Your sexual partner has tested positive for Chlamydia.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is the most common bacterial STD in the United States . Chlamydia can infect men, women and newborns. It is passed from one person to another during vaginal and oral sex. It may also be spread to the throat from oral sex.

Most people infected with Chlamydia have no symptoms.

About 8 out of 10 women with Chlamydia have no symptoms. If women do have symptoms, they could include: fluid from the vagina that smells, looks, or feels different; bleeding from the vagina or anus that is not normal; pain with urination (peeing); or lower stomach pain, especially when having sex.

About 5 out of 10 men with Chlamydia have no symptoms. If men do have symptoms, they could include: fluid from the head of the penis or anus that is not normal; pain or itching on the head of the penis; pain with urination (peeing).

Even without symptoms, a person with Chlamydia can give Chlamydia to their sex partners. Chlamydia is a serious disease. If untreated, it can cause a pelvic infection in women that can cause them to be infertile (unable to have children). This pelvic infection can also cause women to have a tubal pregnancy, which can cause death. Men can sometimes develop an infection of the testicles and scrotum (sack) that causes pain and swelling. Also, a person with Chlamydia has a greater chance of giving or getting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Since your partner has tested positive for Chlamydia, you must also be tested and treated, even if you have no symptoms. If you are not treated, you can give the infection back to your partner, or infect others. Please call your health care provider as soon as possible. STD testing and treatment is confidential.

There is an STD Clinic at Metrowest Medical Center in Framingham: (508) 383-1130.

How can you avoid getting an STD in the future?

- Abstinence (not having sex) is the only sure way to avoid infection.
- Plan ahead: think about protecting yourself. Talk about STDs and the need to protect yourself with your sex   partner(s).
- Use a condom with each sex partner.

For more information, call the National STD/HIV hotlines at (800) 342-2437 or (800) 227-7889.

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