A Brief Explaination About A Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by the bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis. This bacteria can damage a woman’s reproductive organs. Even though the symptoms of this STD are mild or sometimes even absent, serious complications can cause irreversible damage.

Both men and women can carry the bacteria. It is excreted from the end of the penis in an infected male. But it is the woman who suffers the most from the damaging secondary effects of the infection.

Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial STD in the US. In 2006 there were over one million cases reported to the CDC. Consider also that there is significant under reporting in these numbers because not all people with the infection are aware of the condition and seek testing. And testing isn’t always done when patients are treated for their symptoms.

The bacteria that causes Chlamydia is transmitted during vaginal, anal or oral sex. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during a vaginal birth.

Any person who is sexually active can be infected with the bacteria. Interestingly researchers have found that the greater the number of sexual partners the greater the risk of infection. Because the cervix of teens and young women isn’t fully mature they are at particularly high risk for infection.

There are very few symptoms of the condition. Chlamydia is known as the silent disease because about ¾ of infected women and ½ of the men have no symptoms at all. If symptoms do appear it will be within 1 to 3 weeks after the initial exposure.

Women who have symptoms may have an abnormal vaginal discharge or burning sensation when urinating. As the infection spreads up the reproductive canal and into the fallopian tubes (the tubes that carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus) some women may experience lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever or pain during intercourse.

Men who experience the Chlamydia infection may have a discharge from the end of their penis or a burning sensation while urinating. They can also experience burning and itching around the opening of the penis or swelling and pain in the testicles.

Men and women can also acquire the infection in the rectum following rectal intercourse. This can cause rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding.

Chlamydia is diagnosed using laboratory tests if the woman seeks medical care for the symptoms described above. Some of these tests are performed on the urine while others require a specimen that is collected from the penis or cervix.

Chlamydia is treated easily and effectively with antibiotics. However, with repeated exposure the infection can reoccur. So if the woman is treated and the male partner remains untreated then the infection will most likely spread to the woman once again. A single dose of azithromycin or a week of doxycycline are the most commonly used treatments.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that is easily treated and diagnosed. Unfortunately, because most men and women don’t exhibit any signs or symptoms of the condition they don’t often seek medical advice.

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