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, and it is also one of the easiest to treat. The hard part is that it often gives no signal at all. Many people learn about it only because a test was done.

This guide explains the symptoms of chlamydia, who is advised to be tested and how often, how the test works, and what chlamydia treatment looks like. It also covers partner treatment, retesting, and where to find free or low-cost testing in Miami. It is written for every gender, orientation and relationship style.

Key takeaways

The CDC says most people with chlamydia have no symptoms, so testing is the only way to find out.
Chlamydia is curable. A clinician prescribes antibiotics, and treatment works for the large majority of people who complete it as directed.
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 risk. The CDC recommends at least yearly screening for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
The standard test is a NAAT, done on a urine sample or a swab. Many people can collect the sample themselves.
The CDC recommends retesting about three months after treatment, because repeat infections are common.
In Miami-Dade, the Florida Department of Health and several community clinics offer free or low-cost testing. Details are in the clinic section below.

What chlamydia is and how common it is in Miami

Chlamydia is an infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through vaginal, anal or oral sex, and it can pass from a pregnant person to a baby during birth. It does not require ejaculation to spread.

The CDC describes chlamydia as the most commonly reported bacterial STI in the United States. It affects people of every gender and orientation. Having it says nothing about a person's character or choices. It says that a common bacterium was passed along, which can happen in any relationship.

What the Miami-Dade numbers show

The Florida Department of Health publishes case counts through FLHealthCHARTS. For 2025, it lists Miami-Dade County at 471.5 chlamydia cases per 100,000 residents, which is 13,271 reported cases. The statewide figure for Florida that year is 410.8 per 100,000, or 96,044 cases.

These are reported cases, not total infections. Because most chlamydia has no symptoms, the true number depends on how many people are tested. The figures are best read as a sign that testing and treatment matter here, not as a measure of risk for any one person.

For comparison, FLHealthCHARTS lists gonorrhea in Miami-Dade at 250.5 per 100,000 in 2025, against 156.5 per 100,000 statewide. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are often tested together, and the two are covered in the same CDC guidance.

Chlamydia is reportable in Florida

Chlamydia is on the Florida Department of Health's list of reportable conditions for practitioners. Clinicians and labs send positive results to the health department under Florida Administrative Code Rule 64D-3.029. This is routine public-health reporting, and it is how the state tracks trends and plans services.

Symptoms of chlamydia

The CDC says most people with chlamydia have no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they often show up several weeks after infection, and they can be mild enough to pass for something else.

Because the symptoms of chlamydia overlap with other conditions, including other STIs and urinary tract infections, symptoms alone cannot confirm or rule out chlamydia. Only a test can show what is going on.

Symptoms by body site

Body site	Symptoms the CDC describes
Cervix and vagina	Unusual vaginal discharge, burning when urinating, bleeding between periods or after sex, lower abdominal or pelvic pain
Penis and urethra	Discharge from the penis, burning when urinating, pain or swelling in one or both testicles
Rectum	Rectal pain, discharge or bleeding. Many people have none of these.
Throat	Usually no symptoms
Eyes	Redness, irritation or discharge, which can happen if infected fluid reaches the eye

Anyone, of any gender, can have infection at more than one site at once. A person's anatomy and the kinds of sex they have decide which sites matter, not their identity.

Why untreated chlamydia matters

The main reason to find chlamydia early is what it can do over time if no one treats it. The CDC reports that in women, untreated chlamydia can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to long-term pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and difficulty getting pregnant.

In people with a penis, untreated infection can sometimes cause epididymitis, which is painful inflammation near the testicle. Chlamydia can also trigger reactive arthritis in some people of any gender.

During pregnancy, untreated chlamydia can be passed to the baby at delivery. The CDC notes this can cause eye infection or pneumonia in newborns. These problems are largely preventable, which is why prenatal testing is routine in Florida (see below).

When to see a clinician sooner

Anyone with new discharge, burning with urination, pelvic or testicular pain, rectal symptoms, or a partner who has been told they have an STI can contact a clinic or the health department. Severe lower abdominal pain, fever, or pain with pregnancy needs prompt medical attention.

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County lists 305-470-5660 on its sexually transmitted infection page for questions. The clinic scheduling number is covered in the Miami section below.

Who should be tested, and how often

Since chlamydia is so often silent, testing guidance is based on groups, not on symptoms. The recommendations below come from the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) and the USPSTF.

