Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.
What is chlamydia? —
This is a sexually transmitted infection, or "STI." It can infect the genitals, rectum, throat, or eyes. Some people have no symptoms.
If chlamydia is not treated, it can cause long-term problems. In females, it can lead to a problem called "pelvic inflammatory disease," or "PID." PID can cause pain and make it hard to get pregnant later. Rarely, untreated chlamydia can lead to arthritis.
Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Take all your medicines as instructed. In most cases, this involves taking antibiotic pills for a week. In some cases, treatment is with just 1 dose. No matter what, take all the pills your doctor prescribes. Otherwise, the infection might come back.
●Avoid sex until you finish the antibiotics. If you were treated with only 1 dose, wait a week before having sex.
●Tell any recent sex partners you were treated for chlamydia. This includes the person you last had sex with, plus anyone else you had sex with in the past 2 to 3 months. They might need treatment, too.
●Avoid sex if you or your partner has any symptoms that could be caused by an infection, such as itching, discharge, or pain when urinating. Using a latex condom correctly every time you have sex can also help prevent STIs (figure 1).
What follow-up care do I need? —
Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment. In some cases, they will want to test you to make sure treatment worked. If so, make sure you know when and where to go.
After getting treated for chlamydia, you should get tested again a few months later, even if you have no symptoms. This is because many people get the infection again. Depending on your situation, your doctor might also recommend testing for other STIs.
Some people can take an antibiotic pill after sex to help lower their risk of getting chlamydia. This is called "post-exposure prophylaxis," or "PEP." It is only recommended in certain situations for people at very high risk for STIs. Your doctor can talk to you about your risk and your options.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●You still have symptoms after finishing the antibiotics.
●Your symptoms go away, but then come back.
●You start having new symptoms.
Patient education: Chlamydia and gonorrhea (The Basics)
Patient education: Sexually transmitted infections (The Basics)
Patient education: Pelvic inflammatory disease (The Basics)
