Chlamydia trachomatis infection is very common among young adults and teenagers. However, many people do not know that they have chlamydia, because although they are infected they may not have any symptoms. About 75% of infected women and half of infected men exhibit no symptoms.
Chlamydia trachomatis is an atypical bacterium that causes two different general forms of sexually transmitted diseases. The first type is an urethritis/cerviticis (infections in the urinary tract of males or in the cervix of the uterus in females). The second type is called lymphogranuloma venereum that begins as an ulcer (in the genital area).
Causes
Sexually transmitted
Symptoms
Urethritis-male
Burning with urination
Discharge from penis
Cervicitis-female
May have no symptoms
Thick, malodorous vaginal discharge (white to yellow)
Bleeding between menstrual periods
Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
Lymphogranuloma venereum-male
Blister lesion/ulcer in genital area (may not be noticed)
Swollen glands in the groin-may have multiple
Multiple draining areas in the groin
Lymphogranuloma venereum--female
Discharge (bloody puss) from rectum
Anal pain
Rectal pain after a bowel movement
Constipation
Diagnosis
DNA probe (swabs) of the cervix
Culture not usually done because expensive
IgM immunofluorescence (blood test)
Similar conditions
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
Herpes
Chancroid
Tularemia
Plague
Anal cancer
Perianal abscess
Treatment
Erythromycin
Doxycycline
Azithromycin
Sexual partner(s) need to be treated
Complications
Chlamydia infections often scar the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from ovaries to uterus), a leading cause of infertility in the United States. It is important that individuals and their sexual partners be treated promptly.
