Overview

Chlamydia may be a common sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis , which affects the genital tract if acquired through vaginal sex, or the mouth or anus if acquired from oral or sodomy . Chlamydia is spread through unprotected sex with an infected person; it also can be spread from an infected mother to her baby at birth.

Most of the time, chlamydia may be a "silent" infection and has few symptoms. However, it's the leading explanation for infertility as permanent damage could also be done to the woman's reproductive tract. In men, chronic infection can cause sterility.

Who's at risk?

Chlamydia affects quite 3 million Americans each year; infection is commonest in teens and young adults (aged 15–24) with new or multiple sexual partners, particularly if protection with condoms is inconsistent. Re-infection of chlamydia happens easily if a sex partner isn't treated.

Signs and Symptoms

If symptoms occur, they're usually 1–3 weeks after becoming infected. 75% of girls and up to 50% of men haven't any symptoms (asymptomatic).

Women with infection of the genital tract (cervix, the mouth of the womb; or urethra, the urinary opening), may have a yellow-white discharge , spotting between periods, fluid discharge from the urethra, or burning with urination. Other symptoms might include belly or low back pain, nausea, fever, or pain with sexual activity.

Men with infection may have pus or fluid from the opening of their penis (urethra) or itching or burning with urination.

Infection of the anus (rectum) presents with rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding.

Self-Care Guidelines

Seek medical aid if you think chlamydia. Avoid any sexual intercourse until every week after treatment is finished. If you're infected, your sexual partner(s) should be checked and treated.

To prevent chlamydia infection:

Ø    Abstinence, monogamy (single partner), or limiting the amount of sexual partners all reduce your risk.

Ø    Consistent and proper use of latex condoms reduces risk.

Ø    All pregnant women, all sexually active women under age 25, and older women with new or multiple partners should have an annual screening test for chlamydia.

When to hunt medical aid

Seek medical aid if there's any chance you're infected with chlamydia, whether or not you've got symptoms. As previously noted, sexually active women should have an annual check for infection.

Treatments Your Physician May Prescribe

A test are going to be done on the urine (in men) or from fluid from the penis or cervix.

If the test is positive, treatment is going to be prescribed with oral antibiotics (usually azithromycin or doxycycline). All sexual partners should even be tested and treated if positive. If a partner is infected and not treated, re-infection is common.

Persons with infection shouldn't have sexual activity until 1 week after treatment is finished in both partners.

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