Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by a small parasite called chlamydia trachomatis.
Often present without symptoms, it is estimated that between twenty and forty percent (1 - 2 in 5) of all sexually active women are infected with the disease. If left untreated it can lead to a number of dangerous infections including pelvic inflammatory disease, a cause of female infertility, salpingitis, urethral infections and cervicitis.
About sixty percent (3 in 5) women who have chlamydia have no symptoms of the disease. Those who do have symptoms may experience burning and itching in the genital area, pelvic pain, vaginal discharge and painful or frequent urination. Men who are infected may also experience the same symptoms.
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If you suspect that you may have chlamydia, screening is simple. A swab of cervical mucus cells is cultured and analyzed. It can be done in conjunction with a Pap smear. Rapid diagnostic tests are able to provide a quick result, sometimes before you leave your doctor's office. A false negative is returned with ten percent of the results. Alternatively your doctor can perform a blood antibody test or DNA test. Chlamydia is responsible for both female and male infertility and if your test results return positive your sexual partners must be notified, tested and treated.
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. Statistics suggest that twenty to forty percent (1 - 2 in 5) of all sexually active women are infected with chlamydia, with the incidence as high as fifty percent (1 in 2) among those aged eighteen to thirty.
Chlamydia is passed through sexual activity including oral sex. Barrier methods of contraception such as condoms and diaphragms offer the best chance of protection. It has been suggested that women who use oral contraceptives risk a higher incidence of chlamydial infection. Infection with another sexually transmitted disease also seems to increase the risk of contraction.
It is estimated that about two percent of pregnant women in private practice in the United States are infected with chlamydia. Some reports suggest that the incidence among young unmarried first time pregnant mothers on welfare may be ten times higher.
It is important to treat chlamydia before becoming pregnant, or as soon as you discover you are pregnant. The disease may cause infertility problems, complicate the pregnancy and damage the baby.
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A number of infections may be attributable to chlamydia, including those of the upper genital organs, uterus, fallopian tubesAlso called the oviduct, it is one of a pair of ducts that lead from the peritoneal cavity over the ovary to the uterus. The tubes serve to lead the ovum to the uterus and the spermatozoa to the ovaries. The fallopian tubes are located in the lower abdomen by a broad ligament called the mesosalpinx.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. and ovariesPart of the female reproductive system, it is one of a pair of female gonads located on each side of the lower abdomen. Similar in size and shape to an almond, at ovulation an egg is extruded from a follicle on the ovary's surface. The mature follicle secretes both estrogen and progesterone to regulate the menstrual cycle.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., which if left untreated may result in pelvic inflammatory disease or PID. Pelvic inflammatory disease has a ten percent chance of blocking the fallopian tubes and uterus leaving scar tissue that can increase the risk of female infertility and ectopic pregnancy. The risk rises to fifty percent after three episodes. As your pregnancy progresses there is an increased risk of premature labor, low birth weight infants, stillbirth or neonatal death as a result of chlamydial infection.
During a vaginal delivery the risk of passing chlamydia to the baby is between twenty and sixty percent (1 - 3 in 5). Frequently an eye infection is the result, which is easily treated with erythromycin ointment. About ten percent (1 in 10) babies may develop pneumonia about six weeks after delivery requiring hospitalization. Other complications include an increased risk of ear and gastrointestinal infections. If your doctor knows that you have an untreated chlamydia infection a cesarean section will be performed after the membranes have rupturedRupturing of the amniotic sac releasing the amniotic fluid. It is usually one of the first signs of the onset of labor. Also called breaking of the waters.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. reducing the baby's risk of infection.
Fortunately chlamydia is an infection that is easy to cure. If you are not pregnant your doctor will prescribe tetracycline: most frequently a derivative called doxycycline (Vibramycin) is prescribed because only two pills daily instead of four are required. After twenty pills taken over the course of ten days the infection will be cured.
If you are already pregnant your doctor will be unable to prescribe tetracycline offering erythromycin (such as Eryc or PCE), which is safe for your baby, instead. After the treatment is complete you will be given another test to confirm that the infection is gone.
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