What it is: Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is now far more prevalent than gonorrhea, and is one of the three most common STDs on the Stanford campus. Chlamydia is spread through sexual contact, may be present without symptoms, and can have very serious complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Persons who believe they may have been exposed to the bacteria are strongly encouraged to get tested as soon as possible.
Symptoms: Symptoms appear from several days to weeks after contact with an infected person, or not at all in many cases.
| MALE: | FEMALE: |
| Penile discharge | Pain with intercourse on deep penetration |
| Burning with urination | Increased discharge, may have color or odor |
| Itching at the penile opening | Lower abdominal pain |
| Frequent or urgent urination | Burning with urination |
| Swelling of the scrotum or lymph glands in the groin | Bleeding after intercourse |
| 25-50% OF MEN HAVE NO SYMPTOMS | Fever and other signs of illness |
| 75-80% OF WOMEN HAVE NO SYMPTOMS |
Testing and Diagnosis: Cultures or “direct smears” are used by most clinics. In males this usually involves peeing in a cup. Women may also pee in a cup, but a swab is often taken for testing during a pelvic exam. Men used to be tested by having a Q-tip inserted in the penis. This was quite painful, but thankfully is less common today. Because the results may occasionally be negative, even in an infected individual, all partners of people with documented infections should be treated even if they have had a negative test.
Treatment: Antibiotics are successful in treating this disease. The treatment is usually given for one week. A type of tetracycline (doxycycline) or erythromycin are prescribed. It is recommended that patients abstain from intercourse during their treatment, but if they choose to have intercourse, condoms must be used. It is absolutely necessary to finish all of the medication, even if symptoms disappear. Some clinics recommend a follow-up culture to check for a successful cure, but the bacteria are usually cleared. Positive cultures after treatment may be due to reinfection by an untreated sexual partner.
Complications: Untreated women may develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), and between 10 and 50% of these women will become sterile. Untreated PID can also lead to abscesses in the abdomen requiring surgery, and may even lead to death. Men are at risk for sterility, stricture of the urethra, and other genital complications. Mothers can pass the infection to their children during birth, which can lead to serious illness. Chlamydia infections are not limited to the genitals. Throat infections can occur after oral sex, and chlamydia infections of the eye can be quite serious.
Prevention:
- Barrier methods (condoms and/or dental dams) reduce the risk of transmission.
- Limit number of sexual partners
- Get tested with a partner and only have sex with each other
- See a health care practitioner if there is a chance that you have been exposed