Chlamydia

What is Chlamydia?

Like gonorrhea, chlamydia infections primarily affect the urethra in men and the cervix in women. There has been a steady increase in the reported cases of chlamydia, particularly among 15 to 25 year olds, and is considered one of the most common STDs. Chlamydia is now recognized as a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease which can cause infertility.

What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a particularly dangerous disease because there are many infected individuals who experience no symptoms.

Men who do experience symptoms typically experience watery or milky discharge from the urethra as well as painful urination. In addition, chlamydia may cause the testicles to become swollen causing irritation.

Women may also experience symptoms such as discomfort when urinating which becomes more frequent as the condition develops. Women often do not experience any symptoms, and therefore may have a higher propensity to carry the disease untreated. Chlamydia will also increase vaginal discharge and possibly light bleeding between periods. This bleeding may indicate that the infection has spread to the uterus. Anal infection may cause discomfort and produce discharge.

If chlamydia is not detected and treated there may be serious complications. Advanced chlamydia can cause infection of the appendix, heart and liver. In addition, men risk an infection of the epididymis which may cause infertility. Chlamydia is also a cause of pelvic inflammatory disease in women. However, the symptoms of PID caused by gonorrhea are more severe than those caused by chlamydia and hence diagnosis may be difficult.

What are the causes of Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis. This bacteria can only live inside cells therefore a bodily exchange of infected fluids is necessary for transmission. There are certain strains of the bacteria which will infect the cervix and the urethra while other strains cause eye disease.

How is Chlamydia treated?

Chlamydia is very treatable with a range of antibiotics. When taken as prescribed the antibiotics will kill the chlamydia. Doxycycline or azithromycin are most often used in treatment.

Pregnant women may be treated with erythromycin. Regardless, chlamydia has not yet shown resistance to antibiotics, and is therefore fairly treatable. Pregnant women should have follow up tests done if they have failed or forgot to take the pills or had unprotected sex during treatment. Please consult your doctor for the latest information on treatment options.