Sexually active women and others with a cervix

Both the CDC and the USPSTF recommend yearly chlamydia screening for sexually active women 24 and younger. The CDC and USPSTF also recommend screening for women 25 and older who have risk factors, such as a new partner, more than one partner, a partner who has other partners, or a partner who has had an STI.

Men who have sex with men

The CDC recommends that sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men be screened at least once a year for chlamydia, at the sites of contact. Testing at the penis and rectum is advised depending on the kind of sex. The CDC suggests more frequent screening, every three to six months, for those at higher risk, such as people with multiple or anonymous partners.

Transgender and gender-diverse people

The CDC advises that screening decisions follow a person's current anatomy and sexual behavior. A transgender man who has a cervix and a transgender woman who has a penis or a neovagina each fall under the guidance that matches those body parts and the kinds of sex they have. A clinician can help work out which sites to test.

People who are pregnant

The CDC recommends chlamydia screening for pregnant women 24 and younger and for older pregnant women at increased risk. Florida goes further for prenatal care. Under Florida Administrative Code Rule 64D-3.042, practitioners providing prenatal care must test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis at the first prenatal exam and again at 28 to 32 weeks. A patient may decline in writing.

People with HIV

The CDC recommends chlamydia screening at the first HIV care visit and at least yearly afterward for sexually active people with HIV, with more frequent testing based on risk.

Heterosexual men

The USPSTF has concluded that evidence is not yet enough to recommend for or against routine screening in sexually active men who are not at increased risk. The CDC says clinicians should consider screening young men in settings where infection is common, and men with symptoms or a partner with chlamydia should be tested. Anyone who is unsure can ask a clinician what fits their situation.

Other reasons to test

A clinician may also suggest a test after a new partner, after a partner receives a diagnosis, when starting a new relationship, or any time someone simply wants to know their status. Testing is a normal part of sexual health care.

How chlamydia testing works

The CDC recommends a nucleic acid amplification test, or NAAT, as the preferred test for chlamydia. A NAAT looks for the genetic material of the bacterium and is the most sensitive type of test available.

What the sample looks like

The sample depends on the person and the sites being tested:

Urine: a first-catch urine sample is an accepted sample for people with a penis.
Vaginal swab: the CDC lists this as the preferred sample for women. Studies support self-collection, so you can often do it yourself in a private room at the clinic.
Rectal swab: used when receptive anal sex has occurred or when rectal symptoms are present.
Throat swab: chlamydia testing of the throat is not routinely recommended in the CDC's 2021 guidelines, while throat testing for gonorrhea is advised for some people. A clinician can explain which applies.

Testing does not usually involve a pelvic exam or any drawn blood. Many people are surprised by how quick it is.

Timing after a possible exposure

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines do not set one universal waiting time that fits everyone. If you had a recent exposure, a clinician or the health department can tell you whether to test right away, retest later, or both. You can also be treated based on a partner's diagnosis without waiting for your own result, which a clinician will decide.

Results and what comes next

Results often take a few days, though turnaround varies by clinic and lab. Ask the clinic how and when you will hear back. A negative result applies to the sites tested at that time. A positive result is followed by a prescription. Either way, a visit is a good moment to ask about HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and hepatitis testing as well, since the CDC recommends offering other relevant tests together.

Privacy

Clinics keep test results confidential under health privacy law. Florida law also protects minors, as described in the Miami section. As noted above, confirmed cases are reported to the health department as public-health data.

Is chlamydia curable? Chlamydia treatment explained

Yes. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, and the CDC says it can be cured with antibiotics. The question "is chlamydia curable" has a reassuring answer, as long as treatment is prescribed and completed.

What clinicians prescribe

Treatment is a prescription from a clinician. The CDC's 2021 guidelines list doxycycline as the recommended antibiotic for most adults and adolescents. Alternative antibiotics exist for people who cannot take it, and a different choice is used during pregnancy. Which drug, how much, and for how long are decisions for the prescribing clinician, based on your health, allergies, other medicines and pregnancy status.

Over-the-counter products and leftover antibiotics do not treat chlamydia, and taking someone else's prescription is not a substitute for a visit.

Finish the whole course

Take every dose the clinician prescribes, even if symptoms fade quickly. Stopping early can leave the infection in place. If you miss doses, have side effects, or have questions about interactions with other medicines, call the prescribing clinic or a pharmacist.

Sex during treatment

The CDC advises avoiding sex until treatment is complete and any symptoms have resolved, so the infection is not passed on or picked up again. Your clinician will tell you exactly when it is safe to resume. This also applies to partners who are being treated.

Does treatment reverse damage?

