Chlamydia

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial disease transmitted thru sexual acts that can cause significant effects to the infected individual.  ^[1] Usually, the disease does not cause any detectable symptoms thus it is simply spread to a sexual partner. ^[2]

Epidemiology

Chlamydia has been placed as the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States most commonly involving blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans. Females more frequently have asymptomatic cases. The disease is said to be more prevalent in young aged individuals in the range of 15 to 24 years of age. ^[3]

Causes

The causative organism belongs to a genus of bacteria called Chlamydia.  The most frequent species that affects reproductive parts including the cervix, uterus and epididymis is called Chlamydia trachomatis.

Chlamydia trachomatis is a microscopic bacterium that aside from causing reproductive associated disease may also cause other medical conditions like conjunctivitis and pneumonia. ^[3]

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms in females are bleeding between menses, dysmenorrhea, pain during urination and during sexual intercourse, burning sensations in the vaginal area, rectal pain or discharge and abnormal vaginal discharge.

Affected males may experience abnormal penile or rectal discharge, pain during urination, pain felt at the testicular area and testicular swelling. Both genders may have fever. An infected newborn may have cough, fever, eye discharge and eye swelling.

Chlamydia may cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility if left untreated. The risk of ectopic pregnancy and cervical cancer are also higher for patients who had chlamydial infection. ^{[1] [2] [4]}

Diagnosis

Screening is essential especially for sexually active persons. A urine test or swab test is often requested. Chlamydia testing kits are also available. ^[5]

Patients may be requested to undergo blood tests, HIV tests and Pap smear if a doctor suspects other diseases like AIDS and cervical cancer. Pregnancy test is also important since anti-chlamydial drugs are contraindicated to pregnant patients.  Cell culture and serological tests may also be done depending on the case. It is always important that the sexual partner be examined or tested as well. ^[3]

Treatment

Chlamydia is treatable with antibiotics. Sexual abstinence is important to avoid the spread of the bacteria. Compliance to treatment is necessary. Retesting is important after some months. ^[1]

References:

1.      http://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm

2.      http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/guide/chlamydia

3.      http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/214823-overview#a0156

4.      http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001345.htm

5.      http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chlamydia/Pages/Introduction.aspx

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