Chlamydia

Chlamydia trachomatis is a species of sexually transmitted bacteria that affects the reproductive organs in both men and women. Like other STDs, chlamydia is a highly contagious illness spread primarily through direct sexual contact.

Complications

Left untreated, chlamydia can lead to prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland, where seminal fluid is produced) and epididymitis (inflammation of the ducts leading from the testes) in men and to pelvic inflammatory disease (an inflammation in the pelvic cavity affecting the fallopian tubes) and infertility in women. Chlamydia can also be transmitted from a mother to her baby during childbirth, resulting in ear infections and pneumonia in the newborn; it has also been linked to an increased risk of stillbirths and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Cause

Chlamydia is caused by the organism Chlamydia trachomatis, which is transmitted by direct sexual contact with an infected person. It displays symptoms similar to those of gonorrhea.

Symptoms

Sometimes no symptoms of chlamydia are evident. In other cases, there is a discharge from the penis or vagina, pain and burning during urination, and other symptoms similar to those of gonorrhea. In fact, chlamydia can often occur with gonorrhea, so if symptoms persist after treatment for gonorrhea, they may be due to chlamydia.

Diagnosis

A physician can test for the presence of chlamydial infection by taking a sample of secretions from the penis or cervix. Results of this test can be obtained in as little as 30 minutes. Since gonorrhea can produce the same symptoms as chlamydia, the doctor will usually find it necessary to test for both infections.

Treatment

Penicillin has no effect on chlamydia, so this disease is treated with another antibiotic, such as doxycycline, tetracycline, or erythromycin. This is why treatment of gonorrhea with penicillin will not affect a coexisting case of chlamydia.

A person who has chlamydia or any other STD should abstain from sexual activity until all tests have indicated that the disease is no longer present. Every sexual partner of the infected person needs to be examined and, if necessary, treated for chlamydia.

Prevention

Chlamydia can be prevented by avoiding sexual contact with someone who has the disease. Because the chances of contracting chlamydia or any other sexually transmitted disease increase with the number of sexual partners a person has, limiting the number of partners is the first step toward prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Using condoms also helps to reduce the risk of contracting chlamydia.



This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.