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Chlamydia: Symptoms, Testing and Treatment in Pittsburgh

Updated · Sources are cited in the text

Chlamydia: Symptoms, Testing and Treatment in Pittsburgh

This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections in the United States. It is also one of the easiest to treat. The hard part is that it often causes no symptoms at all, so the only way to learn about it is a test.

This guide explains the symptoms of chlamydia, who should be screened, how testing works, and what chlamydia treatment looks like. It also answers the question many people ask first: is chlamydia curable? It covers what is available in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, including free and low-cost options.

What chlamydia is and how common it is in Pittsburgh

Chlamydia is an infection caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through vaginal, anal or oral sex. It can also pass from a pregnant person to a baby during delivery, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has sex can get chlamydia. It does not depend on gender, orientation or the number of partners. Condoms and dental dams lower the chance of getting it, but they do not remove it. Chlamydia is common, and having it says nothing about a person's character.

What the local numbers show

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) publishes yearly counts of sexually transmitted infections. For 2024, it reports a county chlamydia rate of 421.3 per 100,000 residents, which was 5,190 cases. For 2025, the ACHD page lists 4,744 chlamydia cases, or 385.1 per 100,000. These are the most recent county figures the health department shows.

For comparison, the CDC's STI Surveillance report for 2023 lists Pennsylvania's chlamydia rate at 421.2 per 100,000, or 54,600 cases. That ranked the state 35th among the states. Those numbers cover different years, so they are not a direct comparison.

These figures count infections that were diagnosed and reported. Because many infections cause no symptoms, the real number is likely higher. Pennsylvania rules, found in 28 Pa. Code 27.21a, require laboratory-confirmed chlamydia to be reported to the health department within five work days. This is how the county builds its numbers.

Why it matters even without symptoms

Chlamydia that goes untreated can cause health problems over time. The CDC says untreated chlamydia in women can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes. This causes pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to long-term pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and difficulty getting pregnant.

In people with a penis, the infection can cause pain and swelling around the testicles (epididymitis). Chlamydia can also infect the rectum and throat. A baby born to a person with chlamydia can develop eye infections or pneumonia.

The good news is that treatment is simple, and finding the infection early prevents most of these problems.

Symptoms of chlamydia

The CDC states that most people with chlamydia have no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they usually show up some weeks after exposure, and they can be mild enough to miss. They can also be mistaken for other conditions such as a urinary tract infection or yeast infection.

Because symptoms are an unreliable guide, they cannot tell you whether you have chlamydia. Only a test can do that. A clinician can help sort out what might be causing a symptom.

Symptoms in people with a vagina or cervix

According to the CDC, possible symptoms include:

  • An unusual vaginal discharge, which may have a different smell
  • A burning feeling when urinating
  • Pain during sex
  • Bleeding between periods or after sex
  • Pain in the lower belly

Symptoms in people with a penis

The CDC lists these possible symptoms:

  • Discharge from the penis
  • A burning feeling when urinating
  • Pain or swelling in one or both testicles, which is less common

Symptoms in the rectum and throat

Chlamydia in the rectum can cause rectal pain, discharge or bleeding, though many people notice nothing. Chlamydia in the throat usually causes no symptoms. The CDC notes that rectal infection can occur after receptive anal sex, and also in people who report no anal sex in some cases.

When to see a clinician soon

Contact a clinic if you notice any of the symptoms above, if a partner tells you they tested positive for chlamydia, or if you had sex with someone whose status you do not know. Pain in the lower belly or testicles that is severe, or comes with fever, deserves prompt medical attention.

You do not need to wait for symptoms to get tested. Many Pittsburgh clinics, covered later in this guide, offer testing for people with no symptoms at all.

Who should be tested, and how often

Because chlamydia is often silent, testing guidelines are based on who is most likely to be affected, not on symptoms. These recommendations come from the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

Sexually active women and other people with a cervix

The USPSTF recommends screening for chlamydia in sexually active women 24 years or younger. It also recommends screening for older women who are at increased risk, such as those with a new partner or more than one partner. The CDC guidelines recommend yearly screening for sexually active women under 25, and for women 25 and older with risk factors.

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men

The CDC recommends screening at least once a year for sexually active men who have sex with men, at the sites where they have had sex (urine, rectum, and throat as applicable). The CDC says people with multiple or anonymous partners may benefit from more frequent screening, such as every three to six months. A clinician can help set a schedule that fits your situation.

