Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium known as Chlamydia trachomatis.

• Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STD in the United States. Doctors estimate that roughly 2.8 million people are infected with chlamydia in the U.S. each year.
• It is easily treated and cured.
• The bacteria infect mucous membranes, such as the surfaces of the urethra, vagina, cervix and endometrium; the fallopian tubes; the anus and rectum; the lining of the eyelid; and, less commonly, the throat.
• Chlamydia is transmitted through contact between mucous membranes. This occurs during oral, vaginal or anal sexual contact. Pregnant women can pass on the disease to their babies. The disease is not spread through casual contact, such as shaking hands.
  

Symptoms

Approximately 50% of men, and 75% of women, do not experience symptoms of the disease. Also, symptoms of Chlamydia are often confused with those of Gonorrhea. Symptoms of the disease are therefore not very useful in determining if a person is infected.

• In people who do experience problems, symptoms usually occur within one to three weeks of infection.
• In women, symptoms include:
• Vaginal discharge
• A burning sensation while urinating
• Lower abdominal or back pain, pain during intercourse, bleeding between periods, and nausea or fever if the infection spreads to the fallopian tubes.
• In men, symptoms include:
• Pain or burning while urinating
• Pain or swelling of the testicles
• A thick yellow-white, watery or milky discharge from the penis.
• Men, women, and infants can all experience an inflamed rectum, inflamed urethra, and inflamed eyelids.
• Newborns with chlamydia most commonly develop conjunctivitis or pneumonia.
  

Complications if Untreated

• In women, if left untreated, the Chlamydia bacteria can infect the cervix, fallopian tubes and urine canal. Infections can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, or PID.

o PID can permanently damage the fallopian tubes, uterus and the tissues surrounding them. In turn, this can cause infertility and increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy, where the egg is implanted outside of the uterus.

• In men, the chlamydia bacteria can cause epidydimitis, which is an inflammation of tube that carries sperm from the testis. In rare cases, epidydimitis can lead to sterility.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Doctors can take a sample of fluid from the vagina or penis and test if for presence of the chlamydia bacteria.
• Doctors can also take a urine sample to test for the bacteria.
• Antibiotics can easily cure chlamydia. The two common antibiotics prescribed are Azithromycin, taken once, and doxycycline, taken for seven days.
• People being treated for chlamydia should not have sexual intercourse until they successfully complete their treatment.
  

Preventing Chlamydia

• The best way to avoid getting chlamydia is to abstain from sexual contact. If you are engaging in sexual contact, the best way to avoid transmission is by being in a long-term monogamous relationship where both partners have been tested for the disease.
• Using latex condoms reduces the risk of transmission.
• Sexually active women under twenty-five should receive yearly screenings for chlamydia.
• If you experience symptoms such as discharge or a burning sensation while urinating, stop engaging in sexual contact and seek medical attention as soon as possible.