What are the causes of Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by the bacterium called chlamydia trachomatis.
The infection is transmitted through two ways:
• Sexually active men and women can get Chlamydia through sexual contact with an infected person. The more sex partners a person has, the greater the risk of getting infected with chlamydia. The most common transmission of Chlamydia is through (unprotected) sexual intercourse or sexual activity (including oral and anal sex). In a lot of cases (especially women), there are no obvious symptoms and so people who are infected may unknowingly pass chlamydia to their sex partners.
• Chlamydia can be passed from mother to child during birth. Should the mother be infected with Chlamydia, it can cause health implications for the new born child. These can include unpleasant eye infections or more seriously, pneumonia.
(If you are expecting a child it is a good idea to be tested for Chlamydia)
It is important to know that chlamydia cannot be contracted through casual contact such as handshaking or cuddling.
Gonorrhea or Clamydia?
Chlamydia can easily confused with gonorrhea, which is another STD. Chlamydia and gonorrhea have similar symptoms and can have similar complications if not treated. It is important to know that these two STD’s may require different treatments.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines 2006. MMWR 2006;55(No. RR-11).
Stamm W E. Chlamydia trachomatis infections of the adult. In: K. Holmes, P. Sparling, P. Mardh et al (eds). Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 3rd edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1999, 407-422.
Suggested reading
1. Stamm WE. Chlamydia trachomatis Infections of the Adult. Chapter 32 in Holmes KK, et al (ed). Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 4th edition. New York, McGraw-Hill, 2008:575-93. The main chapter in the premier STD textbook, by one of the world's top experts in chlamydial infections.
2. Handsfield HH. Color Atlas and Synopsis of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2nd edition. Chapter 2, Chlamydial Infections. New York, McGraw-Hill, 2001:12-19. A succinct overview with extensive clinical photographs illustrating symptoms, intended for health professionals but easily understood by educated readers.
3. Datta SD, et al. Gonorrhea and chlamydia in the United States among Persons 14 to 39 Years of Age, 1999 to 2002. Annals of Internal Medicine 2007;147:89-96. The report of the most comprehensive national survey of these STDs in the US.
4. CDC. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2006. Atlanta, GA, November 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/trends2006.htm Annually updated statistics on reported STD in the US.
5. CDC. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2006. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2006;55:RR-11. http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/toc.htm CDC's treatment recommendations, supplemented by extensive summaries of key information about all STDs.
6. CDC. Expedited Partner Therapy in the Management of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2006. http://www.cdc.gov/std/ept/ CDC's summary of outcomes of research studies and recommendations use of streamlined approaches to assure that partners of persons with gonorrhea or chlamydia receive treatment.
7. Brunham RC, et al. The unexpected impact of a Chlamydia trachomatis control program on susceptibility to reinfection. Journal of Infectious Diseases 2005;192:1836-44. A thoughtful analysis of why chlamydia rates might be rising despite intensive prevention, suggesting that earlier treatment reduces immunity, leaving persons susceptible to reinfection.
8. Golden MR, et al. Impact of expedited sex partner treatment on recurrent or persistent gonorrhea or chlamydial infection: a randomized controlled trial. New England Journal of Medicine 2005;352:676-85. The most comprehensive of three research studies documenting the effectiveness of streamlined treatment of sex partners.
9. Handsfield HH. Nongonococcal urethritis: a few answers but mostly questions (editorial). Journal of Infectious Diseases 2006;193:333-5. A succinct summary of the causes of NGU and the remaining uncertainties about the syndrome.
10. Scholes D, et al. Prevention of pelvic inflammatory disease by screening for cervical chlamydial infection. New England Journal of Medicine 1996;334:1362–1366. The primary research study documenting that routine testing prevents the most important complication of chlamydia.
11. Marrazzo JM, et al. Impact of patient characteristics on performance of nucleic acid amplification tests and DNA probe for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in women with genital infections. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 2005;4:577-84. The science behind the modern tests for chlamydia.