It can be passed on through:

* Unprotected vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner. * Sharing sex toys * Passed from mother to baby at birth.

If it is left untreated for long enough it can cause serious damage such as problems with fertility including:

* Blocked fallopian tubes (resulting in infertility) * Miscarriage or premature birth * Ectopic pregnancy

Help and Support

Chlamydia will not go away on it’s own. However it can be simply and successfully treated with antibiotics.

If you think you have been at risk you can either talk to your GP and ask specifically for a test, or you can contact a sexual health clinic. These are also known as Genito-Urinary Medicine (GU) clinics, and are usually found at a large hospital. The clinics are free and confidential. Anyone can go; your doctor does not need to refer you.

You can find your nearest one in phone book. Or by calling: NHS Direct 0845 4647.

Sexual health help-line is available seven days a week 24 hours a day Call: 0800 567 123

No one is right or wrong all time, and in a healthy relationship mistakes are acknowledged and accepted.

Trust Although trust takes time and effort to build up, it can be destroyed in an instant. Being honest with each other and being able to speak truth without fear is a crucial part of a successful and healthy relationship.

For a relationship to be healthy, both of you need to believe in it and actively be helping to build it up.

Responsibility Both partners need to accept responsibility. Each consider various aspects before deciding and acting, protecting each other from harm and not blaming each other when things don’t go right.

Taking Care of Yourself It is important to remember that a relationship contains two individuals, and both people will be able to take care of themselves in a healthy relationship. Each will have time and space to do things they want to do, with support of their partner.

In a healthy relationship goal is for both partners to win.