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Risk
Factors
> Symptoms
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Prevention
> Other
Health Problems
> Diagnosing
& Curing Chlamydia
Chlamydia
Chlamydia
trachomatis is a bacterium that can cause an STD. Chlamydia
infection is very common among young adults and teenagers.
However, many people do not know that they have chlamydia,
because although they are infected they may not have any
symptoms. About 75% of infected women and half of infected
men have no symptoms of chlamydia.
Risk
Factors
Chlamydia is transmitted
through sexual contact (primarily vaginal or anal) with an
infected person. The primary risk factors for chlamydia
include:
- Engaging in unsafe sex
- Having sex with more than
one partner
- Being in a sexual
relationship with someone who has multiple sex partners
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Symptoms
About 75% of women and 50% of
men with chlamydia have no symptoms of infection.
In women, symptoms of chlamydia may include:
- An unusual vaginal
discharge
- Bleeding after intercourse
- Bleeding between menstrual
periods
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
In men, symptoms of chlamydia
may include:
- Discharge from the penis
- Burning with urination
- Swollen and/or painful
testicles
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Prevention
The chance of becoming
infected with chlamydia can be reduced by avoiding risky
sexual behaviors. To reduce your risk, always use a latex or
polyurethane condoms during sex and limit your number of sex
partners. If you have recently been treated or are being
treated for chlamydia infection, you must make sure your sex
partner(s) also receives treatment in order to prevent
getting infected again. Sex partners should receive
treatment even if they do not have any symptoms.
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Other
Health Problems
When left untreated, chlamydia
can increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV, the
virus that causes AIDS.
Chlamydia can cause early labor and delivery and can be
passed from mother to baby during birth. Chlamydia infection
in newborns can cause neonatal conjunctivitis (an infection
of the baby's eyes) and pneumonia. Without prompt medical
treatment, the infant's eyes can be seriously and
permanently damaged. In women, untreated chlamydia can
spread into the pelvic area and infect the uterus, fallopian
tubes, and ovaries – leading to pelvic inflammatory
disease (PID). The symptoms of PID include:
- Abdominal pain
- Lower back pain
- Pain with intercourse
- Bleeding between periods
- Fever
PID can be a very serious
condition and requires immediate medical care. It may cause
permanent damage to the woman's reproductive organs and can
lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and an increased
risk of ectopic pregnancy.
In men, untreated chlamydia can affect the testicles,
leading to swelling and pain. Related complications can lead
to infertility.
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Diagnosing
& Curing Chlamydia
There are a variety of
laboratory tests that can be used to diagnose chlamydia
infection. Tests are done with either a urine sample or a
sample obtained from a woman's cervix or a man's urethra,
using a cotton swab.
Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics.
Because men and women infected with chlamydia often also
have gonorrhea, treatment for gonorrhea is often provided as
well. It is important to make sure your sex partner(s) also
receives treatment in order to prevent getting infected
again. Avoid having sex while being treated to reduce the
chances of getting the infection again or transmitting it to
someone else.
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Reprinted with
Permission - Copyright © 2000 AVSC International. |
