Chlamydia

 WHAT IS CHLAMYDIA ?

Chlamydia is the most common reported sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States , with an estimated 3 million cases occurring annually.  The majority of these cases occur in adolescents and young adults.  The highest incidence of reported cases are in young women between the ages of 15 and 24.  Although, common in young men as well, fewer Chlamydia cases are actually reported in males because less screening is offered.

Chlamydia is caused by a bacteria that can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.  It is easily treated if detected early.  If left untreated, Chlamydia infection may lead to more serious complications of the reproductive organs such as infertility for both men and women, joint pain, eye infections, liver, heart, or bladder problems.

WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF CHLAMYDIA ?

Unfortunately, most women and some men have no symptoms of the disease.  For this reason, a screening test is important for young women during their annual pelvic exam.  If symptoms are present, they generally appear 7-21 days after having sex with an infected partner and are as follows:

WOMEN:

            Bleeding from the vagina between periods

            Vaginal discharge

            Lower abdominal pain

            Burning or pain on urination

MEN:

            Thick white drip from the penis

            Burning or pain on urination

HOW CAN CHLAMYDIA BE DETECTED ?

A simple painless screening test is all that is required.  This test can be done by a local health care provider or by a STD Clinic.  The screening test is automatically done at Student Health Services as part of a female's gynecological exam ($25.00 charge).

HOW IS CHLAMYDIA TREATED ?

Early treatment is the key to a good outcome.  There are several different antibiotics that can be prescribed and can be taken as a single one-time dose or over the course of 7-10 days.  If all medication has been taken as prescribed, and there is no contact with the infected partner, it is reasonable to assume that the infection has been cured.

IS CHLAMYDIA PREVENTABLE ?

The only sure way to avoid getting Chlamydia and all other STD's is to avoid having sex.  This will not be a decision that all young adults make.  However, there are ways to help decrease the rise of getting Chlamydia.

First of all, although condoms are not 100% safe, they will offer some protection (both male and female condoms) if used properly.

Secondly, knowing the sexual history of a partner will enable one to make a more responsible decision as to whether or not he or she wishes to engage in an intimate relationship with this person.

Thirdly, it is well documented that having sex with one sex partner greatly reduces the risk of contracting not only Chlamydia, but all STD's.

Additional questions or concerns regarding Chlamydia may be addressed by contacting or visiting your Student Health Services or view our web site athttp://saweb.memphis.edu/~health

Additional Web sites:

  www.ashastd.org/stdfaqs/index.html

  www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/index.html

  www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/dstdp.html