Pregnancy

The CDC recommends chlamydia screening at the first prenatal visit for pregnant women under 25 and for older pregnant women at increased risk. Treating chlamydia during pregnancy protects both the parent and the baby. If you are pregnant, ask your prenatal clinician which tests they recommend.

Transgender and nonbinary people

Screening advice follows the anatomy a person has and the sex they have, not their gender identity. The CDC recommends that clinicians ask about sexual practices and test the sites that apply. If a clinic does not ask, you can say which body parts are involved so you get the right test.

Anyone else who may want a test

People with a new partner, more than one partner, or a partner who has another partner may choose to test. So may anyone whose partner has been diagnosed with an STI, and anyone who simply wants to know. The CDC also recommends testing for people with HIV who are sexually active, at least yearly. Many clinics test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV together, since these infections often occur together.

How chlamydia testing works

Chlamydia is diagnosed with a nucleic acid amplification test, called a NAAT. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) name NAATs as the recommended test. They look for the genetic material of the bacteria and are very sensitive.

What the sample looks like

Testing is usually simple and fast:

  • Urine sample: a small amount of urine in a cup. This works for people with a penis, and it is one option for people with a vagina.
  • Vaginal swab: the CDC lists this as the preferred sample for women. Some clinics let you collect it yourself in private.
  • Rectal or throat swab: used when a person has had anal or oral sex. A urine test does not check these sites, so tell the clinician which types of sex you have had.

The Allies for Health + Wellbeing testing page lists chlamydia and gonorrhea testing by urine, oral and rectal swabs, which reflects this approach.

When to test after a possible exposure

Timing matters because a test taken very soon after exposure may not detect an infection. The CDC does not give one fixed number for every situation in the pages used for this guide, so ask the clinic how long to wait based on your circumstances. If you have symptoms or a partner has been diagnosed, tell the clinician, since they may test and treat right away.

Getting your results

NAAT results often take a few days. Some clinics call, text or use a patient portal. At the ACHD Sexual Health Clinic, photo ID is not required to be seen, but the clinic page says it is required to receive results. Ask at your visit how and when results arrive, and what number to call.

What a negative or positive result means

A negative result means the test did not detect chlamydia in the sample at that time. It does not protect against a later exposure. A positive result means a clinician can start treatment. Only a clinician can interpret your result in the context of your symptoms, your history and the timing of your test.

Home testing

The ACHD Sexual Health Clinic page lists free at-home test kits for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV, ordered at lumba.health/achd. A county flyer reportedly limits kits to Allegheny County residents aged 16 or older, but that flyer could not be read when checked, so confirm eligibility with the health department before ordering. Home kits can be a good fit if getting to a clinic is hard. If a result is positive, a clinician still needs to prescribe treatment.

Is chlamydia curable? Chlamydia treatment explained

Yes, chlamydia is curable. The CDC states that chlamydia can be cured with the right antibiotics, prescribed by a clinician. Treatment works for infections in the genital area, the rectum and the throat.

What chlamydia treatment involves

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) list the antibiotic doxycycline as the recommended treatment for most adults and adolescents, with azithromycin and levofloxacin as alternatives in some situations. Your clinician decides which medicine is right for you, based on your health, other medicines, allergies and whether you are pregnant. In pregnancy, the guidelines recommend a different antibiotic from the usual first choice.

This guide does not give doses or schedules. Your clinician or pharmacist will tell you exactly how to take the medicine. Take it as directed, and ask questions if anything is unclear.

Do not share or save antibiotics

Do not take leftover antibiotics or medicine prescribed for someone else. The wrong medicine can fail to clear the infection and can make later treatment harder. Symptoms may fade quickly after treatment starts, but finishing the full course matters.

Sex during treatment

The CDC advises that people with chlamydia, and their partners, avoid sex until treatment is complete and any symptoms have gone. Your clinician will tell you how long to wait. This helps prevent passing the infection back and forth.

Do I need a test to check it worked?

For most people, the CDC does not recommend a repeat test right after treatment to confirm a cure. A pregnant person is an exception, with a follow-up test recommended about four weeks after treatment. Everyone should be retested about three months after treatment, as described below. Ask your clinician what is right for you.

Side effects and questions

Antibiotics can cause side effects such as an upset stomach. A pharmacist or clinician can tell you what to expect and what to do if you feel unwell. If you have a reaction that worries you, contact your clinician or seek urgent care.

