What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by a bacterium known as
Chlamydia trachomatis. This bacterium is usually transmitted during
sexual intercourse. Ejaculation is not necessary to spread the
infection. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted
infection in the United States, with approximately four million new
cases occurring annually.
What are Symptoms?
Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about 75% of
infected women and about 50% of infected men have no symptoms. If
symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after
Women who have symptoms might have an abnormal vaginal discharge
or a burning sensation when urinating. When the infection spreads
from the cervix to the fallopian tubes, some women still have no
signs or symptoms; others may have lower abdominal pain, low back
pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse and/or bleeding
between menstrual periods.
Men with signs or symptoms might have a discharge from their penis
or a burning sensation when urinating. Men might also have burning,
itching and redness around the opening of the penis. Pain and
swelling in the testicles is also possible, but rare.
Complications of Untreated Infection
In women, an untreated infection can spread into the uterus or
fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Approximately 40 percent of women with untreated Chlamydia will
develop PID. It can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes,
uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic
pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy
(pregnancy outside the uterus). Women infected with Chlamydia are
up to five times more likely to contract HIV if exposed.
In pregnant women, there is some evidence that untreated Chlamydia
infections can lead to premature delivery. Babies who are born to
infected mothers can get Chlamydia infections in their eyes and
respiratory tracts. Chlamydia is a leading cause of early infant
pneumonia and conjunctivitis (pink eye). Although the Chlamydia
bacteria can always be cured, any damage that has already been done
Complications among men are rare. Infection sometimes spreads to
the epididymis (the tube that carries sperm from the testis),
causing pain, fever and, rarely, sterility.
How is Chlamydia transmitted?
Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Any sexually active person can be infected with Clamydia. The
greater the amount of sex partners, the greater the risk. Teenage
girls and young women are particularly at a greater risk because
the cervix is not fully matured, leaving them more susceptible to
the infection. People who have had Chlamydia and received treatment
may get infected again if they have sexual contact with a person
infected with Chlamydia.
The Nucleic Acid Amplification (NAA) test is a simple urine test
used to detect the Chlamydia bacterium. The urine test has been
proven to be more accurate than the swab, which requires a pelvic
exam for women and a urethral swab for men. The urine test is also
painless and non-invasive, unlike the swab. First morning urine is
recommended for this test, but the specimen is acceptable if the
patient has not urinated for at least 1½ to 2 hours before it is
collected. It is very important that first void urine (the first
part of the urine stream) be collected for the specimen. It is
recommended that the test is taken 7 to 10 days after a contact of
concern, although, virtually all persons with Chlamydia will have
positive results within 5 or 6 days of infection.
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that is curable with
antibiotics. Several different antibiotics can be prescribed, such
as, amoxicillin, azithromycin (zithromax , zpack), doxycycline,
erythromycin, levaquin, offloading and tetracycline. Pregnant women
can only take erythromycin, amoxicillin and azithromycin. Babies
younger than 1 month can only take erythromycin. Upon beginning
antibiotics, the infection is usually cured in about 10 to 14 days.
It is always a good idea to repeat the Chlamydia test in order to
ensure the infection has in fact been cured.
How long does it take to start seeing symptoms after you
are infected with Chlamydia?
Symptoms of Chlamydia usually occur within 1 to 3 weeks after
exposure. However, the majority of people, 50% of men and 75% of
women, do not have symptoms at all or symptoms are so mild that
they go unnoticed.
Is there a cure for Chlamydia?
Yes. Chlamydia is easy to treat and cure. However, it is very
important that you get treated early so that more serious health
problems don't occur. The Chlamydia bacteria can always be cured
however, the damaging effects that can occur due to late treatment
After Chlamydia is cured, can you get it
Yes. Being treated for Chlamydia doesn't give you immunity to it.
You can always be re infected with Chlamydia if exposed.
What happens if I have Chlamydia and don't know
Chlamydia can be transmitted to others even if you are not seeing
symptoms. Also, if the appropriate antibiotics are not taken, the
bacteria will continue to live in the body. After some time passes,
untreated Chlamydia can cause major complications for women, such
as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID is an infection of the
uterus, fallopian tubes and other reproductive organs. PID can lead
to infertility, ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb) and
chronic pelvic pain. In men, untreated Chlamydia can cause urethra
infection and Epididymitis (inflammation of the testicles).