by Hector Chapa

Created on: April 28, 2008

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection which is highly contagious during sexual intercourse. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is the most frequently reported STD in the U.S.. The difficulty in recognizing this infection is that, although present, the patient may have no distinct symptom(s). In the male, burning on urination of discharge from the penis may often occur. In severe cases, testicular infection or prostate infection may result. In the female, vaginal discharge or pelvic pain may be the presenting symptom. The discharge is often yellow and may present as copious or scant. A gynecological examination is needed to confirm the infection in a woman, and is done by a cervical culture. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends the use of urine screening tests for adolescents reluctant to have a pelvic examination, in an effort to provide a "less invasive" test. The resulting infection in a women is called "cervicitis" when it involves only her cervix, and if untreated, may result in Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (P.I.D.). P.I.D. may lead to difficulty in conceiving as well as chronic pelvic pain.

Antibiotic therapy is very successful in eradicating this infection. The treatment is the same for men or women: 1. seven days of Doxycycline taken by mouth twice a day, 2). Zithromax 1 gram by outh one dose, 3). E-mycin 500mg by mouth four times a day for seven days, or 4). levofloxacin 500mg by mouth once a day for seven days.

All sexually active women 25 years or older should be screened annually, or at any time that infection is suspected. Persons treated for the infection should abstain from sexual intercourse for seven days after therapy has been completed and until the partner has been treated as well. Open communication is key for the involved couple in order to stop the propagation of the infection. The use of condoms can prevent the infection from passing, although improper placement of the condom or breakage may be a problem. The best way to prevent the infection from spreading in the first place, is abstinence.

Information from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention

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