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Chlamydia: Symptoms, Testing and Treatment in Tucson

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Chlamydia: Symptoms, Testing and Treatment in Tucson

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 infections spread through sex. It is also one of the easiest to treat. The hard part is that it often gives no signals at all, so many people never know it is there until a test says so.

This guide explains the symptoms of chlamydia, who is encouraged to get tested and how often, how testing works, and what chlamydia treatment looks like. It also covers partners, pregnancy, and where people in Tucson can get tested for free or at low cost. The goal is plain information so you can decide what to do next.

Key takeaways

  • Most people with chlamydia have no symptoms, according to the CDC. A test is the only way to find out.
  • The CDC and the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend yearly screening for sexually active women 24 and younger, and for older women with higher chances of exposure. The CDC also recommends at least yearly screening for sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
  • The standard test is a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), done on a urine sample or a swab.
  • Is chlamydia curable? Yes. It is a bacterial infection, and a clinician can prescribe antibiotics that cure it.
  • The CDC suggests getting retested about 3 months after treatment, because repeat infection is common.
  • Pima County reported a chlamydia rate of 555 per 100,000 people in 2023, which is close to the Arizona rate of 552.5 per 100,000.
  • Pima County Health Department clinics use a sliding fee scale, and the county says nobody is turned away for inability to pay.

In this guide

  1. What chlamydia is and how common it is in Tucson
  2. Symptoms of chlamydia
  3. Who is encouraged to get tested, and how often
  4. How chlamydia testing works
  5. Is chlamydia curable? Chlamydia treatment explained
  6. Partners, pregnancy and prevention
  7. Where to get tested in Tucson
  8. Common questions

What chlamydia is and how common it is in Tucson

Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through vaginal, anal or oral sex, and it can pass from a pregnant person to a baby during birth. You do not need to have a partner who ejaculates for it to spread, and it can pass between people of any gender or orientation.

Having chlamydia says nothing about a person's character or how many partners they have had. It is a common infection, and the CDC describes it as the most frequently reported bacterial STI in the United States.

What the local numbers show

The Pima County Health Department publishes a health indicator page on sexually transmitted infections that draws on national CDC surveillance data. For 2023, it lists these rates for Pima County, with the Arizona rate for comparison:

Infection (2023)Pima County, per 100,000Arizona, per 100,000
Chlamydia555552.5
Gonorrhea172190.7
Primary and secondary syphilis26.124.1

These are reported cases. Because chlamydia so often has no symptoms, many infections are never tested for or reported, so the true number is likely higher. The Pima County HIV and STI page also states that syphilis is on the rise in the county, which is one reason clinicians often suggest testing for more than one infection at a visit.

Public health data also shows how closely these infections travel together. Someone tested for chlamydia is often offered gonorrhea, HIV and syphilis testing at the same time, depending on their situation. Ask the clinic what a visit includes.

Symptoms of chlamydia

The CDC says most people with chlamydia have no symptoms. When symptoms do show up, they usually appear a few weeks after exposure, but they can be mild, can come and go, or can be mistaken for something else, such as a urinary tract infection or a yeast infection.

Because symptoms cannot confirm or rule out chlamydia, only a test can tell you whether you have it. The lists below describe what the CDC says some people notice.

Symptoms in people with a vagina or cervix

  • An unusual vaginal discharge
  • A burning feeling when urinating
  • Pain during sex, or bleeding between periods or after sex
  • Lower abdominal or pelvic pain

The infection usually starts in the cervix. If it is not treated, it can travel upward, which is discussed under complications below.

Symptoms in people with a penis

  • Discharge from the tip of 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 can infect the rectum after receptive anal sex. The CDC notes that rectal infections may cause rectal pain, discharge or bleeding, but they often cause nothing at all.

Throat infections from oral sex also usually cause no symptoms. The CDC guidelines say there is not enough evidence to recommend routine screening of the throat for chlamydia. A clinician can talk with you about which sites make sense to test based on the kinds of sex you have.

