| CHLAMYDIA
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version) for printing.
What
is chlamydia?
Chlamydia
is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacteria
Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia
is now recognized as one of the most common and among the
most damaging of all STDs seen in the United States today.
Who
gets chlamydia?
Anybody
who has unprotected sex can be infected with chlamydia.
Virtually all chlamydia infections are sexually transmitted,
except those of newborns, who may acquire this infection
from their mother during birth.
What
are the symptoms?
In
women, the endocervix is the most
common site infected by Chlamydia trachomatis.
The vast majority of these infections are asymptomatic (without
symptoms). Approximately 75% of females who are infected
do not have any symptoms. Symptoms, when present, include
a vaginal discharge that is white, clear or grey; painful
urination (dysuria); lower abdominal pain, or bleeding between
menstrual periods. In men, symptoms
of chlamydia infection include a urethral discharge that
may or may not occur only in the morning before urinating
for the first time. However, approximately 50% of infected
males are asymptomatic.
How
soon do symptoms appear?
The
onset of symptoms typically occurs within 7 to 14 days after
infection, but may occur anywhere between 2 and 35 days.
Asymptomatic infections are common.
How
long can an infected person spread the bacteria?
The
period of communicability is unknown, but may be weeks or
months.
How
is Chlamydia trachomatis diagnosed?
Currently
available tests for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis
include isolation of the bacteria in a cell culture, detection
of antibodies against the bacteria, or identification of
the bacteria's genetic material (DNA).
What
is the treatment for chlamydia?
Antibiotics
are necessary to treat chlamydia.
What
are the complications of untreated chlamydia?
A
major complication of untreated chlamydial disease in women
is pelvic inflammatory disease or PID. Women who have PID
are at risk of suffering from infertility or from experiencing
an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, which can be a life-threatening
condition. Pregnant women who are infected with chlamydia
are at increased risk of preterm delivery. The bacteria
may also be transmitted to their newborn and cause pneumonia
or an eye infection in the baby.
Complications
of untreated chlamydial disease in men include epididymitis
(inflammation of the testicles), or infertility.
What
should a person do if he/she is exposed to someone infected
with chlamydia?
The
person exposed should stop having sex, and seek medical
care as soon as possible for examination
and treatment. Keep in mind that the disease could remain
asymptomatic for long periods of time.
How
can the spread of chlamydia be stopped?
Some
general guidelines are:
- You
can reduce your risk of getting chlamydia by not having
sex with anyone or by having sex only with one uninfected
partner who has sex only with you.
- Regular
examinations for sexually transmitted diseases are advised
when unprotected sex is practiced.
- Patients
should abstain from sexual intercourse for 7 days after
being treated with a single-dose of antibiotics or until
completion of a 7-day course of antibiotics.
- Patients
should also abstain from sexual intercourse until all
of their sex partners are treated to minimize the risk
of reinfection.
- Individuals
should seek medical treatment when symptoms are present,
even if they are mild.
- Sexually
active women of reproductive age who are having sex
with more than one partner, or whose partner is having
sex with others, should be tested for chlamydia during
each annual gynecological check up.
Where
can I get more information?
- Your
personal doctor.
- Your
local health department listed in your telephone directory.
- The
Utah Department of Health, Office of Epidemiology (801)
538-6191.
UTAH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
OFFICE OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
July 2003 |
