Chlamydia Infection

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? Chlamydia (klah-MID-e-ah) is an infection of the sex organs that is spread by having sex. Early treatment is very important. Chlamydia can lead to serious medical problems if it is not treated. With treatment, chlamydia is usually gone in two weeks. In women, the infection may spread into the uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes. This can cause damage that may make it difficult for a woman to get pregnant. Women who have chlamydia that is left untreated are at a greater risk of getting HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). Chlamydia can cause infections of the prostate or testicles in men. Touching your eyes after having touched the germs that cause chlamydia may cause an eye infection, leading to blindness.

What causes chlamydia? This infection is caused by a germ called a bacteria. It is spread from having vaginal, oral (mouth), or anal (rear end) sex. Pregnant women with chlamydia may pass the infection to their baby during birth. This could cause the baby to get pneumonia or an eye infection that may cause blindness. You may be more likely to get chlamydia if you have had other diseases spread by sex, like gonorrhea. You are also more likely to get chlamydia if you have sex with more than one person.

What are the signs and symptoms of chlamydia? Often people do not realize they are infected because they have no symptoms. Even without signs and symptoms, you can still pass the infection on to your sexual partner. Following are signs and symptoms of chlamydia:

• A woman may have redness, itching, or discharge (mucus drainage) from the vagina. Other signs for women may be painful urination, pain during sex, stomach pain, and a fever (high body temperature).
  
  
• A man may have redness, itching, or discharge from the penis. Men may also have pain when urinating or have a fever.
  
  
• You may have discharge from the anus if you have anal sex.

What may be done to treat chlamydia? A sample of your discharge will be taken for tests. You may need antibiotic medicine to treat the infection. Tell your sex partner to get checked and treated. If your partner is not treated and you have sex, you may get the infection again. Do not have sex until you and your partner have finished being treated with the medicine. Tell your caregiver if you are pregnant.

What should I do to protect myself and others from getting chlamydia?

• Tell all partners with whom you have had sex in the last three months that you have this infection. They may also be infected and need treatment.
  
  
• Do not have sex until you and your partner have taken all your medicine. Ask your caregiver when it is safe to have sex.
  
  
• Always wear a latex condom correctly when having sex to prevent chlamydia and other STDs. Use a new condom after each ejaculation.
  
  
• Do not have sex (including oral and anal sex) with someone who has chlamydia.

What can I do to help prevent vaginal infections? Chlamydia is a sexually-transmitted disease (STD). Other vaginal infections are not spread in this way. Following are ways you can help prevent vaginal infections:

• Bath or shower every day.
  
  
• Use plain, unscented soap to wash. Rinse the soap from between your legs after a bath or shower.
  
  
• Keep your genital area clean and dry. Wipe from the front to the back after urinating or having a bowel movement.
  
  
• Change your underwear as soon as possible after activities that make you sweat, especially during hot, humid weather.
  
  
• Wear underwear and pantyhose with a cotton crotch. Avoid wearing underwear to bed.
  
  
• Do not use using scented tampons or sanitary pads because they can irritate your vaginal area.
  
  
• Do not douche unless caregivers tell you to. Douching upsets the healthy germs that live in the vagina. Douching does not prevent or clear up vaginal infections.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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