chlamydia

• Caused by highly specialised bacterium chlamydia trachomatis 

  • Only able to reproduce inside living human cell - difficult to isolate 

  Transmitted by vaginal or anal sex with infected person 
• Most women show no symptoms 

  Some women show symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease 

  • Inflammation of organs in pelvic region (uterus, uterine tubes) 
  • Continual inflammation of uterine tube may lead to blockage by scar tissue → infertility 
  • Implantation of embryo outside of uterus (ectopic pregnancy) 

  If untreated can lead to infertility, eye infection and arthritis 
• Men may develop infection of urethra (non-specific urethritis) 

  • Yellow, mucus-like discharge 
  • Burning sensations when passing urine 

  If untreated in males, bacterium can spread to epididymis causes inflammation (epididymitis) 

  • Pain and swelling of epididymis 
  • Infertility if both testes are infected
• If woman is pregnant, there is 70% chance disease will be passed to foetus during birth

  • Conjunctivitis, nose and throat infections, pneumonia 
• Urine test can be done 

  More accurate diagnosis swab from vagina, cervix, anus or penis 
• Treated with antibiotics 

  Bacterium may never be completely eliminated