What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is on of the most common sexually transmitted infection.  It is caused by bacteria that can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

It is spread through sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal) with an infected partner.  The greater the number of sex partners, the greater the risk of infection. Chlamydia can also be spread from mother to child during birth. 

What are the symptoms?

Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about three quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no symptoms.

In women, bacteria can infect the cervix and urinary tract in women. If the bacteria move into the fallopian tubes, they can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The initial symptoms and signs in women include:

·  abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating.

·  have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during
    intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods.

·  mild fever, muscle aches, or headache.

In men, it can cause serious problems in men and women, such as penile discharge and infertility respectively, as well as infections in newborn babies of infected mothers.

How is Chlamydia diagnosed?

If you think you may have chlamydia or if you have had sexual contact with someone who may have chlamydia, you need to see your doctor right away. 

There are laboratory tests to diagnose chlamydia. Some can be performed on urine; other tests require that a specimen be collected from a site such as the penis or cervix.

How is it treated?

Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics.  Both partners must be treated at the same time to prevent passing the infection back and forth.  Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their sex partners have completed treatment, otherwise re-infection is possible.

Can Chlamydia be prevented?

The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.

To reduce your risk of syphilis:

·  Use a latex condom with each sexual contact (condoms reduce the risk
    but does not prevent the spread of chlamydia)

·  Avoid excessive use of alcohol or other drugs, which can cloud judgment
    and lead to unsafe sexual practices.

 

This information was acquired through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.