Chlamydia partner instructions
Key points below
What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a germ. It is a very common infection in Wisconsin. Chlamydia can be cured with medicine. Women who are not treated may never be able to get pregnant.Why do I need to be treated?
Your sex partner has Chlamydia. You may have been given to Chlamydia. You can get this infection from having oral, vaginal or anal sex with a person who has Chlamydia. People who have this infection may not know they have it because they have no signs or symptoms. If you have the infection and do not get treated, you will give the infection to your sex partners.It is important to see a medical provider as soon as possible to get examined and tested. People can have more than one STD at the same time. This medicine will not cure other STDs. Having STDs can increase your risk of getting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). You may also want to get tested for HIV.
What is the treatment?
Chlamydia is treated with an antibiotic called azithromycin. It is also called Zithromax.
You should see your own doctor as soon as possible to be examined and tested for chlamydia. If you cannot have an exam in the next few days, you can get treatment through Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT). Your partner can get a prescription labeled Expedited Partner Therapy for you. You should take the medicine that was given to you or have the prescription filled at your local pharmacy. Follow the directions on the prescription.
All Wisconsin pharmacies must fill the EPT prescription without a patient name. However, it will not be covered by insurance unless you give the pharmacist your partner’s name and insurance information.
If you do not take the medicine, you can get very sick. If you are a woman, you can have pelvic pain for a long time and may not ever be able to have children.
Having sex
• Stop having sex
• Do not have sex until 7 days after taking the medicine.
• You and your partners must finish the treatment before having sex again. If you have sex before the treatment is done you could still pass the infection to your sex partners.
• A condom will not protect others from getting the infection.
How do I tell my partners about this?
You can get help from the local health department to let your sex partners know they may have the infection. This is important so that they can be tested and treated.
The health department can also answer any questions you have about Chlamydia or the treatment. For a list of health departments in Wisconsin, visit http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/localhealth/
In Milwaukee, call the Keenan STD Clinic: 414-286-3631 or TTY 414-286-2025
In Madison, call WI STD Control Section: 608-266-7365
There is a website where you can send an anonymous and confidential email to your sex partners about the infection: http://www.inspot.org
Before taking the medicine, please read:
Azithromycin is a very safe antibiotic. However, do not take the medicine if you have the problems listed below.
• You are female and have lower belly pain, pain during sex, vomiting or fever.
• You are male and have pain or swelling in the testicles or fever.
• You have had a bad reaction, rash, breathing problems or allergic reaction after taking azithromycin or other antibiotics. People who are allergic to some antibiotics may be allergic to others. If you have allergies to antibiotics, you should see your doctor before taking this medicine.
• You have a serious long-term illness, such as kidney, heart or liver disease.
• Talk with your health care provider if you have any of the above concerns. Also, if you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking the medicine.
If you are currently taking any other prescription medicine, ask your pharmacist about drug interactions before you take this. This includes medicine for diabetes.
Directions for taking azithromycin
This treatment is a one-time dose of medicine. Take all the pills given to you at the same time with a full glass of water and with food. This will make it less likely for you to get an upset stomach or vomit. You need to take all the medicine you were given.
Do not take antacids (like Tums®, Rolaids® or Maalox®) for 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking the pills.
Do not share your dose with others. You must take all the pills at one time.
Possible side effects
• Upset stomach.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea (runs).
• Dizziness.
• Vaginal yeast infection.
These are well-known side effects and are not serious.
Allergic reactions
Before taking this medicine, talk to your doctor if you have had a bad rash, breathing problems or other allergic reactions to this or other antibiotics. Allergic reactions are rare. Possible serious reactions may be:
• Problems breathing or tightness in the chest.
• Throat closing.
• Lips or tongue swelling.
• Hives (bumps or welts on your skin that itch badly).