Can chlamydia come back?

Yes. Being cured does not make a person immune. You can get chlamydia again from a new partner, or from an untreated partner. This is why partner treatment and retesting matter. Reinfection is common, according to the CDC, and it raises the chance of complications such as PID.

What about doxycycline taken after sex?

In 2024, the CDC issued guidance on doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, often called doxy-PEP. It is a medicine a clinician may prescribe to certain people to lower the chance of getting bacterial STIs after sex. The CDC guidance focuses on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and transgender women, who had a bacterial STI in the past year. It lowers the risk of chlamydia and syphilis, with less benefit shown for gonorrhea. It is not the same as treatment and does not replace regular testing. The ACHD Sexual Health Clinic lists doxy-PEP among its services, so ask a clinician if it could fit your situation.

Partners, retesting and prevention

Telling partners

Telling a partner can feel uncomfortable. It is also one of the most helpful things a person can do, because untreated partners can pass chlamydia back. The CDC recommends that recent sex partners be tested and treated. For people with chlamydia, that generally means partners from the 60 days before symptoms began or before the diagnosis.

You can keep the conversation simple and factual: you tested positive for chlamydia, it is curable, and they should get tested. Many clinics and health departments can help with this. The ACHD can be reached at 412-578-8081 for questions about the Sexual Health Clinic.

Expedited partner therapy in Pennsylvania

Expedited partner therapy (EPT) lets a clinician provide a prescription or medicine for a partner without examining that partner first. The CDC's legal status page for Pennsylvania cites 35 P.S. 603, which allows a health care practitioner to prescribe or furnish antibiotics for STIs without examining the partner, and 35 P.S. 604, which covers pharmacist dispensing and labeling.

The sources reviewed for this guide do not list which infections are covered under Pennsylvania's EPT law. Ask your clinician whether EPT is an option for your partner. EPT is meant to help when a partner cannot easily get to a clinic. A partner who is able to see a clinician should still be tested, since they may have other infections too.

Retesting after treatment

The CDC recommends retesting about three months after chlamydia treatment, whether or not you think your partners were treated. This is because reinfection is common. If you cannot retest at three months, the CDC advises testing whenever you next see a clinician within the first year.

Prevention that works in real life

  • Use condoms or dental dams consistently and correctly. The CDC says condoms lower the risk of chlamydia when used every time.
  • Get tested regularly, and ask new partners about their testing.
  • Talk with partners about testing before having sex.
  • Ask about your options for HIV prevention. The ACHD Sexual Health Clinic offers PrEP and non-occupational PEP, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health notes that insured Pennsylvanians have PrEP covered at no cost-sharing under the Affordable Care Act.

Chlamydia is one of several STIs. A visit that covers more than one infection saves time. The page on STD testing in Pittsburgh, including where to go and what it costs compares your options across all STIs.

Where to get tested in Pittsburgh, and your rights

Pittsburgh has several clinics that test for chlamydia. The details below come from each organization's published information. Hours and services change, so call before you go. The local testing list on this site has the full set of options.

Allegheny County Health Department Sexual Health Clinic

The ACHD runs the Sexual Health Clinic at two sites. It lists STI testing, HIV testing, PrEP, PEP, doxy-PEP, treatment and hepatitis C testing as services, and lists the cost as free.

  • Downtown: 425 First Avenue, Fourth Floor (entrance on Cherry Way), Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 am to 3:45 pm, and Thursday 11:30 am to 6:15 pm. The clinic closes 12 to 1 pm for lunch, and on Thursday closes 2:30 to 3:30 pm instead.
  • McKeesport: 339 Fifth Avenue (entrance at Lysle Boulevard and Locust Street), McKeesport, PA 15132. Hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 3:45 pm, closed 12 to 1 pm.

Walk-ins are welcome, first come, first served. Appointments get priority. Call 412-578-8081 with questions or to book. The ACHD says hours can vary with holidays, and another ACHD page shows different Downtown hours on Wednesday, so call to confirm. The clinic sees patients regardless of immigration status, and anyone 13 and older can be seen without parental consent.