Antibiotics clear the infection, but they cannot undo scarring that has already happened. This is why finding chlamydia early, through routine screening, makes such a difference. If you were told you had PID or other complications, follow-up care is part of treatment.

Treatment in pregnancy

Chlamydia in pregnancy is treatable. The CDC recommends a follow-up test after treatment during pregnancy to confirm the infection is gone, and another test in the months afterward. A prenatal care provider will guide the plan.

Chlamydia does not go away on its own reliably

Sometimes the immune system clears the bacteria, but this cannot be counted on, and the infection may continue without symptoms and keep spreading. That is why the CDC emphasizes treatment rather than waiting.

Partners, retesting and prevention

Telling partners

Telling a partner can feel awkward, but it protects them and prevents you from being reinfected. The CDC advises that anyone who had sex with the person in the 60 days before symptoms began, or before the diagnosis if there were no symptoms, should be tested and treated. If the last sexual contact was longer ago, the most recent partner should be evaluated.

A calm, simple opening works well: "I tested positive for chlamydia. It's treatable, and I wanted you to know so you can get tested too." No blame is needed, since it is common and often passed on without anyone knowing.

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County can help with questions about notifying partners. Its sexually transmitted infection page lists 305-470-5660.

Expedited partner therapy in Florida

Expedited partner therapy, or EPT, means a clinician may give a patient a prescription or medicine for a partner without examining the partner first. Florida law allows it under Fla. Stat. § 384.27, in effect since July 1, 2016. According to the CDC's legal status page for Florida, the conditions are:

the patient has a lab-confirmed or suspected clinical diagnosis of an STD,
the patient reports sexual activity with the partner, and
the partner is unable or unlikely to seek clinical services in a timely manner.

Pharmacists may dispense EPT prescriptions, and the drug label must carry the patient's name under § 465.186. Whether EPT is offered in a given visit is the clinician's decision. Where possible, the CDC still prefers that partners be examined and tested, because they can also be checked for other infections.

Retesting at three months

The CDC recommends retesting about three months after treatment, even if you feel well and even if you are sure your partners were treated. Reinfection is common, and repeat infections raise the risk of complications such as PID. If a three-month test is not possible, the CDC advises retesting at the next visit within the following 12 months.

A "test of cure" a few weeks after treatment is not routine for most people, because the test can pick up leftover genetic material from bacteria that are no longer alive. The exception is pregnancy, as described above, where a clinician will advise on timing.

Prevention

The CDC states that latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, lower the risk of chlamydia. Barrier methods used for oral sex also reduce risk. Regular testing and open conversations with partners all help.

For some gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and for transgender women, the CDC's 2024 guidance on doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP) applies. The CDC recommends that clinicians discuss doxy-PEP with people in these groups who have had a bacterial STI such as syphilis, chlamydia or gonorrhea in the past 12 months. It is a prescription taken after sex that lowers the chance of bacterial STIs, including chlamydia. The guidance does not currently recommend it for cisgender women, since evidence is limited.

This guide did not find a published list of Miami doxy-PEP providers. Ask a primary care clinician or one of the clinics below. Pridelines' Thrivelines page lists PrEP, PEP and doxy-PEP as navigation to outside prescribers, not on-site prescribing.

Florida's disclosure law

Florida law, Fla. Stat. § 384.24(1), says a person who knows they have chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or genital herpes, and has been told they can transmit it, may not have sex with another person unless that person has been informed and consents. Under § 384.34(1), a violation is a first-degree misdemeanor. In practice, this is another reason to tell partners and to complete treatment before having sex again. A lawyer or the health department can answer legal questions.

Where to get tested in Miami

Miami has several places that test for chlamydia at free or reduced cost. Each clinic below is listed with what its own page or its CDC GetTested listing says. Hours and services can change, so call before you go. The CDC's GetTested locator lets you search by ZIP code.

For a broader walk-through of the testing options in the city, including what different visits cost, see our guide to STD testing in Miami.

Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County

The health department runs two STI clinic sites. Appointments are made through 305-575-3800. The department's STI page says: "We offer low or no-cost testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV." The page does not publish a fee schedule, and its HIV prevention page separately describes free prevention education and testing. Ask when you call what applies to you.

Health District Center: 1350 NW 14th St., Suite 350, Miami, FL 33125. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closing at noon on the 1st and 3rd Fridays.
West Perrine Health Center: 18255 Homestead Ave., Miami, FL 33157. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closing at noon on 3rd Fridays.

The pages do not say whether walk-ins are accepted, so call 305-575-3800 first.