Eye infections

Chlamydia can infect the eye if infected fluid reaches it. This can cause redness, irritation or discharge. Eye symptoms have many causes, so a clinician can sort out what is going on.

When untreated chlamydia causes problems

Untreated chlamydia is the reason clinicians stress testing, even when someone feels fine. According to the CDC:

  • In people with a cervix, the infection can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to long-term pelvic pain, trouble getting pregnant, and ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy that starts outside the uterus.
  • In people with testicles, chlamydia can cause epididymitis, an inflammation near the testicle that can cause pain and swelling.
  • Chlamydia can contribute to reactive arthritis, a type of joint inflammation, in some people.
  • A baby born to a person with untreated chlamydia can develop an eye infection or pneumonia.

These outcomes are what treatment aims to prevent. Because the infection is curable, finding it early matters.

Seek care promptly if you have severe pelvic or abdominal pain, fever with pelvic pain, or sudden testicle pain and swelling. Those symptoms need a clinician or emergency department rather than a wait-and-see approach.

Who is encouraged to get tested, and how often

Because symptoms are unreliable, screening guidelines are based on groups of people rather than on how someone feels. Screening means testing someone who has no symptoms. Here is what the main health authorities recommend.

Sexually active women and other people with a cervix

The USPSTF recommends screening for chlamydia in sexually active women 24 years or younger, and in women 25 or older who are at increased risk. The CDC's 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines say the same, with yearly screening for sexually active women under 25. The CDC describes higher chances of exposure as including a new sex partner, more than one partner, a partner who has other partners, or a partner with an STI.

The CDC also recommends screening for pregnant people. Under its guidelines, all pregnant women under 25 and older pregnant women at increased risk should be screened at the first prenatal visit, and those who are under 25 or at risk should be screened again in the third trimester.

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men

The CDC recommends at least yearly chlamydia screening for sexually active men who have sex with men, tested at the sites of contact, such as urine, rectum and sometimes throat. The CDC advises screening every 3 to 6 months for those at increased risk, such as people with multiple or anonymous partners.

Transgender and gender-diverse people

The CDC guidelines say screening should be based on the anatomy a person has and on their sexual behaviors, not on gender identity alone. For example, a transgender man who has a cervix can be considered under the same recommendations as other people with a cervix. A clinician who is familiar with your history can help work out which tests fit.

Men who have sex only with women

The USPSTF has said there is not enough evidence to weigh the benefits and harms of routine screening in men who have sex only with women. The CDC says clinicians can consider screening in settings with a high rate of infection. That does not mean testing is unavailable. Anyone can ask a clinician for a test.

Anyone with symptoms or a partner who tested positive

People who notice possible symptoms, or who learn that a recent partner was diagnosed with chlamydia, are encouraged by the CDC to be evaluated and tested. A clinician can also talk with you about whether to begin treatment before results come back, depending on the situation.

How chlamydia testing works

The CDC recommends nucleic acid amplification tests, or NAATs, for chlamydia. A NAAT looks for the genetic material of the bacteria. It is the most sensitive type of test available for this infection.

What samples are used

  • Vaginal swab: The CDC says this is the preferred sample for people with a vagina. It can often be collected by the person themselves in a private restroom, and studies show self-collected swabs perform about as well as swabs taken by a clinician.
  • First-catch urine: This is the preferred sample for people with a penis. First-catch means the first part of the stream, not midstream. Urine can also be used for people with a vagina.
  • Rectal swab: Used if there has been receptive anal sex.
  • Throat swab: Used in some situations, based on the clinician's judgment.

The CDC suggests that people avoid urinating for a period before a urine test, because that can wash the bacteria away. The clinic will tell you how long to wait.

What to expect at the visit

A visit for chlamydia testing is usually short. You may be asked about symptoms, recent partners and the kinds of sex you have, so the clinician can choose the right tests. These questions are routine and are asked of everyone. You can ask any question you like in return, and you can ask for results to be explained in plain language.

How long results take depends on the clinic and the lab. Ask when you check in, and ask how you will be contacted, so you do not miss a call.

