Different strains of chlamydia cause genital, eye, lymph node, and respiratory infections. Chlamydia causes trachoma, which is the most common cause of blindness in the world.

In the developed world, infections due to chlamydia are a common sexually transmitted disease; in the U.S., approximately 50 women per 100,000 are infected annually, with women aged 15-24 at greatest risk. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners. Chlamydia is the most common reportable disease in the United States.

Sexually transmitted chlamydia infections can infect the the urethra, the rectum, and the throat. In women, the infection may lead to inflammation of the cervix. If untreated, infection may spread to the uterus or the fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease. This can cause infertility and can increase the risk of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.

• burning on urination
• vaginal discharge or bleeding
• abdominal pain
• painful intercourse

• culture from cervix in women
• non-culture tests including:
  • DNA probes
  • immunofluorescence assays
  • enzyme immunoassays
  • nucleic acid amplification tests

Chlamydia can be treated with a variety of antibiotics, including azithromycin, tetracyclines, quinolones, and erythromycin. Erythromycin and amoxicillin 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.

Antibiotic treatment is usually successful. Reinfection may occur if compliance with therapy is not good, or if both sexual partners are not treated.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease, including salpingitis (infected fallopian tube) and pelvic peritonitis
• Infertility in women caused by fallopian tube scarring
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of chlamydia occur.

A monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner is�one way to avoid this infection. The proper use of condoms during intercourse usually prevents infection. As of 2001, annual screening for chlamydia of all sexually active women aged 20-25 is recommended, as is screening of older women with risk factors (such as a new sexual partner or multiple partners) in order to treat those cases that may not have any symptoms.