Chlamydia

Definition

Chlamydia is sexually transmitted diseases. It's most common in women and men under age 25. Chlamydia, if not treated, then it may  cause serious problems in men, women, and neonates of infected mothers. The Centers for this disease control and prevention estimates that more than 3 million people each year become infected with chlamydia. It's estimated that 20% to 50% of children born to infected women will be infected.

Causes of Chlamydia

Chlamydia infections are caused by a bacterium known as Chlamydia trachomatis. They are smaller than rickettsia and bacteria, but larger than viruses. They depend on host cells for replication and are susceptible to antibiotics. They are transmitted by direct contact such as by vaginal and anal sexual intercourse. It may also spread from an infected woman to her fetus during childbirth. They're a common cause of various infections of the urethra, bladder, fallopian tubes, and prostate gland such as:

• Cervicitis such as cervical erosion, dyspareunia, mucopurulent discharge, pelvic pain
• Endometritis or salpingitis such as pain and tenderness of the lower abdomen, chills and fever; breakthrough bleeding, and vaginal discharge; dysuria
• Urethral syndrome such as dysuria, pyuria, urinary frequency
• Urethritis such as dysuria, erythema, and tenderness of the urethral meatus; urinary frequency; pruritus and urethral discharge
• Epididymitis such as painful scrotal swelling, urethral discharge
• Prostatitis such as low back pain; urinary frequency, nocturia, and dysuria; painful ejaculation
• Proctitis-diarrhea, tenesmus,pruritus, bloody or mucopurulent discharge, diffuse or discrete ulceration in the rectosigmoid colon.

Symptoms of Chlamydia

• Abnormal discharge from the vagina
• Vaginal bleeding
• Low-grade fever
• Bleeding between menstrual cycles
• Cervical inflammation
• Pain or burning feeling with urination
• Swollen or tender testicles
• Urinary urgency
• Mucopurulent cervidtis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease in women
• Epididymitis in men
• Reiter's syndrome, usually in young men
• Sterility in men and women

Usually, chlamydia has no symptoms. Up to 85% of women and 40% of men don't develop symptoms. For those who do have symptoms,clinical expressions of infectious disease vary, depending on the pathogen involved and the organ system affected. Symptoms may appear as early as 5 to 10 days after infection, but usually appear 1 to 3 weeks after being infected. In the acute stage, more specific signs and symptoms provide evidence of the microbe's target. Infection can also cause an inflamed, itching, or bleeding rectum. If it infects the eye, then it may cause redness, itching, and a discharge. It may also infect the throat from oral sexual contact with an infected partner.

Treatment of Chlamydia

• You can treat the disease usually by using antibiotics, such as azithromycin, doxycycline, or erythromycin.
• You should be used the therapy to treat the disease.