What is chlamydia

Chlamydia

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial cause of sexually transmitted infections. In the USA in 2006, more than one million cases of chlamydial infection were reported to the CDC. Any sexually active person can become infected with chlamydia by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her infant during vaginal childbirth.

Chlamydial infections affect mainly young people between 16 and 24 years of age. Risk factors for Chlamydia transmission include high frequency of partner change, multiple partners, and unprotected sex.

Most Chlamydia infections are asymptomatic and, if not treated, can lead to severe complications, mainly in young women. Chlamydial infection can cause cervicitis in women and urethritis in men. However, these infections produce few or no symptoms in approximately 70% of women and 50% of men. Therefore, many chlamydial infections remain undetected.