What about timing after exposure?

The CDC does not publish a single waiting period for chlamydia testing that applies to everyone. If you are worried about a recent exposure, tell the clinician when it happened. They can explain whether a test now is useful and whether a repeat test later makes sense.

Reading a result

A negative result means the test did not find chlamydia in the sample that was tested. A positive result means the test found it, and a clinician will explain the next steps. Either way, the person who ordered the test is the right one to interpret what the result means for you.

Testing after treatment

The CDC says routine follow-up testing to confirm a cure is not needed for most non-pregnant people who take their treatment as prescribed. There are two exceptions the CDC calls out. One is pregnancy, where a test about 4 weeks after treatment is recommended. The other is when symptoms continue or when a clinician is concerned that treatment was not taken as directed.

Everyone is encouraged to retest about 3 months after treatment. This is not because treatment usually fails. It is because getting infected again is common, often from an untreated partner. The CDC advises retesting at about 3 months for all people treated for chlamydia, whether or not they think they might have been re-exposed.

Is chlamydia curable? Chlamydia treatment explained

Yes. Chlamydia is curable. It is a bacterial infection, and antibiotics prescribed by a clinician clear it. This is different from viral infections like HIV, herpes and HPV, which are treatable and manageable but not curable.

What a clinician prescribes

Chlamydia treatment is a course of antibiotics prescribed by a clinician. The CDC's 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines list doxycycline as the recommended antibiotic for most adults and adolescents, with other antibiotics as alternatives. Pregnancy and certain medical situations call for a different choice, so tell the clinician if you are pregnant or might be.

This guide does not give doses or schedules, because those are decided by the clinician who prescribes the treatment based on your health, other medicines and test results. Take the medicine exactly as prescribed, and finish it even if you feel better.

Antibiotics are the only effective chlamydia treatment. Home remedies, supplements and over-the-counter products do not cure it.

What to expect during treatment

  • Symptoms, if you had any, often improve within days, but this varies.
  • Ask the clinician how long to avoid sex. The CDC advises avoiding sex until treatment is complete and until any partners have also been treated, so the infection is not passed back and forth.
  • Tell the clinician about any other medicines you take and about any side effects you notice. Do not stop treatment on your own without calling them.
  • Treatment cures the infection, but it does not reverse damage that was already done. That is another reason early treatment is the goal.
  • Being cured does not make you immune. You can get chlamydia again.

If symptoms continue

If symptoms last after treatment, go back to the clinician. Other infections or conditions can cause similar symptoms, and a repeat evaluation can sort out what is happening. The CDC notes that persistent symptoms may also be a sign of re-exposure from an untreated partner.

Partners, pregnancy and prevention

Telling partners

Telling a partner can feel awkward, but it protects both of you. The CDC recommends that sex partners from the 60 days before symptoms started, or before the test was taken if there were no symptoms, be evaluated, tested and treated. If you have not had sex in the last 60 days, the CDC says to contact the most recent partner.

You can say something simple, such as: I tested positive for chlamydia, it is curable, and I would like you to get tested too. A clinic can help you plan this conversation, and the health department can sometimes notify partners without naming you. Ask the clinic what options it offers.

Expedited partner therapy in Arizona

Expedited partner therapy, or EPT, means a clinician may provide treatment for a partner of a patient with chlamydia without examining the partner first. The CDC publishes a legal status page for each state. For Arizona, the CDC page cites A.R.S. Sec. 32-1401, which excludes prescriptions written, or antimicrobials dispensed, to a contact with significant exposure from the definition of unprofessional conduct. It also points to other licensing rules, including one for nurse practitioners.

In plain terms, Arizona law as described by the CDC allows clinicians to do this. Whether a particular clinic offers EPT is that clinic's decision, so ask when you are treated. If EPT is not offered, partners can be tested and treated on their own at any of the clinics listed below.

