Chlamydia infection information
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia refers to a group of sexually transmitted infection (STI). The disease is caused by bacterium Chlamydia trahomatis. If untreated, the disease can lead to irreversible processes in the female genital organs and cause infertility, at that the problem is relevant for women, as well as for men.
Even if the chlamydia symptoms are almost invisible or absent, you are not impervious to serious complications, which can result in irreparable damage to your health.
How common is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the U.S.
Patients with chlamydia are often unaware that they are infected and become active disseminators of chlamydia. The lack of sexual culture, multiple sexual partners, and inconsistent condom use encourages the rapid spread of infection.
How do you get chlamydia?
Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Also chlamydia can be passed from an infected mother to baby during childbirth.
Anyone who has sexual relations may be infected. The more sexual partners you have, the higher is the risk of being infected. Teenage girls and young women are particularly susceptible to disease; they are more amenable to infection by virtue of the natural physiological features and high sexual activity.
Why disease is dangerous for a pregnant woman and her baby?
In pregnant women, infection can cause premature birth. Children of infected mothers can get chlamydial infections of the respiratory tract, eyes (chlamydial conjunctivitis). The infection may be a reason for neonatal pneumonia.
How to diagnose chlamydia?
To diagnose chlamydia infections there are a variety of laboratory tests. Some types of testing are performed on urine, while others – on laboratory materials of smear.
Men also are at risk not only during sex with women, but also due to having sex with a male partner.