Chlamydia is a curable sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacteria named Chlamydia Trachomatis.Chlamydia can infect the penis, cervix, or rectum. It is one of the most common of all STDs.
How many Americans have Chlamydia?
In the
United States, more than 3 million people are infected with Chlamydia each year, and over 1,000 cases in Stanislaus County. Health
economists estimate that Chlamydia costs Americans more than $2 billion a year. Chlamydia is most common in people under 25 years
of age.
What are the Symptoms of Chlamydia?
70 - 90 % of women and 40 - 50% of men have NO noticeable symptoms.
If symptoms occur, they
usually appear 1 - 3 weeks after infection. The most common symptoms are:
MEN
· Discharge from the penis; the discharge may be
clear, cloudy, or yellowish
· An itchy feeling inside the penis
· Pain or burning feeling while urinating
· A swollen
or tender testicle
WOMEN
· Abnormal vaginal discharge
· Painful urination
· Spotty bleeding between menstrual periods
· Painful
intercourse
· Vaginal bleeding after intercourse
· Pain in the lower abdomen
What happens to me if I get Chlamydia?
The infection
may move inside the body if it is not treated. There, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women and Epididymitis in
men, two very serious illnesses. Rarely, Chlamydia results in a kind of arthritis called Reiter's Syndrome.
· PID results when
untreated infections in women such as Chlamydia or gonorrhea spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes. PID is a serious health problem
that can result in infertility, pelvic pain that can go on for months or years, or tubal pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus).
Symptoms of PID include pain in the lower abdomen or back, fever, spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods, pain during sex,
and increased vaginal discharge.
· Epididymitis results when untreated infections in men such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea spread
up the male reproductive system to reach the testicles. This leads to pain or swelling in the scrotal area, which is a sign of inflammation
of a part of the testicle called the Epididymitis. Epididymitis often is very painful and, if it involves both testicles, can lead
to infertility.
· Reiter's Syndrome is a kind of arthritis that occasionally occurs a few weeks after a Chlamydia infection. The
main symptoms are back pain, painful and swollen joints, and a skin rash.
How is Chlamydia transmitted?
Chlamydia is transmitted through
unprotected vaginal and anal sex with an infected partner. It can also be passed from an infected woman to her newborn
baby during birth.
How do I avoid infection with Chlamydia?
· Abstinence from sex is the surest way to avoid becoming infected
with Chlamydia (not having any anal, oral or vaginal sex).
· The next surest way is to limit sex to one uninfected partner who
only has sex with you (mutual monogamy).
· For those choosing to be sexually active outside longstanding, permanent relationship,
condoms should be correctly and consistently, to minimize transmission.
· Avoid sex if suspicious symptoms are present. If you
think you could have Chlamydia (or any STD), seek immediate care at a local STD clinic, hospital or medical practitioner.
· Before
having sex, talk with your partner(s) about Chlamydia and other STDs. Work out a risk reduction strategy with them that feels comfortable
to both of you.
· If you have Chlamydia (or any STD), notify all sex partners so that they can also seek and obtain treatment.
How
do I find out if I have Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is diagnosed by doing a test for Chlamydia trachomatis (the bacteria that causes the infection)
from sites that might have been exposed. Usually this means taking a swab from the penis in men, from the cervix in women (during
a pelvic exam), or from the rectum. Sometimes urine can be tested. The specimen is sent to a laboratory for testing and results are
available a few days later. Tests for Chlamydia usually become positive 3 - 7 days after catching the infection.
What is the treatment
for Chlamydia?
Most Chlamydia infections are easily treated with antibiotics. Sometimes a single dose of antibiotic is sufficient,
but other antibiotics must be taken for 7 days.
Important: Many common antibiotics do not work against Chlamydia. Never treat yourself
with an antibiotic left over from another prescription.
People should not have sex for 7 days after treatment is completed. Recent
sex partners must also be treated. A couple must not have sex until both have completed treatment; otherwise they may re-infect one
another.
PID and Epididymitis are more complicated infections and may take longer to treat.
Follow-up: Everyone with Chlamydia should
be re-tested 3 - 4 months after treatment. Public Health routinely contacts patients or their health care providers after three months
to remind them about repeat testing. Retesting usually can be done on a urine sample.
If you have Chlamydia:
· Take all of the
prescribed medicine, even if your symptoms go away before you have completed treatment.
· If the symptoms do not go away within
a week after finishing treatment, go to your doctor or clinic again.
· It is very important to tell your sex partners that you
have Chlamydia so that they can be tested and treated.
· Get re-tested for Chlamydia 3 - 4 months after treatment.
How does Chlamydia
affect pregnancy?
Chlamydia can cause a pregnant woman to go into labor early, resulting in premature delivery. All pregnant women
should be tested for Chlamydia, even if they don’t seem to be at risk for the disease. Babies born to infected mothers can get Chlamydia of
the eyes or have other problems. All babies are automatically given eye drops right after delivery to avoid Gonorrhea or Chlamydia infection.
Resources
& Information for Chlamydia.
HIV/STD Hotline: 209-572-2437
HIV/AIDS Program: HIVSTDInfo@SCAP4.org
CDC national STD/HIV hotline numbers:
800-227-8922
or 800-342-2437
Spanish 800-344-7432
TTY 800-243-7889
Websites:
Planned Parenthood: Chlamydia The Facts
National Institutes
of Health Fact Sheet
