- Chlamydia is an STI. You get it through sex
- You are more likely to get it if you don’t use a condom
- Chlamydia usually passes on its own, without negative consequences
- Do you have complaints? Make an appointment with the doctor or GGD. They will determine if you need a test for chlamydia
- The GGD has changed the testing for chlamydia. This new policy started in January 2025. Read more here.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Please e-mail them to info@sekswerk.info
Symptoms
Often, you don’t notice that you have chlamydia. But you can have symptoms. Usually, a person notices it one to three weeks after catching it.
Do you have a vagina? Then you may have these symptoms:
- Painful urination
- A burning feeling when you urinate
- Pain and blood coming out of your vagina during or after sex
- Blood coming out of your vagina when you are not having your period
- More vaginal discharge or different discharge than usual
- Itchy anus
- Blood or mucous in your poop, or diarrhea
- Severe pain in your stomach
- Fever
Do you have a penis? Then you may have these symptoms:
- Painful urination
- A burning feeling when you urinate
- Fluid from your penis, especially in the morning
- Itchy anus
- Blood or mucous in your poop, or diarrhea
- Pain in your testicles
Chlamydia in your throat
Your throat can also be infected with chlamydia. But this is not common. Chlamydia in your throat goes away by itself and does not cause any symptoms.
Take an STI test
Do you think you have chlamydia? If so, you might have other STIs. Get an STI test at the municipal health service (GGD) or at your doctor. Then you will know for sure whether you have an STI. And you will get medicine for it right away.
Testing and treatment
Most people with chlamydia do not have symptoms. Chlamydia usually passes on its own, without negative consequences. Do you have complaints or symptoms and think you might have chlamydia or something else? Go to the municipal health service (GGD) or at your doctor. They will see what tests you need. Testing is free at the municipal health service (GGD) if you tell them you are a sex worker.
If you test positive for chlamydia, you will get medicine from your doctor. The medicine will clear up your symptoms. You also won't give the STI to other people.
Did you start your treatment? Use a condom for 1 week still when you have sex. You can still pass on the STI to other people in your first week of taking medication.
You can read more about chlamydia, the treatment and which sex partners can also get tested at soaaids.nl.
Read more about chlamydia (Dutch only)
Working if you have chlamydia
It is better to take a break from work if you have chlamydia. Do not have sex until one week after your treatment. That way, your body will have time to recover. In addition, you will be sure that you no longer have the STI. And you won’t pass it on to someone else.
No sex means:
- No vaginal or anal sex. Not even with a condom
- Don’t let anyone perform oral sex on you
- Don’t let anyone give you a blow job
- No vaginal or anal fingering.
- Don’t lay or rub your vagina or penis on someone else’s. Or against their anus
This goes for sex with your clients and your own partner if you have one.
What is ok to do if you have chlamydia?
- Long-distance sex. For example, using a web cam. Read about how you can have long-distance sex
- Masturbate someone
- Finger the other person in their vagina or anus
- Always use a condom when you give a blow job. Are you unable to use a condom? In that case, please note:
- Don’t take the penis too far into your mouth
- Make sure you don’t get any sperm in your mouth
Get three free Hepatitis B vaccinations
You can also catch Hepatitis B by having sex. Especially if you don’t use a condom. You can get very sick from it. Get vaccinated for free at the municipal health service (GGD) so that you don’t catch this STI.
