Description
1. Chlamydia trachomatis infection is very common among young adults and teenagers. However, many people do not know that they have chlamydia, because although they are infected they may not have any symptoms. About 75% of infected women and half of infected men exhibit no symptoms.
2. Chlamydia trachomatis is an atypical bacterium that causes two different general forms of sexually transmitted diseases. The first type is an urethritis/cerviticis (infections in the urinary tract of males or in the cervix of the uterus in females). The second type is called lymphogranuloma venereum that begins as an ulcer (in the genital area).
Causes
Sexually transmitted
Symptoms
1. Urethritis-male
2. Burning with urination
3. Discharge from penis
4. Cervicitis-female
5. May have no symptoms
6. Thick, malodorous vaginal discharge (white to yellow)
7. Bleeding between menstrual periods
8. Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
9. Lymphogranuloma venereum-male
10. Blister lesion/ulcer in genital area (may not be noticed)
11. Swollen glands in the groin-may have multiple
12. Multiple draining areas in the groin
13. Lymphogranuloma venereum--female
14. Discharge (bloody pus) from rectum
15. Anal pain
16. Rectal pain after a bowel movement
17. Constipation
Diagnosis
1. DNA probe (swabs) of the cervix
2. Culture not usually done because expensive
3. IgM immunofluorescence (blood test)
Similar conditions
1. Gonorrhea
2. Syphilis
3. Herpes
4. Chancroid
5. Tularemia
6. Plague
7. Anal cancer
8. Perianal abscess
Treatment
1. Erythromycin
2. Doxycycline
3. Azithromycin
4. Sexual partner(s) need to be treated
Complications
Chlamydia infections often scar the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from ovaries to uterus), a leading cause of infertility in the United States. It is important that individuals and their sexual partners be treated promptly.
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