Chlamydia Infections
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia infection is caused by a bacteria. It is passed from person to person by sexual contact. The infection is common in both men and women.
Symptoms
Most women with chlamydia infections have no symptoms. If symptoms are present, a woman may have an increased amount of vaginal discharge, usually yellowish. She may have spotting between her periods or after sex. There may also be symptoms like a urinary tract infection (pain, burning, or the need to pass your water often without passing much urine). A man may have painful urination and discharge from the penis.
Diagnosis
Chlamydia is diagnosed by a test called a culture. A sample of the secretions around the cervix in women and the penis in men is taken and sent to the laboratory for testing.
Untreated chlamydia
If not treated, women may become sterile (unable to become pregnant). It also increases the chance of tubal pregnancy (pregnancy outside of the uterus), which can be fatal.
In men, if the infection is present for a long time, the infection can also cause sterility. There are usually no problems if treated early.
Treatment
Your doctor will give you an antibiotic medication to take. Take this until it is all gone. Do not stop taking the medication even if you feel better.
A follow-up exam will be needed. Your sex partner(s) will also need to be examined by a doctor. Do not have sex until both you and your partner(s) have finished the antibiotic medication.
Prevention
The barrier methods of contraception (condoms (rubbers), diaphragm) will reduce the risk of spreading the disease, but no method is totally effective.
David A. Severance, MD
Family Physician, Lincoln Avenue Clinic Article Created: 1999-03-09
Article Updated: 2001-01-02
Each year, Medical College of Wisconsin physicians care for more than 180,000 patients, representing nearly 500,000 patient visits. Medical College physicians practice at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, and many other hospitals and clinics in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin.
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