[UPDATE] Chlamydia vs. Gonorrhea: Symptoms, Testing & Treatment
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most common STIs in the U.S. — and they’re easy to mix up. Both are bacterial infections spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex; both often cause no symptoms; and both can be cured with antibiotics. The main difference is the bacteria that cause them: chlamydia is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, and gonorrhea by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Chlamydia vs. Gonorrhea: How They Compare
| Chlamydia | Gonorrhea | |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria | Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria |
| Reported U.S. cases (2024, provisional) | About 1.5 million | About 543,000 |
| How it spreads | Vaginal, anal or oral sex | Vaginal, anal or oral sex |
| Symptoms | Often none | Often none |
| Testing | Urine test or swab | Urine test or swab (including throat or rectum) |
| Treatment (CDC) | Antibiotic pills for 7 days | One antibiotic injection |
| Curable? | Yes | Yes |
| Retest | About 3 months after treatment | About 3 months after treatment |
Symptoms to Watch For in Each Infection
Many people with chlamydia or gonorrhea feel completely fine. When symptoms do show up, they’re very similar for both:
- Pain, itching or burning when you pee
- Unusual discharge from the vagina or penis
- Pelvic pain or pain during sex
- Bleeding between periods
- Painful or swollen testicles
- Rectal pain, bleeding or discharge
- A sore throat after oral sex (more often with gonorrhea)
Because the symptoms overlap — and are often missing — only a test can tell you which infection you have.
Testing and Diagnosis Options in New Jersey
Testing is simple: usually a urine sample or a swab of the vagina, throat or rectum. The CDC recommends that all sexually active women under 25 get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea every year, along with women 25 and older who have new or multiple partners. Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men should test at least yearly.
NJFPL-supported health centers in all 21 counties offer confidential testing and treatment that is free or low-cost, regardless of income, identity or insurance status. Learn what to expect from an STI screening.
Treatment: Both Are Curable With the Right Care
- Chlamydia is usually treated with antibiotic pills (doxycycline) taken twice a day for 7 days.
- Gonorrhea is treated with a single antibiotic injection (ceftriaxone). Gonorrhea has become resistant to some older antibiotics, so it’s important to get treated by a provider.
- Wait 7 days after treatment — and until your partners are treated — before having sex.
- Get retested about 3 months later, even if your partners were treated.
Left untreated, these infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Getting tested and treated early protects your health and your future plans. See the full list of STIs or our Complete Guide to the Most Common STIs.
How to Lower Your Risk
- Use condoms every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex. Most birth control methods don’t protect against STIs.
- Get tested regularly, especially with a new partner or more than one partner.
- Talk with your partners about testing before you have sex.
- Finish your treatment and wait the full 7 days before having sex again, so you don’t pass the infection back and forth.
Talking to Your Partner After a Diagnosis
Telling a partner can feel awkward, but it protects their health — and yours, since you can be reinfected if they aren’t treated. The CDC recommends that partners from the 60 days before your symptoms or diagnosis get tested and treated. Keep it simple and factual: let them know you tested positive, that it’s common and curable, and where they can get tested. Your health center can help you plan the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have chlamydia and gonorrhea at the same time?
Yes. It’s possible to have both at once, which is why providers usually test for them together and may treat for both.
Are chlamydia and gonorrhea curable?
Yes. Both are cured with antibiotics. It’s important to take all of your medicine and get retested about 3 months later, because reinfection is common.
How soon do symptoms appear?
Many people never get symptoms. When they do appear, they can show up days to weeks after exposure. Because you can’t rely on symptoms, regular testing is the best way to know.
Which is more common, chlamydia or gonorrhea?
Chlamydia. In 2024, about 1.5 million chlamydia cases and about 543,000 gonorrhea cases were reported in the U.S., according to provisional CDC data.
The bottom line: Chlamydia and gonorrhea are common, often silent and completely curable. If you’re sexually active, regular testing is the easiest way to stay ahead of them.
Sources
- CDC — Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance, 2024 (Provisional)
- CDC — Chlamydial Infections, STI Treatment Guidelines
- CDC — Gonococcal Infections Among Adolescents and Adults, STI Treatment Guidelines
- CDC — Getting Tested for STIs
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have symptoms or questions about your health, talk with a healthcare provider.