an infection or if they want to receive Gardasil (the HPV vaccine). And, of course, males are always welcome to stop by Teen Clinic to grab a handful of condoms!  Teen Clinic can also be a resource for questions about sexuality, how to use a condom, or talking to your parents about sex.

We often think of females when we think of sexual health, but birth control and STI-related services are just as important for males!  Thanks for taking the initiative to take care of your health, and spread the word!

]]> http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/is-your-clinic-only-for-girls-or-can-boys-go-there-to-get-tested-for-an-sti-too/feed/ 0 What should I get tested on after having sex? http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/what-should-i-get-tested-on-after-having-sex/ http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/what-should-i-get-tested-on-after-having-sex/#comments Mon, 20 Dec 2010 20:06:42 +0000 kati standefer http://www.teenclinic.org/?p=2403 Great question!  Some sexually transmitted infections might not have symptoms, so getting tested is an important way to keep your body healthy.

Here’s a guide on when to test for what:

  • Chlamydia/Gonorrhea:    At Teen Clinic, we test for chlamydia and gonorrhea with a simple urine sample.  Because chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial STI, we recommend testing after unprotected sex or after sex with a new partner.  We also recommend testing when someone is experiencing symptoms, like itching, bleeding with intercourse, painful ejaculation or burning with urination in males, or unusual discharge.  Once sexually active, test for chlamydia and gonorrhea once a year and before each new partner.
  • Syphilis: Syphilis is rare among the general population.  However, rates are climbing among certain groups of people. When you come in, talk to a practitioner about your sexual health history to decide if a syphilis test makes sense for you. We test for syphilis with a simple blood draw.
  • HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): We highly recommend everyone gets tested for HIV.  It’s always better to know. Once you’re sexually active, consider getting tested for HIV every year or and before each new partner. An HIV test is a rapid finger prick, so we receive results in just 10 minutes. At Teen Clinic, we offer free HIV testing the first Tuesday of the month in Boulder and the third Wednesday of the month in Longmont. The Boulder County AIDS Project offers free HIV testing for teens anytime! Visit www.bcap.org or call 303.444.6121.
  • Herpes: At Teen Clinic, we only test for herpes when someone is experiencing an outbreak. Teens who are concerned about small, itchy red bumps or open lesions on their genitals should make an appointment for an infection check.
  • HPV: Detecting HPV in the body can be tricky.  Some people learn they have HPV when they develop genital warts. Others may have a pap, or sample of cells, taken from their cervix or anus. If the cells show abnormal growth, pathology will determine if HPV is present. If HPV is causing the abnormal cells, they can become cancerous over time. Providers recommend annual paps for any female over 21.  We don’t perform paps on females under 21 because many young women with HPV clear the virus in their teenage years.  At this point in time, there is no equivalent test for men. However, men can still be infected and suffer from HPV. What can you do about HPV? Women and men can get the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, for free at Teen Clinic!  Gardasil can prevent some strains of HPV that cause genital warts and cancer.
  • Trichomoniasis: Believe it or not, Trich is a common curable STI among young, sexually active women and men. Its symptoms can include painful ejaculation, green-yellow foamy discharge, a fishy smell, and slight irritation or itching. However, it can also be asymptomatic, meaning it has no symptoms. To diagnose Trichomoniasis in both men and women, a provider must perform a physical exam and laboratory tests. Someone concerned about Trich should schedule an Infection Check appointment at Teen Clinic so the provider knows an exam will be necessary.
  • Hepatitis A, B &C: First, find out if you received a Hepatitis vaccine when you were a child. Most Americans are vaccinated against Hepatitis B, and some against Hepatitis A.  If you weren’t vaccinated, hepatitis is possible if you have been exposed to someone’s infected blood or sexual fluids. Teen Clinic does not offer hepatitis testing, but our providers would be happy to discuss it with you.  We refer interested patients to Boulder County Public Health. A blood draw is used to test for Hepatitis A, B and C.

Whew! That’s a lot to keep track of! Luckily, our providers are always willing to advise you on which tests are right for you.  And keep in mind that STIs can be prevented through abstinence, consistent & correct condom use, and talking to your partner about their sexual history before becoming active with them.   You can even bring them in to get tested!  To schedule an appointment for an infection check and/or STI test, call 303.442.5160.

