Chlamydia
The sexually transmitted disease caused by
microorganisms that live, as
parasites within a cell would commonly be known
as Chlamedia. These
microorganisms have properties in common with both
viruses and bacteria, and
cause infection in humans. The causes and risk
factors of the Chlamydia
infection is caused by the organism Chlamydia
trachomas. It is to be the most
common sexually transmitted disease in the
United states with an estimated
3,000,000 to 4,000,000 people per year.
(Even with the 2,000,000 people of
gonorrhea, reported and unreported) The
spread is higher among lower society
groups and among teenagers. Chlamydia is
very important because of the
consequences of untreated infection. The
importance of genital chlamydia
infections is without symptoms until
complications appear. Chlamydia: In men,
chlamydia produces symptoms similar
to gonorrhea. Chlamydia (female): Infection
with chlamydia frequently leads
to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can
cause scarring of the
Fallopian tubes and sterility. An estimated 20% of women
who get PID will be
infertile. Tubule wounds also increases the likelihood of a
bad pregnancy
(tubule pregnancy). If women are infected with chlamydia while
pregnant the
infection can cause premature labor and delivery. Plus the infant
have a
chance of Developing chlamydial conjunctivitis (eye infection) and a
15%
chance of developing chlamydial pneumonia. A meaning of chlamydial
infections do
not cause symptoms; but when they are present; it is similar to
those of
gonorrhea. In men, this may include burning with urination,
discharge from the
end of the penis, tenderness or pain in the testicles and
lower abdomen and
fever and. Women may also have urinary burning, increased
frequency, and a mild
urethra discharge. Infection of the female reproductive
tract can include the
Bartholin ducts, vagina, cervix, endometrium, and
fallopian tubes. Chlamydia can
also cause rectal infections. There are three
strains of chlamydia that are
responsible for another sexually transmitted
disease, and is called
lymphogranuloma venereum. This disease is seen more in
under developed countries
but has gone worldwide. In the United States it is
seen mostly in homosexual
men. For the reason that Chlamydia infections is
often found in conjunction with
gonorrhea. People who are get with gonorrhea
should also be evaluated for
chlamydia infection. The national Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
recommends annual chlamydia screening for all
sexually active adolescent girls
and for other females who may be at high
risk for the infection. People that are
25 years old don't use
contraceptives all of the time and have new or multiple
sex partners. They
probably have signs of a possible cervical infection have
previously had an
STD. Females who are at risk because of their age and sexual
activity need to
get screened at least once a year. Other chlamydia experts have
recently
questioned whether that is even a lot. Based on a study experts had
conducted
in 1998, colleagues at Johns Hopkins University recently recommended
a
twice-yearly screening of sexually active female adolescents. In tracking
more
than 3,000 sexually active Baltimore high school girls for three years,
they
found that more than a quarter of them tested positive for chlamydia at
least
once in that time frame. By keeping with this test screening was
recommended for
pregnant women, also, because of the risk that their babies
will become infected
with chlamydia at birth. No screening was given to
males. Because it could have
been overlooked. "There is a lot of chlamydia in
men that we're missing,
and they are a major reservoir of infection". Said
the experts. "We're
really only putting a band-aid on the problem because,
even if we're screening
the women, some are going back to their partners and
getting reinfected."
There has been major progress in the treatment of
chlamydia with antibiotics
over the past few years. Common side effects of
these treatments include
diarrhea (7%), nausea (5%), abdominal pain (5%), and
vomiting (2%). Once again a
person can get and spread chlamydia through
unprotected vaginal and anal sex.
Preventing chlamydia means approaching
sexual relationships responsibly: limit
the number of your sex partners, use
condoms, and if you think you are infected,
avoid any sexual contact and
visit a local STD clinic, hospital, or
your
doctor.
Bibliography
The Food and Drug Administration. FDA
Consumer Magazine: Chlamydia's Quick
Cure: Fight Against 'Silent' STD
Includes New Screening Test, One-Dose Drug,
July-August 1999. (Online)
http://www.fda.gov/ fdac/features/ 1999/499_std.html
Excite. STD Home
Page. 2000 Article http://adam.excite.com/info/?id=001345
Copyright ©2000
Google Inc. http://www.unspeakable.com/facts/chlamydia.html
Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Home page
http://www.cdc.gov/health/diseases.htm,
http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/chlamydia_facts.htm