Chlamydia and pregnancy

Pregnant people are included in the CDC's screening recommendations because untreated chlamydia can be passed to a baby at birth. Treatment during pregnancy is safe when a clinician chooses an appropriate antibiotic. Tell the prenatal provider if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, and follow the testing schedule they suggest, including a repeat test about 4 weeks after treatment and another within 3 months.

Arizona law requires a different test in pregnancy. A.R.S. Sec. 36-693 says a physician tests a pregnant woman's blood for syphilis at the first prenatal exam, and the state laboratory performs that test without charge. That law covers syphilis, not chlamydia, but it shows why prenatal visits are a good time to ask which infections are being checked. Pima County also reported 53 confirmed congenital syphilis cases in 2024, according to AZPM News, which is a reminder that prenatal testing matters.

Lowering the chance of chlamydia

The CDC lists several ways to lower the chance of getting or passing chlamydia:

  • Using condoms or dental dams for vaginal, anal and oral sex. Used consistently and correctly, condoms lower the chance of chlamydia, though they do not remove it entirely.
  • Getting tested regularly and talking with partners about testing.
  • Having a conversation with a partner about results before having sex.
  • Finishing treatment, and making sure partners are treated, so the infection does not return.
  • Avoiding sex until treatment is complete.

Doxy-PEP and what it does and does not cover

In 2024, the CDC issued guidance on doxycycline taken after sex, called doxy-PEP, as a way to lower the chance of bacterial STIs. The guidance is for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and transgender women, who have had a bacterial STI such as chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis in the past 12 months. The CDC found that it lowers the chance of chlamydia and syphilis, with less benefit shown for gonorrhea.

Doxy-PEP is a prescription decision made with a clinician. It does not prevent HIV, and it does not replace regular testing. The Pima County materials in our research do not say which local clinics offer doxy-PEP, so ask a clinic directly. The University of Arizona Campus Health page and the Pima County page both say clinicians prescribe PrEP, which is separate and prevents HIV.

Where to get tested in Tucson

Tucson has public health clinics, community nonprofits, community health centers and a campus clinic. Details change, so the clinics themselves are the best source for current hours and fees. Call before you go.

For a fuller side-by-side comparison of Tucson options and prices, see our guide to where to get tested in Tucson and what it costs.

Pima County Health Department

The Pima County Health Department offers HIV and STI services at two clinics. According to the county's HIV and STI page, fees follow a sliding scale based on income, nobody is turned away for inability to pay, and minors do not need parental consent.

  • Theresa Lee Public Health Center, 1493 W. Commerce Court, Tucson, AZ 85746. Phone 520-724-7900. The county's Clinic Hours page lists HIV and STI testing as by appointment only and Saturday as closed. It also says there are no services from noon to 1 p.m. daily, and the clinic is closed the first Thursday of every month. The county's HIV and STI page describes walk-in service, so the two county pages do not fully agree. Call to confirm before you go.
  • Pima County Northwest Clinic, 1010 W. Miracle Mile, Tucson, AZ 85705. Phone 520-724-2880. The county's Clinic Hours page lists HIV and STI testing here but does not give hours for it. The same county-wide rules apply: no services from noon to 1 p.m., and closed the first Thursday of every month. The county says walk-in services are available as capacity allows, so call first.

Both sites also list PrEP starter packs and navigation.

Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF Health)

SAAF is at 375 S. Euclid Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719. Phone 520-628-7223, or toll-free 800-771-9054. SAAF's own testing page says making an appointment is the best option, and it lists a Wednesday evening walk-in window from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Testing hours listed are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:15 a.m. to noon, and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 1:15 to 5:00 p.m.

The CDC's GetTested directory lists SAAF as offering free HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and STI tests, including chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, with an appointment. SAAF's own testing page focuses on HIV, so contact SAAF to confirm that chlamydia testing is available and to ask about eligibility.

Planned Parenthood Southern Arizona Regional Health Center

This center is at 2255 N Wyatt Dr, Tucson, AZ 85712. Phone 520-408-7526. A 211 Arizona listing shows hours of Monday, Tuesday and Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and says walk-ins are accepted. The listing says fees vary. Other directories show a different phone number and different hours, so confirm by phone before you go.

