How long after taking antibiotics does chlamydia go away

Chlamydia treatment is straightforward and has a success rate of 95% or more.

Table of Contents Show

Effects of chlamydia treatment
How can you care for yourself at home?
How can you prevent it?
When should you call for help?
Where can you learn more?

An infected person will usually receive a single dose of an antibiotic. In some instances (eg in men with testicular pain or women with pelvic pain) a longer course of antibiotics may be warranted.

Results for chlamydia tests take seven working days. If you test positive you may be asked to return to clinic for treatment. However in some instances you may be given chlamydia treatment on the day of your test, ie without waiting for your results. This may occur if you report a sexual partner has been infected with chlamydia or if a condition known as an NSU is diagnosed in men who have a urethral swab taken.

If you have been infected with chlamydia it is possible you may also have another STI. Therefore it is advisable that you have a full sexual health screen for gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV. Any of our three sexual health clinics routinely offer sexual health check-ups alongside chlamydia tests.

If you are pregnant, you may be asked to return following treatment to make sure the chlamydial infection has been eradicated.

In women using the combined contraceptive pill or patch, the antibiotics used in your chlamydia treatment may temporarily reduce the effectiveness of your contraception. Our staff will advise on how to ensure you are protected from pregnancy throughout the course of your treatment.

Effects of chlamydia treatment

After you have begun your course of chlamydia treatment, you should start to notice an improvement in your symptoms within a few days. Generally, most symptoms should resolve completely within 2–4 weeks. If any symptoms persist, such as pelvic pain or pain during sex, please return to the clinic as further treatment or investigations may be necessary.

If you are diagnosed with chlamydia you may need to inform anyone you have had sex with within the last six months as they may also be infected. They should be advised to attend a sexual health clinic for a chlamydia test and will usually be offered treatment on the day they attend. This advice is regardless of whether they have any symptoms or not, or whether or not you used a condom.

If you feel unable to inform previous sexual partners one of our Health Advisers will be able to notify them on your behalf without revealing your identity.

You should not have oral, anal or vaginal sex during your course of chlamydia treatment or for seven days after a single dose of chlamydia treatment and also until your current partner completes their treatment and until both you and your partner’s symptoms have abated. This is to avoid being re-infected and requiring further treatment.

Overview

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection spread through sexual contact. It's one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Most people who get chlamydia don't have symptoms. But they can still infect their sex partners.

Antibiotics can cure chlamydia. Your sex partner or partners also need treatment so they don't spread the infection.

Tell your doctor if you might be pregnant. Some antibiotics should not be used during pregnancy.

Treatment is important. If chlamydia isn't treated, it can cause a severe infection of the testicles (called epididymo-orchitis) as well as the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries (called pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID). PID can make it hard to get pregnant.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

If your doctor prescribed antibiotics to take at home, take them as directed. Don't stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
Don't have sex with anyone while you are being treated. If your treatment is a single dose of antibiotics, wait at least 7 days after you take the dose before you have sex. Even if you use a condom, you and your partner may pass the infection back and forth.
Make sure to tell your sex partner or partners that you have chlamydia. They should get treated, even if they don't have symptoms.
Get any tests your doctor suggests. Your doctor may do tests for other STIs. And you may be advised to get tested again for chlamydia in several months.

How can you prevent it?

It's easier to prevent an STI than it is to treat one:

Limit your sex partners. The safest sex is with one partner who has sex only with you.
Talk with your partner or partners about STIs before you have sex. Find out if they are at risk for an STI. Remember that it's possible to have an STI and not know it.
Wait to have sex with new partners until you've each been tested.
Don't have sex if you have symptoms of an infection or if you are being treated for an STI.
Use a condom (a male or female condom) every time you have sex. Condoms are the only form of birth control that also helps prevent STIs.
If you're pregnant, be extra careful. Some STIs can be passed to your baby during delivery.

Vaccines are available for some STIs, such as HPV. Ask your doctor for more information.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

You have sudden, severe pain in your belly or pelvis.

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

You have new belly or pelvic pain.
You have a fever.
You have new or increased burning or pain with urination, or you cannot urinate.
You have pain, swelling, or tenderness in the scrotum.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

You have unusual vaginal bleeding.
You have a discharge from the vagina or penis.
You think you may have been exposed to another STI.
Your symptoms get worse or have not improved within 1 week after starting treatment.
You have any new symptoms, such as sores, bumps, rashes, blisters, or warts in the genital or anal area.