Is It Serious?

For senior citizens who are past their childbearing years, chlamydia is not very serious. The most dangerous issues for chlamydia sufferers are the damage that the disease can do to a woman’s reproductive tract, and having chlamydia increases your risk for HIV and some other diseases.

What Do I Do?

If you’re concerned that you may have been exposed to chlamydia, ask your doctor to test you --and others -- for the disease. A simple urine test can detect if you have the disease. If you test positive, chlamydia can be treated easily with antibiotics. You should notify your partner or partners that you have tested positive, because they will need to be tested and treated as well, to avoid reinfecting you.

Gonorrhea

What Is It?

Gonorrhea is another common bacterial STD. As with chlamydia, gonorrhea is often asymptomatic, but for those who experience them, the symptoms include a burning sensation while urinating, inflamed or painful pelvic region, and testicular pain. Additionally, anal itching, soreness, or bleeding can all be signs of a gonorrhea infection.

Is It Serious?

Also like chlamydia, most of the dangers of gonorrhea are associated with damage to the reproductive system. However, there is a risk that gonorrhea may spread to the blood or joints, eventually leading to a life-threatening condition.

What Do I Do?

If you have experienced any of the symptoms, or if you have reason to believe you may have been exposed (such as an unprotected encounter with a new sexual partner), you can request a urine screen to find out if you've been infected.