Chlamydia and You

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), sometimes also called a sexually transmitted infection (STI), that is curable but if not treated in time can have some devastating effects.

It can result in serious health problems for both men and women and it can also cause health problems in babies who are born to mothers who are infected with the virus.

Estimates indicate that more than 3 million people in the US alone are infected by this disease each year, and when you take into account the number of infected people in other westernised countries, the number starts to rise considerably.

the infection is caused by a bacterium which is called chlamydia trachomatis. It can also be transmitted during sex with a partner who is infected (irrespective of whether you are having oral, anal or vaginal sex).

Any person who is sexually active can be infected by this STI, and the risk of infection increases in ratio to the number of partners that a patient has sex with increases.

It is not just an infection that afflicts women. Homosexuals are also at risk because the disease can be passed from person to person through oral and anal sex.

Anyone is at risk from this infection especially if you are sexually active. Your risk of infection increases with the number of partners you sleep with. This is a fact which has been verified by research.

Even worse, young women, especially teenage girls, are at a heightened risk of infection (if they are active sexually). This is because their cervix is not fully matured and is more prone to the infection.

Sometimes known as the silent disease because a person can have it and be unaware that they have been infected. The Chlamydia bacteria live in semen and vaginal fluid. Early symptoms can be quite mild, sometimes infected people may have an abnormal discharge, which may be in the form of mucus or pus, from the penis or vagina.

Others may be prone to experiencing pain and or discomfort whilst urinating. Although the early symptoms can be quite mild, Chlamydia can result in serious, irreversible damage to health, such as infertility. For this reason, it is very important to be on the lookout for any symptoms if you suspect you might be at risk from an infection.

Also read our article about Chlamydia and Teens