What is Chlamydia?
Most people have heard of it, but few probably know the answer to the question, what is chlamydia? The answer is not difficult. Basically, chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease, or STD, and it is one of the more common infections that can be passed on through sex. Now let's examine some of the more detailed responses to the most frequently asked questions about chlamydia.
What is Chlamydia - Causes
The bacteria that causes Chlamydia can be contracted during vaginal, oral or anal sex with an infected person. Chlamydia is the single most commonly reported bacterial STD, according to information gathered by the CDC, and it is estimated that chlamydia affects well over 1 million people in the United States.
What is Chlamydia - Symptoms
Chlamydia is frequently referred to as the "silent disease" because it can exhibit no symptoms at all. Approximately 75 percent of women with chlamydia and 50 percent of infected men experience no symptoms of the disease. When chlamydia symptoms do show up, they usually come within 3 weeks of infection, and they look like this:
Chlamydia symptoms in women:
• abnormal vaginal discharge
• burning during urination
Chlamydia symptoms in men:
• discharge from the penis
• burning during urination
• burning or itching near penis opening
• swollen or painful testicles are possible but non common
What is Chlamydia - Diagnosis
Chlamydia is diagnosed through lab tests on the urine. There are also tests that may be done on specimens taken from the cervix or penis. Since chlamydia has so few symptoms, yearly testing is sometimes recommended, especially for women aged 25 or under who are sexually active and women over 25 who have a new sex partner or multiple sex partners.
What is Chlamydia - Treatment
Despite its lack of symptoms, chlamydia is easy to cure. Doctors generally treat chlamydia with one of two antibiotics: • Azithromycin, which is taken in a single dose • Doxycycline, which is taken two times a day for one week
What is Chlamydia - Complications
Chlamydia that is left untreated can cause some serious physical complications, especially for women. Without treatment, chlamydia can spread to the fallopian tubes or uterus and cause pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID. It is estimated that close to 40 percent of women who have untreated chlamydia will also get PID, which can be severe enough to cause chronic pain, ectopic pregnancy and even infertility.
Women with chlamydia can also increase their chances of contracting HIV. Statistics show that the risk of becoming infected with HIV is five times higher in women with chlamydia.
What is Chlamydia - Prevention
Preventing chlamydia is not difficult. Obviously, abstaining from sexual intercourse is the most effective way of eliminated chances for contracting chlamydia. Participating only in monogamous relationships is another way to lower chances for getting chlamydia, as is the consistent and correct use of condoms.