Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection caused by a bacterium known as Chlamydia trachomatis. This bacterium is usually transmitted during sexual intercourse. Ejaculation is not necessary to spread the infection. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with approximately four million new cases occurring annually.

What are Symptoms?

Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about 75% of infected women and about 50% of infected men have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure.

Women who have symptoms might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. When the infection spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes, some women still have no signs or symptoms; others may have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse and/or bleeding between menstrual periods.

Men with signs or symptoms might have a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. Men might also have burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the testicles is also possible, but rare.

Complications of Untreated Infection

In women, untreated infection can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Approximately 40 percent of women with untreated Chlamydia will develop PID. It can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus). Women infected with Chlamydia are up to five times more likely to contract HIV if exposed.

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

Complications among men are rare. Infection sometimes spreads to the epididymis (the tube that carries sperm from the testis), causing pain, fever and, rarely, sterility.

Testing

The Chlamydia Nucleic Acid Amplification (NAA) test is a simple urine test used to detect the bacterium. First morning urine is recommended for this test, but the specimen is acceptable if the patient has not urinated for at least 1½ to 2 hours before it is collected.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chlamydia.

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