Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection among young people, and one of the main reasons is that it often has no symptoms. Many teenagers feel worried when they hear that, but it doesn’t mean chlamydia is dangerous by itself – it simply means people often don’t know they have it. That’s why getting tested is so important if you’ve had unprotected sex or if something feels different in your body.

Chlamydia spreads through sex without a condom, whether vaginal, anal or sometimes oral. You can’t see if someone has it, and it has nothing to do with cleanliness, experience or personality. It’s a very common infection, especially because it spreads easily without causing discomfort.

If chlamydia goes untreated for a long time, it can irritate the reproductive organs and, in some cases, affect fertility later in life. That’s why testing matters even when you feel completely fine. Taking care of your sexual health is not overreacting – it’s being kind to your future self.

One of the most important things to know is that you’re not alone. In Sweden, young people can go to a youth clinic, where testing is free, confidential and judgment-free. The staff are used to every type of question, and you never have to explain why you’re there if you don’t want to.

Alma’s tips

If you’ve had unprotected sex even once, testing is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Chlamydia is easy to treat with antibiotics, and getting help early is simple. If you’re nervous about the process or unsure what to expect, you can always ask me or visit your nearest youth clinic. You never have to handle this on your own. Condoms are the best protection against most sexually transmitted infections, but they cannot fully protect against infections spread through skin-to-skin contact such as HPV or herpes.