Overview

Chlamydia trachomatis is a severe, bacteria-caused sexually transmitted infection (STI). You may not know you have chlamydia because many people never realize the signs or symptoms, such as genital pain and discharge from the vagina or penis.

Chlamydia trachomatis harms both men and women and occurs in all age groups, though it's most prevalent among young women. Chlamydia isn't hard to treat if you know it's yours. If left untreated, however, it can lead to more serious health problems.

Chlamydia trachomatis
Chlamydia trachomatis
Symptoms
Early-stage infections of Chlamydia trachomatis frequently cause few or no signs and symptoms. If signs or symptoms appear they usually begin one to two weeks after chlamydia exposure. Symptoms are often mild and fleeting even when signs and symptoms arise, making them easily overlookable.

Signs and symptoms of infection with chlamydia trachomatis could include:
  • Painful urination
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Vaginal discharge in women
  • Discharge from the penis in men
  • Painful sexual intercourse in women
  • Bleeding between periods and after sex in women
  • Testicular pain in men

Chlamydia trachomatis can also infect the rectum. Although these infections often cause no signs or symptoms, there may be rectal discomfort, discharge or bleeding.

Chlamydial eye infections (conjunctivitis) may also be acquired by contact with infected secretions.

When to see a doctor

If you have a discharge from your anus, penis or rectum or if you have discomfort during your urination, see your doctor. If your sexual partner says he or she has chlamydia, see your doctor too. The health care provider would typically administer an antibiotic even if you have no symptoms.
Chlamydial eye infections
Chlamydial eye infections
Causes
Chlamydia trachomatis is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is most frequently transmitted through vaginal, dental, and anal sex. During birth a mother can also transmit chlamydia to her infant, causing pneumonia or a serious eye infection in her newborn child.

Risk factors

Factors which increase your chlamydia trachomatis risk include:
  • Being sexually active before age 25
  • Multiple sex partners within the past year
  • Not using a condom consistently
  • History of prior sexually transmitted infection

Complications

Chlamydia trachomatis can be associated with:
  • Other sexually transmitted infections. Those who have chlamydia trachomatis also have a higher risk of having other STIs — including gonorrhea and HIV, the AIDS-causing virus.
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is an inflammation that causes pelvic pain and fever in the uterus and Fallopian tubes. Severe infections may require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics. PID, including the cervix, can affect the Fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus.
  • Infection near the testicles (epididymitis). Infection with chlamydia can inflame the coiled tube located next to each testis (epididymis). The infection may cause fever, scrotal pain, and swelling.
  • Prostate gland infection. The chlamydia organism will spread to the prostate gland of one individual. Prostatitis can lead to pain, fever and chills, painful urination and lower back pain, during or after puberty.
  • Infections in newborns. During birth, the infection of chlamydia will transfer from the vaginal canal to your infant, causing pneumonia or a serious eye infection.
  • Sterility. Infections of chlamydia — even those that do not display any signs or symptoms — may cause scarring and congestion in Fallopian tubes, which can make women infertile.
  • Reactive arthritis. Individuals with chlamydia trachomatis have an increased risk of developing reactive arthritis, also known as the condition of Reiter. This disorder usually involves the knees, legs, and urethra — the conduit that takes urine out of your body from your kidneys to outside.
    Pelvic inflammatory disease
    Pelvic inflammatory disease

Prevention

The surest way to prevent an infection of chlamydia trachomatis is by abstaining from sexual activity. Short of that, you can:
  • Use condoms. Use a male latex condom during each sexual contact, or a female polyurethane condom. Condoms used correctly during each sexual encounter reduce the risk of contamination but don't remove it.
  • Limit your number of sex partners. Using multiple sex partners places you at a high risk of getting chlamydia and other diseases spread by touch. 
  • Get regular screenings. If you are sexually active, particularly if you have multiple partners, determine how often chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections should be checked for with your doctor.
  • Avoid douching. Douching is not recommended because it reduces the number of healthy vaginal bacteria that may increase the risk of infection.

       

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