Chlamydia Health Article

Definition

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States, with about three million new cases diagnosed in the country each year. The disease is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. The following areas in the body can be affected:

• cervix
• fallopian tubes, which carry ova (eggs) from the ovaries to the uterus
• urethra, which carries urine from the bladder to outside the body
• epididymis, a small organ attached to the testicles that is responsible for sperm production
• prostate gland, a gland at the base of the penis which provides nutrients for sperm
• anus
• throat
• eyes

In addition, Chlamydia trachomatis also causes lung and eye infections in newborns whose mothers have a chlamydial infection during the last part of their pregnancy.

Description

Chlamydia is most often found in sexually active adolescents aged 15–19. Data gathered by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggest that sexually active girls in this age group may account for up to 46% of chlamydial infections.

According to the CDC, approximately 40% of women infected with chlamydia will develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). If untreated, 18% of women with PID will have chronic inflammatory pain. In addition, chlamydia may cause extensive damage to the fallopian tubes. Scarring can block the tube and prevent the egg from being fertilized. As a result, one of every five women with PID will not be able to conceive. Tube scarring may also cause the fertilized egg to be trapped inside the tube, unable to reach the uterus. When the fertilized egg develops inside the tube rather than in the uterus, the condition is called tubal pregnancy. The condition is potentially fatal if the tube ruptures. In America, tubal pregnancy is the number one cause of death of women in early pregnancy.

Cause

Chlamydia is caused by a bacterial parasite called Chlamydia trachomatis. The organism lives inside humans, who act as hosts. It is dependent on humans for energy because it is unable to produce energy for itself. C. trachomatis often causes genital and urinary tract infections in sexually active men and women.

Mode of transmission

A person can be infected with C. trachomatis by:

• having sex (oral, genital, or anal) with an infected partner
• sharing infected sex toys
• passing through the infected birth canal of a mother who has chlamydia
• sex abuse in children