{"id":2454,"date":"2018-10-15T16:38:03","date_gmt":"2018-10-15T16:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mybiosource.com\/learn\/?p=2454"},"modified":"2023-03-13T13:28:51","modified_gmt":"2023-03-13T13:28:51","slug":"std-series-a-brief-overview-of-chlamydia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mybiosource.com\/learn\/std-series-a-brief-overview-of-chlamydia\/","title":{"rendered":"STD Series: A brief overview of Chlamydia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Table of Contents<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

1. Introduction to Chlamydia as a common sexually transmitted disease (STD)<\/strong><\/a>
\n2. How Chlamydia spreads and who is at risk of infection<\/strong><\/a>
\n3. \u00a0Symptoms of Chlamydia in both men and women<\/strong><\/a>
\n4. Diagnosis and screening methods for Chlamydia<\/strong><\/a>
\n5. Treatment options for Chlamydia<\/strong><\/a>
\n6. What partners should do if one of them is diagnosed with Chlamydia<\/strong><\/a>
\n7. General preventive measures for Chlamydia<\/strong><\/a>
\n8. Importance of male Chlamydia support and awareness<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Chlamydia is one of the common sexually transmitted<\/span> disease, most prevalent in young women aged between 14 to 25.\u00a0 In the US this is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted<\/span> disease (STD<\/span>). The infection takes place due to the presence of bacteria Chlamydia<\/span> trachomatis. These bacteria usually infiltrate columnar epithelial cells of urethra<\/span>, cervix<\/span> or rectum. Worldwide, chlamydia<\/span> is the largest source of curable sexually transmitted<\/span> disease accounting for 61 million infected individuals annually (as of 2015). According to 2017 report, in the US alone 1,708,569 individual was identified with chlamydia<\/span> infection which can sum up annually to 2.86 million infected individuals.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why we get Chlamydia?<\/p>\n

Being one of the major sexually transmitted<\/span> disease, the main route of bacterial<\/span> entry is through sexual contacts. Mostly sexual interaction through the vagina, anal or oral route can spread the infection. Additionally, new-born babies get infected from deceased mother during the passage through the birth canal. This prenatal transfer can generate conjunctivitis<\/span> or pneumonia<\/span> to new-borns.\u00a0 However, casual contacts like hugging, kissing or food sharing do not play any role to spread the bacteria.<\/p>\n

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How common is Chlamydia<\/p>\n

Being a common sexually transferred syndrome<\/span>, one individual out of twenty people becomes infected with chlamydia<\/span> especially young women in the age group of 14-24 having a several or new sex partner. It is often referred to as the silent killer as a lot of time Chlamydia<\/span> do not show any symptoms. A higher number of men and women (75% of women and 50% of men) are known to carry these particular bacteria without having any visible symptoms.<\/p>\n

A<\/em>m I infected?<\/p>\n

When Chlamydia<\/span> shows symptoms it generally appears within 2 months or 60 days after the sexual interaction with the infected person. In a majority of instances, symptoms are seen within 1-3 weeks. However, the symptoms vary between male and female.\u00a0 Infected women will show symptoms such as-<\/p>\n