Community health centers and other clinics

Clinic	Address and phone	What the listings say
Care Resource, Midtown Miami	3510 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33137. 305-576-1234	CDC GetTested lists free STI and HIV tests with no appointment required. Testing hours listed as Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Care Resource also states a sliding fee scale for uninsured and underinsured clients and accepts most insurance.
Care Resource, Little Havana	1800 S.W. 1st Street, Miami, FL 33135. 305-576-1234	Lists no-cost rapid HIV testing. The pages do not state STI testing at this site, so ask before visiting.
Borinquen Medical Centers, Main Office	3601 Federal Hwy, Miami, FL 33137. 305-576-6611	CDC GetTested lists HIV and STI tests as free, with no appointment required. Accepts insurance, Medicaid and Medicare, and lists a sliding scale.
Jessie Trice Community Health System, Main Center	5361 NW 22nd Ave, Miami, FL 33147. 305-637-6400	CDC GetTested lists chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV tests, a sliding scale, and no appointment required. No free services are listed, so ask about cost.
UM Rapid Access Wellness Clinic and PrEP Program	1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL 33136. 305-243-2584	CDC GetTested lists STI and HIV tests as free. An appointment is required.
Pridelines (Thrivelines Health), Miami Beach	1130 Washington Ave, First Floor, Miami Beach, FL 33139. 305-571-9601	An LGBTQ+ community center in Miami Beach, not the City of Miami. Its page describes HIV testing as free and confidential. Ask what STI testing is available on a given day. Mobile testing runs across Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe.

Several of these entries rely on CDC GetTested listings, which note that hours can change. Confirm hours and costs with the clinic.

Home HIV testing

Chlamydia testing is done at a clinic, but if you also want an HIV test, two no-cost home options exist for Miami-Dade residents. The health department offers a free HIV home test kit to residents of the county. Care Resource offers a no-cost HIV home test for ages 14 and older who live in Miami-Dade or Broward, are not HIV-positive, and have not tested in the last three months. Care Resource takes orders online or at 305-576-1234, extension 352.

Minors and confidentiality

Under Fla. Stat. § 384.30, any minor in Florida may consent to examination and treatment for sexually transmissible diseases, with no minimum age. The statute also makes a minor's consultation, examination and treatment confidential and bars disclosure, directly or indirectly, such as by billing a parent or guardian. It applies to the Department of Health, licensed physicians and other licensed professionals, and qualified public or private health facilities.

Costs and insurance

Costs vary by site and by insurance. Where a clinic does not publish a price, its page says so. When you call, ask whether the visit is free, whether a sliding fee applies, and whether the lab fee is billed separately. Ask about confidential billing if you are covered on someone else's plan.

Common questions

Can chlamydia go away without treatment?

It may clear in some people, but this cannot be relied on. Because the infection can cause lasting problems and can pass to others without anyone noticing, the CDC advises testing and treatment rather than waiting.

If I have no symptoms of chlamydia, is testing still useful?

Yes. The CDC says most people with chlamydia have no symptoms, and screening recommendations exist because of this. A test shows what symptoms cannot.

Can I get chlamydia again after treatment?

Yes. Treatment cures the infection, but it does not give lasting protection. Reinfection can happen if a partner is untreated or a new partner has the infection. That is why the CDC recommends a retest about three months after treatment.

Can chlamydia be passed through oral sex?

Yes, though throat infections are less common than genital or rectal ones, and they usually have no symptoms. A clinician can advise on which sites to test based on the kinds of sex you have.

Does chlamydia affect fertility?

The CDC says untreated chlamydia can lead to PID and, over time, to difficulty getting pregnant in women. Early testing and treatment lower this risk. Anyone with questions about fertility can talk with a clinician.

Is chlamydia the same as gonorrhea?

No. They are caused by different bacteria, but they have similar symptoms and are often tested together. Both are curable with antibiotics from a clinician.

Do I need to stop my other medicines during treatment?

Do not stop any medicine without asking the clinician or pharmacist. Tell them everything you take, so they can check for interactions.

What if I cannot get to a clinic this week?

Call a site from the list above or use the CDC's GetTested locator to find another. If symptoms are severe, such as strong pelvic pain, fever, or pain during pregnancy, seek urgent medical care.

Next step

If you are due for a test, choose a clinic from the Miami list and call ahead about hours and cost. Testing is a short visit that brings clear answers, and if treatment is needed, it is straightforward.

Chlamydia: Symptoms, Testing and Treatment in Miami