sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Chlamydial infections - male: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek care sooner rather than waiting for scheduled retesting if a partner is diagnosed with chlamydia or symptoms return.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a fever with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or severe headache
    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine follow-up if symptoms do not improve, return after improving, or worsen.

    Persistent symptoms may result from reinfection, missed doses, another infection, or a noninfectious condition.

    They should not automatically be treated with another antibiotic without reassessment.

    Routine follow-up also includes confirming that partners received care and discussing ways to reduce future exposure.

    Condoms, testing before sex with a new partner, and regular screening when recommended can lower risk.

The article also says

Symptoms such as discharge or burning should begin to improve after treatment.

A test of cure, meaning a test to confirm that treatment worked, is not routinely needed for most nonpregnant adults.

It may be recommended if treatment was not completed, symptoms continue, reinfection is suspected, or a less reliable treatment was used.

Testing too soon can detect harmless bacterial material remaining after treatment and produce a misleading positive result.

Because reinfection is common, CDC guidance recommends repeat testing about three months after treatment.

If that is not possible, testing should be performed when the person next receives medical care within the following year.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Chlamydial infections - male. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.