Chlamydia and LGV guide: Prevention and control

Prevention and control of Chlamydia trachomatis infections (including lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)).

On this page

• General Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) prevention and control
• Prevention and control of C. trachomatis
• References

General Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) prevention and control

Case finding, education, counselling, partner notification and treatment are critical to control infection.

Healthcare providers should offer STBBI screening as part of their clinical prevention and control strategies. Since many STBBIs are frequently asymptomatic and can lead to serious complications if left undiagnosed and untreated, offer STBBI screening in the course of routine medical care, with special attention to those with risk factors. Normalizing screening in this way can reduce barriers to screening/testing and stigma associated with STBBI.

Integrate STBBI prevention strategies such as counselling, vaccination and education on preventive practices into care. Motivational interviewing may be used to identify barriers to prevention practices and the means to overcome them.

Offer vaccination for hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis A (HAV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) to people at risk of these infections as per the Canadian Immunization Guide.

Partner notification has public health benefits (e.g. disease surveillance and control) and reduces the risk of reinfection for the index case.

Prevention and control of C. trachomatis

Measures to prevent and control the transmission of C. trachomatis include counselling, prompt diagnosis and treatment of the person and their sexual partners.

Counsel people with suspected or confirmed C. trachomatis about:

• Consistent practice of safer sex (e.g. use of barrier methods for vaginal, anal and oral sex, cleaning toys prior to use and avoiding sharing sex toys).^{Footnote 1}
• Possibility of reinfection
• Vulnerability to other STBBIs
• The importance of STBBI screening
• Prevention of reproductive sequelae
• Potential for transmission to sexual partners
• The importance of treatment
• Avoiding sexual contact with untreated partners
• The benefits of partner notification

Counsel those with suspected or confirmed LGV about:

• Minimizing or avoiding sexual activities associated with mucosal damage which could facilitate transmission (e.g. fisting)^{Footnote 2}

C. trachomatis in infants can be avoided by screening and treating pregnant persons before delivery.^{Footnote 3}

References