ChlamydiaOverview

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. The term "Chlamydia" derives from the name of the bacterial genus Chlamydia in the family Chlamydiaceae, class and phylum Chlamydiae. The genus Chlamydia includes 3 species: Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia muridarum, and Chlamydia suis. The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention estimates that more than 3 million cases of Chlamydia occur every year. Chlamydia is the most frequent bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the US. An estimated 4 million Americans get Chlamydia each year. Health economists estimate that chlamydial infections and the other problems they cause cost Americans more than $2 billion a year.

Chlamydia can be spread mainly through vaginal and anal sex, but also rarely through oral sex and hand to eye contact. Chlamydia is transmitted via the birth canal of an infected mother, and neonates exposed to Chlamydia at birth may develop conjunctivitis 5-13 days later. Chlamydia has a higher prevalence in sexually active adolescent girls, with an incidence of 10%. A prevalence of Chlamydia as high as 14% has been reported in African American females aged 18-26 years. In addition, approximately 100,000 neonates are exposed to Chlamydia annually. The disease is more common in less developed countries, among minorities, people living in the urban area, etc.

Chlamydia has an incubation period of 1-3 weeks.

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

Chlamydia is known as the "silent" disease because approximately 50 % of the men and 80 % of all women infected with it display no symptoms. When it does present symptoms these are abnormal vaginal and penile discharges (mucus or pus) and painful urination. Women can also present abdominal pain, low fever, pain during intercourse and the need to urinate more often. Men can experience inflammation of the rectum and swelling or pain in the testicles.

TREATMENT

Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. The most common used include doxycycline and azithromycin. The treatment can last from one up to seven days. The treatment also includes refrain from having sex and physical effort.

It is very important to be treated as soon as possible, so if you present any of the symptoms listed above, seek a medical advice.

Because Chlamydia transmission is easy, you must get your partner tested for the infection as well. More than 95 % of the people treated for Chlamydia will recover completely.

COMPLICATIONS

If left untreated Chlamydia can lead to other serious health problems. In women, Chlamydia can spread into the pelvic area and infect the uterus, fallopian tubes and urine canal and can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Chlamydia can cause permanent damage to the woman's reproductive organs and can lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.

Infection with Chlamydia during pregnancy increases the risk of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage). Also the infection is dangerous to newborns, because it can cause an infection of the baby's eyes (complications of the infection include blindness), ears, genitalia and lungs. Pneumonia may also occur.

Chlamydia also increases the risk of contracting HIV. Women with Chlamydia are up to 5 times more likely to contract HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

In men Chlamydia may spread to the testicles and cause epididymitis, which can lead to sterility. In young men it can cause Reiter's Syndrome, characterized by arthritis, skin lesions, and inflammation of the urethra and eyes.

PREVENTION

The only sure way to prevent contracting Chlamydia is to refrain from having sex or limit to a single, uninfected partner.

The risk of contracting Chlamydia can be reduced by correctly using latex condoms every time you have sex, but this is not 100 % sure.