Chlamydia is the No. 1 bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This bacterium is considered a "silent" disease because it has little to no symptoms and can be transmitted during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Testing has become more accurate and sensitive to even small amounts of the bacteria to allow for more rapid treatment and follow-up.
Symptoms
Planned Parenthood states 75 percent of women and 50 percent of men have no symptoms of the disease. When symptoms are present in women, they include vaginal discharge, painful intercourse, swelling around the vagina and anus, pain when urinating, general pelvic pain and a low-grade fever. Men may notice pain during urination, discharge from the penis and swelling around the testicles and anus. Infection in the throat causes soreness.
Babies can also become infected during the birthing process, which commonly infects the eyes causing redness, swelling and itching.
Testing
Even without symptoms testing can be done by using a cotton swab of the area potentially infected. Regular testing should be done yearly when sexually active or before engaging in sexual activity with a new partner. The American Association for Clinical Chemistry states the most widely used practice to look for the presence of this bacterium is a molecular test called nucleic acid amplification test, in which the DNA of the bacteria is amplified over and over if present in the swab sample. Another way to test is by culture test or seeing if the bacteria will grow in a lab setting. This method takes a little longer. Urine sample testing is also available.
Treatment
Treatment includes a simple course of antibiotics. Sometimes a one-dose treatment is prescribed, but more often the antibiotic needs to be taken for a course of seven days, according to Planned Parenthood. Any current sexual partners should be notified, tested, treated and retested before any sexual activity can resume. Follow-up testing is needed to ensure treatment was successful. Infection can reoccur at any time, which is why all sexual partners need treatment as well.
Left Untreated
Since symptoms are mild chlamydia often goes untreated. The CDC states in women, 10 to 15 percent of the time these bacteria will go on to cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infect the uterus, fallopian tubes and surrounding tissue, causing permanent scarring and pain. Sometimes women lose the ability to have children. Due to these more serious complicating factors, the CDC encourages yearly testing of those sexually active and younger than 25.
Prevention
The best treatment is to prevent the infection from ever happening. Chlamydia is preventable with the use of female and male latex condoms. No other form of protection prevents the spread of the bacteria. The CDC also states that being in a long-term monogamous relationship where partners are knowingly free of diseases is another way to avoid infection.