]]> http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/what-should-i-get-tested-on-after-having-sex/feed/ 0 If I had unprotected sex, what is the possibility of me having an STI? http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/if-i-had-unprotected-sex-what-is-the-possibility-of-me-having-an-sti/ http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/if-i-had-unprotected-sex-what-is-the-possibility-of-me-having-an-sti/#comments Fri, 07 May 2010 23:54:46 +0000 kati standefer http://teenclinic.org/?p=1779 It’s very possible to transmit and contract STIs through oral sex. It’s hard to estimate the exact likelihood of any individual. One person involved must be infected and there must be skin contact or the exchange of blood, semen and/or vaginal fluids. Some STIs are more likely to be transmitted during oral sex than others. Herpes & HPV are both viral STIs that transmit via skin-to-skin contact. Both viruses present themselves in the mouth and genitals. Herpes can cause cold sores on the outside of the mouth and around the genitals. HPV can cause abnormal cell growth (that can lead to cancer) in the mouth, throat and genitals. It’s also possible to contract Chlamydia or Gonorrhea in the throat through unprotected oral sex. Symptoms are generally a sore throat. Flavored condoms & dental dams exist purely for protected oral sex. Check out your local clinic or pharmacy for condoms & dental dams; be sure to use them every time!

]]> http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/if-i-had-unprotected-sex-what-is-the-possibility-of-me-having-an-sti/feed/ 0 What are the symptoms of Chlamydia? http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/what-are-the-symptoms-of-chlamydia/ http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/what-are-the-symptoms-of-chlamydia/#comments Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:27:25 +0000 kati standefer http://teenclinic.org/?p=1694 The tricky thing about Chlamydia is that most people who contract the infection are asymptomatic – they don’t have any symptoms at all! Half of men and one in three women do not experience symptoms. For people who do get symptoms of Chlamydia, it can include

  • painful urination
  • painful ejaculation
  • pelvic pain
  • unusual discharge

Like all bacteria, Chlamydia will multiply when left untreated. If an infected person does not get tested and treated, the infection can spread in their bodies causing irreversible damage to their reproductive organs and can lead to infertility. Chlamydia will get worse if untreated even if a person never experiences symptoms. Fortunately, a test for Chlamydia is very easy and straight-forward – a urine test. A person can leave a sample of urine at the clinic and receive results in a few days. Make an appointment for a Chlamydia test or any other STI testing at Teen Clinic by calling 303.442.5160.

]]> http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/what-are-the-symptoms-of-chlamydia/feed/ 0 Is ejaculating in a girls throat a possible risk for STIs? http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/is-ejaculating-in-a-girls-throat-a-possible-risk-for-stis/ http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/is-ejaculating-in-a-girls-throat-a-possible-risk-for-stis/#comments Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:25:12 +0000 kati standefer http://teenclinic.org/?p=1653 Yes, many STIs can be transmitted through unprotected oral sex. Chalmydia & Gonorrhea can infect the throat, causing a sore throat. HPV has been linked to mouth and throat cancer when the virus is transmitted via oral sex. Herpes Type II (genital herpes) can be transmitted to the mouth, leading to cold sores on the outside of the mouth. Herpes Type I (oral herpes) can also cross-transmit, causing cold sore outbreaks on the genitals. Since there is a great risk for transmission it’s very important for you and a partner to get tested for any STIs. Until you’ve ruled out infection, always use a condom or a dental dam every time you engage in oral sex.

]]> http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/is-ejaculating-in-a-girls-throat-a-possible-risk-for-stis/feed/ 0 Which STIs are treatable? http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/what-stis-are-treatable/ http://www.teenclinic.org/about/get-answers/ask-us/what-stis-are-treatable/#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:10:12 +0000 kati standefer http://teenclinic.org/?p=1127 Only some STIs are completely curable. STIs that cannot be cured, however, can be treated. When we say that STIs are treatable we mean that symptoms can be soothed and managed, but the infection cannot be cured. STIs that are curable can go away completely with the right medication. Curable STIs are the bacterias: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis; and the parasites: Trichomoniasis, Pubic Lice & Scabies. Bacterial infections are cured with antibiotics. Parasitic infections are curable with various shampoos, creams, and medications.

The viral STIs cannot be completely cured, but their symptoms and effects can be managed and treated. Herpes, HPV, HIV, Hepatitis A, B, C can be managable infections. If you or someone you know is concerned about any STIs, make an appointment at one of our Teen Clinics for free and confidential testing and treatment. Remember, the best treatment is prevention and partner communication.

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