Catch the Answers

False Chlamydia and gonorrhea can both be transmitted from one individual to another when no symptoms are present.  You cannot tell if someone is infected just by looking at them or their genitals. Many infected persons  may be unaware of their infection because STDs are often asymptomatic (without symptoms) and unrecognized. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about three-quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have NO symptoms. Both men and women may have asymptomatic (without symptoms) gonorrhea infections; symptoms will vary depending on what part of the body is infected.

False Oral contraceptives, such as birth control pills, do not provide protection against any sexually transmitted disease (STD). Spermicides do not prevent the transmission of any STD, including chlamydia and gonorrhea. Sometimes spermicides can irritate the skin of the genitals, which could increase the risk of acquiring some STDs. Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching before or after sex will not prevent the spread of chlamydia, gonorrhea, or any other STD. 

False Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

False Although medication will cure the infections, it will not repair any permanent damage caused by the diseases. Untreated chlamydia and  gonorrhea infections can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men. People who have had chlamydia and/or gonorrhea and have been treated can get the disease again if they have sexual contact with an infected person. Re-infections increase a woman's risk of serious reproductive health complications, including infertility.

False An individual can be infected with both chlamydia and gonorrhea at the same time. Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis; gonorrhea is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Both bacteria are transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex; both bacteria can dwell in the body at the same time. One urine sample or swab specimen can be tested for both chlamydia and gonorrhea. Also, the treatment prescribed for chlamydia and gonorrhea is different; one  prescription will not treat both infections.

False You cannot tell if someone is infected just by looking at them or their genitals; chlamydia and gonorrhea can be transmitted from one individual to another when no symptoms are present. Many infected persons may be unaware of their infection because STDs are often  asymptomatic (without symptoms) and unrecognized. Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about three-quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have NO symptoms. Both men and women may have asymptomatic (without symptoms) gonorrhea infections; symptoms will vary depending on what part of the body is infected.

False Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. In women, chlamydia and gonorrhea can infect the throat, urethra (urine canal), anus, uterus (womb), cervix (opening to the womb), fallopian tubes (egg canals), and the vagina. In men, chlamydia and gonorrhea can infect the throat, anus, and urethra (urine and sperm canal). Both infections can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth; babies can acquire  chlamydia and/or gonorrhea infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts.

False Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly during oral, anal, and vaginal sex, can greatly reduce the risk of chlamydia and  gonorrhea transmission. The failure of condoms to protect against STD transmission or unintended pregnancy usually results from inconsistent or incorrect use rather than manufacturing error. Using two condoms instead of one is incorrect usage of the product; the risk of slippage and disease transmission increases.  

False Consistent and correct use of male latex condoms can greatly reduce (though not eliminate) the risk of STD transmission. Condoms can be expected to provide different levels of protection for various STDs,  depending on differences in how the disease or infection is transmitted. Condoms are likely to provide greater protection against STDs that are transmitted only by genital fluids (STDs such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and HIV) than against infections that are  transmitted primarily by skin-to-skin contact, which may or may not infect areas covered by a condom (STDs such as genital herpes, human  papillomavirus [HPV]  infection, syphilis, and chancroid).

False Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Bodily fluids containing chlamydia and/or gonorrhea must be transmitted from person to person in order for an infection to occur. Therefore, a toilet seat cannot transmit chlamydia and/or gonorrhea to other toilet users. 

False Any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia can be transmitted in bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.