Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)

Each year, there are about 20 million new STD infections in the United States. Anyone who is sexually active, including oral sex, can get an STD. Get the facts about STDs below.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common STD in the United States that is easy to cure with the right medicine. It is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. Anyone who is sexually active can get chlamydia, by having vaginal, oral or anal sex. Most people who have chlamydia don’t know it, since the disease often has no symptoms. This is why it is important to get tested regularly if you are sexually active, and get treated if you are infected. Chlamydia can make it difficult for a woman to get pregnant if left untreated; it can also cause discharge from the penis of an infected man.

You can get infected with chlamydia again after being treated if you have unprotected sex with someone with the infection.

Learn more

Get Tested

For more information on STD testing, visit our testing page.  To find a testing site near you, use the locator to the right.  For testing or other health services at a local health department, click here.  For specific questions about STDs or testing locations call the Virginia Disease Prevention Hotline at (800) 533-4148.

Last Updated: April 13, 2023