Chlamydia
Chlamydia trachomatis, an organism with characteristics of both bacteria and viruses, causes a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) similar to gonorrhea. The chlamydia organism infects cells of the cervix (the opening of the uterus), rectum, and urethra. Persons with a chlamydial infection may or may not develop symptoms. As a result, they can transmit the infection to others without knowing.
Chlamydia is transmitted by sexual contact and the exchange of infected bodily fluids. Chlamydia cannot survive outside of the body. The time between exposure and when symptoms begin ranges from 7 to 21 days, but many women and men have infections that never show symptoms or only show after months or years.
Symptoms
When symptoms appear, their type and severity depend on the site of infection and the person’s individual response. If men have symptoms, chlamydia most often causes urethritis, an infection of the tube in the penis through which urine and semen pass (the urethra). Symptoms may include:
- clear, white, or yellow discharge from the urethra
- burning pain with urination
- feeling the need to urinate more frequently
- tingling or itching sensations within the urethra
Early chlamydial infections in women usually cause no symptoms. Possible symptoms include:
- increased vaginal discharge
- spotting
- burning pain with urination
- bleeding after intercourse
Anal infections can occur in men and women who have unprotected anal intercourse, but these types of infections usually do not cause symptoms. Symptoms, if present, include rectal pain, discharge, and bleeding.
Diagnosis
Two laboratory tests can accurately detect chlamydia:
- a urine sample
- a sampling of bodily fluids from the site of infection (cervix, urethra, or anus)
Treatment
Generally, chlamydial infections are easily treated with an antibiotic such as doxycycline or azithromycin. A clinician can recommend which drug is appropriate for a particular infection.
If a person is diagnosed, all recent sexual partners (any within the past two months) need to be notified, examined, and treated. Intimate sexual contact with an infected individual is reason enough for partners to receive treatment; they do not need to test positive themselves.
After treatment begins, do not have intercourse until one week after both you and your partner(s) have started taking the medication.
If symptoms continue or return after finishing treatment, contact a clinician. Women should be retested approximately three to four months after treatment.
Importance of treatment
If a sexual partner is not treated for the infection, re-infection with future intercourse will occur. Untreated or unsuccessfully treated chlamydial infections can cause serious complications.
In men, untreated chlamydial infections can spread from the urethra to the prostate gland and epididymis (a tube behind the testes where sperm mature), causing fever, testicular pain, and swelling. Scarring of this tube can make it difficult for sperm to leave, sometimes causing infertility.
In women, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection that spreads from the cervix to the uterus and ovaries. PID can scar the fallopian tubes (the tubes connecting the ovaries to the uterus), which can prevent eggs from leaving the ovaries, and cause infertility or a pregnancy outside of the uterus with life-threatening complications. PID symptoms include:
- lower abdominal pain
- painful intercourse
- increased pain during menstruation
- spotting between periods
- fever and chills
In pregnant women, chlamydia can be passed to the newborn, causing eye infections and pneumonia. All pregnant women should be tested for chlamydia.
Prevention
To help prevent the serious consequences of chlamydia, annual screenings are recommended for all sexually active women younger than 25 and older women with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners.
When used consistently and correctly, condoms are excellent for preventing the transmission of chlamydia and other STIs. The best method of protection is using latex condoms from the beginning of sexual contact until there is no longer any skin-to-skin contact. Hormonal contraception (such as birth control pills, the patch, ring, and shot) and IUDs do not protect against chlamydia or other STIs.
[HU 410 : updated 08/07]
