Chlamydia
STD Info: Just the Facts
Chlamydia is the common name for reproductive tract infections caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria.
Chlamydia is transmitted via vaginal or anal sex.
Up to 75% of cases in women and 25% of cases in men have no symptoms. Symptoms may include abnormal genital discharge, and burning during urination in both men and women. Women may also experience lower abdominal pain or pain during intercourse, and men may experience swelling or pain in the testicles.
Infection can be cured with antibiotics. However, treatment cannot undo damage done prior to treatment.
If untreated in women, up to 30% will experience pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which often leads to ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain. This STD can aslo cause mucopurulent cervicitis -- a condition that causes puss and bleeding from the cervix.
In men, if untreated, chlamydia can cause epididymitis, an inflammation of a testicle, which may result in infertility. This STD can also cause nongonococcal urethritis, which causes urinary problems and discharge of puss from the penis.
Both men and women infected with chlamydia are at greater risk of contracting HIV, if exposed to the virus.
Premature birth, infant pneumonia (10%), neonatal eye infections (35%), ear infection, and bronchitis may result from transmission of the disease during delivery.
Abstaining from sexual contact with an infected person is the only 100% effective means of prevention. Hormonal contraceptives, such as the pill, vaginal ring, and contraceptive patch, are assosicted with an increased risk of chlamydia. Latex or polyurethane condoms can reduce but not eliminate the risk of contracting chlamydia.
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Source: W Cates, "Reproductive Tract Infections," In Hatcher et al, Contraceptive Technology, Ardent Media, 2005.
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