Chlamydia

What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD), especially among people under 25. Untreated, it can damage a woman’s reproductive organs, especially the fallopian tubes, which carry the egg from the ovaries to the uterus. An infection with Chlamydia can scar the fallopian tubes, causing future infertility problems or an ectopic pregnancy. Since most people who are infected with Chlamydia have no symptoms, it is called the “Silent Disease”. If there are no symptoms, this may cause a delay in treatment or spreading the disease to someone without knowing it. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure.

How is Chlamydia spread?
Vaginal intercourse, Anal intercourse, or Oral Sex.
It can be transmitted from mother to fetus during birth.

What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?

In Women:
• Low grade fever
• Vaginal discharge
• Painful urination
• Non-menstrual bleeding
• Painful intercourse
• Lower abdominal pain

In Men:
• Painful urination
• Discharge from the penis
• Swollen or overly –sensitive testicles
• Rectal inflammation

How do you get tested?
Intercourse, Anal intercourse, or Oral Sex.
It can be transmitted from mother to fetus during birth.

How is it treated?
A urine test or lab test (culture) of the secretions from the infected area (cervix, urethra, anus, throat).

How does chlamydia affect a pregnant woman and her baby?
In pregnant women, there is some evidence that untreated chlamydial infections can lead to premature delivery. Babies who are born to infected mothers can get chlamydial infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts. Chlamydia is a leading cause of early infant pneumonia and conjunctivitis (pink eye) in newborns.