Sexually Transmitted disease (STD)
Chlamydia
What is it?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Because many people don't have any symptoms, lots of people can have Chlamydia and not know it (75% of the women and 50%of the men infected)
Where is it found?
Chlamydia trachomatis is a gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium. It is found in the human body as a virus It causes Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease, and trachoma, an eyeinfection that is a frequent cause of blindness. It is one of the smallest of all bacteria and its size may be as small as 500 nm in width, not much bigger than the largest viruses. Chlamydia is found in one vagina or penis that starts to get many rashes and the organ may appear red.
What are the statistics?
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States. In 2002, 834,555 chlamydial infections
were reported to CDC from 50 states and the District of Columbia. Under-reporting is substantial because most people with Chlamydia are not aware of their infections and do not seek testing. Also, testing is not often done if patients are treated for their symptoms. An estimated 2.8 million Americans are infected with Chlamydia each year. Women are frequently re-infected if their sex partners are not treated.
How is it spread?
The bacteria can move from one person to another through sexual contact. If a person touches bodily fluids that contain the bacteria and then touches his or her eye, he or she may get a chlamydial eye infection. Chlamydia can also be passed from a mother to her baby while the baby is being delivered. This can cause pneumonia and conjunctivitis, which can become very serious for the baby if it's not treated.
You cannot catch Chlamydia from a towel, doorknob, or toilet seat etc.
Is it curable?
Yes, it is curable it is cured by with antibiotics. A single dose of azithromycin (Azithromycin is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as bronchitis; pneumonia; sexually transmitted diseases (STD. Azithromycin is in a class of medications called macrolide antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria) or a week of doxycycline (treats Trachoma caused by Chlamydia trachomatis)
are the most commonly used treatments. HIV-positive persons with Chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV negative.
What are some preventive measures?
- The surest way to avoid spreading of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term commonly monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.
- Male condoms, when used constantly and correctly, can reduce the risk of spreading of Chlamydia.
- Chlamydia testing is recommended annually for all sexually active women 25 years of age and younger. An annual screening test also is recommended for older women with risk factors for Chlamydia (a new sex partner or multiple sex partners). All pregnant women should have a screening test for Chlamydia.
What types of organisms are involved?
An organism is a very organism which usually can be seen with the aid of a microscope.
The type of organism that is involved is the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.
What organisations are involved?
There is loads of organisations for Chlamydia one of the is Health protection agency
and there is one in Nottingham called NHS
and one in Sweden called RFSL