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Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease. This article discusses chlamydia infections in women.
See also:
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsChlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.
Different strains of chlamydia cause genital, eye, lymph node, and respiratory infections.
A baby born to a woman with a chlamydia infection of the cervix may develop eye or lung infections.
Chlamydia is transmitted through sexual activity. Sexually active individuals and individuals with multiple partners are at highest risk for chlamydia infections.
Symptoms- Abdominal pain
- Burning on urination
- Painful intercourse
- Vaginal discharge or bleeding after intercourse
Note: Some women with chlamydia have no symptoms at all. Only some women will have symptoms. Therefore, screening sexually active women for chlamydia is necessary to diagnose and treat the condition in women who do not have symptoms.
Signs and testsDiagnosing a chlamydia infection in a woman involves taking a sample of cervical secretions and sending it to a lab for an endocervical culture or a similar test called PCR.
Chlamydia infection can be diagnosed with a urine test.
Endocervical culture for gonorrhea may also be done.
TreatmentChlamydia can be treated with a variety of antibiotics, including azithromycin, tetracyclines, quinolones, and erythromycin. Erythromycin and azithromycin are safe in pregnant women.
Both sexual partners must be treated to prevent passing the infection back and forth between them, even though both may not have symptoms.
Since gonorrhea often occurs along with chlamydia, treatment for gonorrhea is often given at the same time.
Expectations (prognosis)Antibiotic treatment is usually successful. Reinfection may occur if you do not take your medicine as directed, or if your sexual partner is not treated.
ComplicationsChlamydia infections in women may lead to inflammation of the cervix.
An untreated chlamydia infection may spread to the uterus or the fallopian tubes, causing salpingitis or pelvic inflammatory disease. These conditions can lead to infertility and increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
If a women has chlamydia while pregnant, it can lead to an infection in the uterus after delivery (late postpartum endometritis). In addition, the infant may develop chlamydia-related conjunctivitis (eye infection) and pneumonia.
Calling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of chlamydia occur.
PreventionAll sexually active women up to age 25 should be screened yearly for chlamydia. All women with new sexual partners or multiple partners should also be screened.
A mutually monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner is one way to avoid this infection. The proper use of condoms during intercourse usually prevents infection.
ReferencesStamm WE, Batteiger BE. Chlamydiatrachomatis (trachoma, perinatal infections, lymphogranuloma venereum, and other genital infections). In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 180.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for chlamydial infection: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2007;147:128-134.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Workowski KA, Berman SM. Diseases characterized by urethritis and cervicitis. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines MMWR. 2006;55:35-49.
What else can I help you with?
Can chlamydia originate from a male?
Chlamydia infections occur in both men and women, and infected people of both genders can pass the infection to partners.
What are the common co-infections for chlamydia?
There are a few ways that this question can be answered:What other diseases can be caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis?Chlamydia trachomatis causes chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease. It also causes endemic trachoma. Chlamydia trachomatis can also cause lymphogranuloma venereum, another sexually transmitted disease. Each of these infections is caused by a slightly different version of the bacteria. What symptoms, syndromes, or complications can the STI chlamydia cause?Chlamydia in men and women can cause urethritis, conjunctivitis, proctitis, or pharyngitis. In men, it can cause epididymitis, prostatitis, and orchitis. In women it can cause PID (pelvic inflammatory disease). In babies born to women with chlamydia, chlamydia trachomatis can cause pneumonia or conjunctivitis. In addition, chlamydia trachomatis is associated with Reiter's syndrome. What other infections are often found with chlamydia trachomatis?Patients tested for chlamydia usually get tested for gonorrhea at the same time as they both require the same specimen collection technique and may carry the same symptoms.
Can you get chlamydia from recurring UTI and candida infections?
No; it is not possible to get chlamydia from recurring UTI and Candida infections. You were exposed to the bacteria from a sexual partner.
Can pregency cause clyminda?
Pregnancy itself does not cause chlamydia, as chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. However, pregnant individuals can contract chlamydia if they are exposed to the bacteria. It is important for pregnant women to be screened for chlamydia, as untreated infections can lead to complications for both the mother and the baby. If diagnosed, chlamydia can be effectively treated with antibiotics during pregnancy.
Can same sex partners contract chlamydia?
Yes, men can give chlamydia to men and women can give chlamydia to women.Yes, a female can get chlamydia from a female, and a male can get chlamydia from a male
Are the symptons for chlamydia and yeast infection the same?
Most women (80-90%) with chlamydia have no symptoms at all. Those who have symptoms may have painful urination, unusual yellow vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods or after sex, and pelvic pain. In contrast, yeast infections -- really, an imbalance or overgrowth of yeast -- can cause a white, cottage cheese-like discharge and vulvar or vaginal itching, redness, and irritation.
Does primaquine cure chlamydia?
Mefloquine is an antiprotozoal, and does not treat bacterial infections. It will not cure chlamydia.
What reason is given as the leading cause of sterility in women?
Untreated infections, cancer, physical injuries, diseases like Chlamydia going untreated for a long time.
Is chlamydia a yeast infection?
No, they're different infections from different germs.
Does vancomycin cure chlamydia?
Vancomycin is not used for chlamydia. There are a myriad of cheaper and easier alternatives, and vancomycin must be reserved for other serious infections.
What percentage of men and women with chlamydia are asymptomatic?
Approximately 70-90% of women and 50% of men with chlamydia are asymptomatic. This means that many individuals infected with the disease do not exhibit noticeable symptoms, which can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Asymptomatic cases highlight the importance of routine screening for sexually transmitted infections, especially in sexually active populations.
How often will you get chlamydia symptoms?
Half of men and only 10-20% of women get symptoms of chlamydia.
