Chlamydia
"It could infect you in seconds, then infect your life".
By: Erin Hoffman
What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria "Chlamydia Trachomatis". It is the most common STD in America. There are over 2 million new cases each year. Both men and women can get this as well. This STD is known as "The silent threat", because it doesn't show many symptoms. Here I am going to tell you some important information about this dangerous STD.
Symptoms of Chlamydia
Usually, there aren't many Symptoms that go along with this particular disease. 60-80% of women have not symptoms and, 10% of males have no symptoms. If you were experiencing symptoms, you would probably experience these.
WOMEN
WOMEN
- Abnormal vaginal discharge that may have an odor.
- Bleeding between menstrual cycles
- Painful menstrual cycle
- Abdominal pain w/ fever
- Pain during intercourse
- Itching or burning near the genitals
- Pain when urinating
MEN
- Small amounts of clear or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis.
- Painful urination
- Burning and itching around the opening of the penis
- Pain and swelling around the testicles
If Chlamydia is not treated...
- PID (Pelvic inflammatory disease) possible in Urethritis.
- Infertility
- Stillborn babies (Child is born dead)
- Babies born through the vagina may have risk of blindness due to chlamydia in the eyes.
Cure/Treatment
Chlamydia isn't very hard to cure. It can be treated with antibiotics such as, azithromycin or doxycycline. Those treatments are the most commonly used. Also, if you're being treated for Chlamydia then you should make sure that your partner is getting treated as well because if not, they could end up giving the STD back to you.
Interesting facts
- Can be passed from mother to child in vaginal births.
- Up to 40% of women with untreated chlamydia can end up with pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Chlamydia increases the chance of contracting other STDs including HIV/AIDS.