Can You Have Chlamydia and Gonorrhea at the Same Time?

Can You Have Chlamydia and Gonorrhea at the Same Time?

A single STD on its own is a gruesome enough prospect. But what about contracting multiple STDs? Can you have STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea at the same time? The answer is yes. In fact, it’s fairly commonplace for individuals to carry more than one STD at once. That’s why it’s important for all sexually active individuals to get tested for every STD –– not just one or two. Below, we’ll explain more about the nature of STDs and help you determine how best to deal with one (or two):

Can You Get Multiple STDs at Once?

Again, the answer to this question is yes. If you engage in sexual relations with someone who has more than one STD, then you could pick up multiple STDs during a single encounter. It’s probably more likely to pick up multiple STDs over time, though, than to contract two or three STDs at once. Since most individuals aren’t aware that they have an STD, they might not get tested or treated for years at a time, which could increase their chances of getting another infection.

Chlamydia vs Gonorrhea

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two extremely widespread and similar bacterial STDs. In many instances, neither chlamydia nor gonorrhea will manifest any noticeable symptoms. However, when these STDs do exhibit symptoms, they do so in nearly identical ways. Chlamydia symptoms include pain during urination, vaginal discharge, or abdominal pain. As for gonorrhea, fevers, sore throat, vaginal or penile discharge, and pain during urination are typical.

Can You “Develop” STDs?

Some people think that having an STD like chlamydia can lead to the internal “development” of another STD like gonorrhea. That’s simply not the case, though. STDs don’t “evolve” or “transform” into different kinds of infection over time. However, having one STD can increase your odds of contracting more STDs in the future.

Co-Infection and HIV

It’s worth noting here that chlamydia and gonorrhea aren’t the only STDs to “travel in pairs.” Indeed, individuals who already have an STD (particularly herpes) are at an increased risk for getting the most dangerous STD of all –– HIV. Since many STDs cause blisters, sores, or chancres on the mouth or genitals, it’s easier for an infection like HIV to transfer during sexual intercourse through these openings. On the other side, those with HIV are also more likely to contract STDs like herpes for much the same reason.