Everyone Healthy Library
Chlamydia
Condition / disease reference page from the Everyone Healthy database.
Connected health information
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Condition overview
Attributes
Commonalityis common
Incidenceis approximately 1 in 50 people
Linked signs and symptoms
17Each sign/symptom opens its own page and links back to related conditions.
- Eye Blindness
- Eye: Inflammation of Conjunctiva (Conjunctivitis)
- Fever (Raised Body Temperature)
- Genital Ulcer
- Lymph Nodes Swollen (Glands)
- Lymphogranuloma Venereum (Infection of the Lymph Nodes)
- Pain Abdominal
- Pain During Urination (Dysuria)
- Pain Pelvic
- Pain Vaginal During Intercourse (Dyspareunia)
- Penis Discharge
- Proctitis (Inflammation of the Rectum)
- Reactive Arthritis
- Urethra Purulent Discharge
- Urethritis (Inflammation of Urethra)
- Urinary Urgency
- Vaginal Bleeding
Linked drugs / medications
5Medication information is educational only. A doctor or pharmacist should advise whether any medicine is appropriate.
Treatments, therapies and supportive options
2Grouped by treatment type. These are educational database links, not personal treatment recommendations. Evidence labels are shown only where stored in the EH database.
Linked diagnostic tests and investigations
7These are pulled from both EH diagnostic-test link tables, including the older large test-link table.
Biological and test markers
2This visual map uses existing EH database links to show biological agents and lab markers reported as increased, decreased, or associated with this condition. These are educational relationships only; test results must be interpreted by a qualified clinician because ranges vary by lab, method, age, sex and clinical context.
Often increased
2- Chlamydial IgG AntibodiesReference range exampleAll: 0–0 Not PresentLinked diagnostic tests1Chlamydia Antibody IgG Test
- Segmented NeutrophilsReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 50–62 %; Adult ( > 16y): 2,500–8,000 mm3Linked diagnostic tests2Differential White Blood Cell Count Tests, Neutrophil Absolute Count
Often decreased
0No markers in this group.
Other associated markers
0No markers in this group.
Introduction / full article
Chlamydia
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a bacterial disease transmitted thru sexual acts that can cause significant effects to the infected individual. [1] Usually, the disease does not cause any detectable symptoms thus it is simply spread to a sexual partner. [2]
Epidemiology
Chlamydia has been placed as the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States most commonly involving blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans. Females more frequently have asymptomatic cases. The disease is said to be more prevalent in young aged individuals in the range of 15 to 24 years of age. [3]
Causes
The causative organism belongs to a genus of bacteria called Chlamydia. The most frequent species that affects reproductive parts including the cervix, uterus and epididymis is called Chlamydia trachomatis.
Chlamydia trachomatis is a microscopic bacterium that aside from causing reproductive associated disease may also cause other medical conditions like conjunctivitis and pneumonia. [3]
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms in females are bleeding between menses, dysmenorrhea, pain during urination and during sexual intercourse, burning sensations in the vaginal area, rectal pain or discharge and abnormal vaginal discharge.
Affected males may experience abnormal penile or rectal discharge, pain during urination, pain felt at the testicular area and testicular swelling. Both genders may have fever. An infected newborn may have cough, fever, eye discharge and eye swelling.
Chlamydia may cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility if left untreated. The risk of ectopic pregnancy and cervical cancer are also higher for patients who had chlamydial infection. [1] [2] [4]
Diagnosis
Screening is essential especially for sexually active persons. A urine test or swab test is often requested. Chlamydia testing kits are also available. [5]
Patients may be requested to undergo blood tests, HIV tests and Pap smear if a doctor suspects other diseases like AIDS and cervical cancer. Pregnancy test is also important since anti-chlamydial drugs are contraindicated to pregnant patients. Cell culture and serological tests may also be done depending on the case. It is always important that the sexual partner be examined or tested as well. [3]
Treatment
Chlamydia is treatable with antibiotics. Sexual abstinence is important to avoid the spread of the bacteria. Compliance to treatment is necessary. Retesting is important after some months. [1]
References:
1. http://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm
2. http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/guide/chlamydia
3. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/214823-overview#a0156
4. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001345.htm
5. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chlamydia/Pages/Introduction.aspx