Allies for Health + Wellbeing

Allies is a nonprofit offering HIV, STI and hepatitis C services at 211 North Whitfield Street, Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Its free-testing page lists free walk-in testing at the office on Sundays, 9 to 11:15 am and 1 to 4:15 pm. It also lists weekly walk-in sites at Unity Recovery (Tuesday evenings), Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (Wednesdays) and Bethany Baptist Church (Friday late morning to early afternoon). Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing uses urine, oral and rectal swabs. The page has noted canceled walk-in days, so check before you go. Call 412-345-7456. Allies says it accepts many insurance plans and offers financial assistance, but it does not publish prices.

Central Outreach Wellness Center

Central Outreach is an LGBTQ-focused community health center at 127 Anderson Street, Suite 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. It serves patients with or without insurance and offers sliding-scale options. Its published hours are Monday and Thursday 9 am to 7 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 9 am to 5 pm, and Friday 10 am to 5 pm. The CDC's GetTested directory lists Friday as 9 to 5, so confirm by phone. The center lists (412) 322-4151, and the CDC directory lists (412) 515-0000. The CDC directory says no appointment is required, but the center's own page does not say which site does walk-in STI testing, so call first.

Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh Family Planning Health Center is at 933 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, phone (412) 434-8971. The CDC GetTested directory lists chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes and rapid HIV testing. It says an appointment is required, fees are on a sliding scale, and insurance and Medicaid are accepted. Hours are not listed there, so confirm with the center.

University Family Medicine UPMC, Squirrel Hill

This primary care practice is at 5608 Wilkin Ave, Suite 100, Pittsburgh, PA 15217, phone (412) 422-8762. The CDC directory lists chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HIV and hepatitis tests, requires an appointment, and says insurance and Medicaid are accepted. The cost for people without insurance is not published, so ask the office.

Find more options with the CDC

The CDC runs a national directory at gettested.cdc.gov where you can look up testing sites by ZIP code. It is a good place to find additional clinics, or sites closer to your neighborhood.

Consent, privacy and the law in Pennsylvania

Under Pennsylvania's Act of Feb. 13, 1970, P.L. 19, No. 10 (35 P.S. 10103), any minor may consent to medical and health services to determine the presence of or to treat venereal disease. The consent of no other person is needed. The section text does not mention parental notification. The Guttmacher Institute's summary agrees: Pennsylvania minors may consent to STI testing and treatment, with no age restriction and no parental notification listed. Individual clinics set their own policies, so the ACHD clinic's published rule is that it sees anyone 13 and older without parental consent.

Reporting is handled by the health department. Under 28 Pa. Code 27.21a, laboratory-confirmed chlamydia is reportable within five work days of identification. Labs and clinicians send reports to public health authorities. Reporting is how the county tracks infections and can connect people with partner services. If you have questions about how your information is handled, ask the clinic before your visit.

Paying for care

The ACHD Sexual Health Clinic lists its services as free. Other clinics here use sliding scales or accept insurance and Medicaid. If cost is a concern, say so when you call. Ask what the visit includes, whether there is a separate lab fee, and whether a sliding scale applies.

Common questions

Can chlamydia go away on its own?

Do not rely on that. The CDC says chlamydia needs antibiotic treatment from a clinician. Without treatment, it can lead to complications even when it causes no symptoms.

Can I get chlamydia in my throat or rectum?

Yes. The CDC says chlamydia can infect the throat and rectum, as well as the genitals. Tell your clinician which types of sex you have had so the right sites are tested.

Is chlamydia curable if I have had it more than once?

Yes. Each infection can be treated by a clinician. Having it more than once is common and is a reason to talk with a clinician about testing partners and retesting after treatment.

Does chlamydia affect fertility?

The CDC says untreated chlamydia can cause PID, which can affect the ability to get pregnant. Treatment lowers that risk. If you have concerns about fertility, a clinician can talk through your own situation.

Can I be tested for several infections at once?

Yes. Many Pittsburgh clinics test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV in one visit. For the full picture of costs and locations, see the guide to STD testing in Pittsburgh.

What if I cannot get to a clinic during the week?

Allies lists Sunday walk-in testing, and the ACHD Downtown clinic runs later hours on Thursday. Free home kits are also listed by the ACHD. Confirm details by phone first.

Next step

If you are due for screening, have symptoms, or have a partner who tested positive, the next step is a test. Call the ACHD Sexual Health Clinic at 412-578-8081, or use gettested.cdc.gov to find a site. Chlamydia is common, treatable and curable, and taking care of your sexual health is a routine part of looking after yourself.

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