El Rio Health

El Rio Health is a community health center. The CDC's GetTested directory lists two Tucson sites that offer chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis testing by appointment, and it says to contact the organization about eligibility.

  • El Rio Health, Congress Street, 839 W Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85745. Phone 520-670-3909. The CDC listing notes that sliding scale payment is accepted, and it does not list hours.
  • El Rio Health Southeast Campus, 6950 E Golf Links Rd, Tucson, AZ 85730. Phone 520-670-3909. El Rio's website lists general health center hours of Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., which are not specific to STI visits. The websites do not publish fee amounts, so ask when you call.

El Rio's own pages did not confirm STI services at these sites, so call to confirm what is offered.

University of Arizona Campus Health Service

For UA students, Campus Health offers Express STI Testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia for people without symptoms. The page lists a flat fee of $65 that is not billed to insurance, and no appointment is needed. Hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with Wednesday starting at 9:00 a.m. Phone 520-621-9202. People with symptoms are asked to call to schedule. This service is for students only.

Other free testing options

The CDC's GetTested locator lets you search by ZIP code for testing sites, and it is a good place to check for newer listings.

Get Tested AZ, run by Aunt Rita's and HIV AZ with Southwest Center, offers free at-home HIV test kits after a short survey. Its page does not mention Tucson or Pima County, does not state eligibility rules, and does not list an at-home chlamydia kit. It says free STI testing is done in person through Sonora Quest Laboratories, with possible eligibility requirements. Visit gettestedaz.org to see what applies to you.

Cost, insurance and privacy

  • Cost: The Pima County clinics use a sliding fee scale based on income. SAAF is listed as free by the CDC directory. Planned Parenthood says fees vary. El Rio accepts sliding scale payment. If a clinic's page does not list a price, ask when you call.
  • Insurance: Several clinics accept insurance or Medicaid. Ask the clinic what your plan covers, and ask about options if you would rather not use insurance.
  • Minors: Arizona law, A.R.S. Sec. 44-132.01, says a minor who may have a venereal disease can consent to medical care for its diagnosis or treatment, and a parent's or guardian's consent is not required. Pima County also states that minors do not need parental consent at its clinics.
  • Reporting: Arizona's A.R.S. Sec. 36-621 requires that certain contagious diseases be reported to health authorities. Clinics and labs handle that reporting. It is a routine public health step that helps track trends, and you can ask the clinic what it means for you.

Common questions

Can chlamydia go away on its own?

The CDC does not recommend waiting. An infection can stay in the body without symptoms and can cause harm, such as PID, while unnoticed. A test and treatment from a clinician are how it is cleared.

Is chlamydia curable if I have had it before?

Yes. Each infection can be treated, and a past infection does not protect you from getting it again. That is the main reason for the 3-month retest the CDC suggests.

Does chlamydia treatment work for rectal or throat infections?

The CDC guidelines include recommendations for infections at different body sites, and a clinician chooses the treatment that fits the site and your health. Mention the kinds of sex you have so the right samples are taken.

Can I get tested if I have no symptoms?

Yes. Screening exists for exactly that reason. Clinics in Tucson see people without symptoms every day, and nobody needs a reason beyond wanting to know.

Will chlamydia affect my ability to have children?

Treated promptly, chlamydia typically does not. The CDC warns that repeated or untreated infections in people with a cervix can lead to PID, which can affect fertility. A clinician can answer questions specific to your situation.

What should I bring to a clinic?

Call ahead and ask. A photo ID, an insurance card if you have one, and a list of any medicines you take are usually helpful, but the clinic can tell you what it needs. Do not let missing paperwork stop you from calling.

What is the next step?

If you are due for screening, have symptoms, or learned that a partner tested positive, the next step is to book a test. Call one of the Tucson clinics above, or use the CDC GetTested locator at gettested.cdc.gov to find another site. Chlamydia is curable, and getting tested is the way to find out where you stand.

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