Got Chlamydia?
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Who is at risk from chlamydia infection or other STD's?
Any sexually active man and woman can be exposed to chlamydia bacteria during sexual contact with an infected person. The more sex partners a person has, the greater the risk of chlamydia infection.
Could I have caught another sexually transmitted disease as well?
Yes, It is important that you also get tested for other sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis and HIV. If you have contracted a Chlamydia infection, you may also have been exposed to other STD’s as well. It is important to receive medical advice and treatment.
You have been infected; don't infect others.
If you have been diagnosed with a Chlamydia infection you should inform all of your sexual partners so that they can be tested and treated.
You should also reframe from sexual activity until your infection has been completely cured.
We hope this information is useful.
Useful Sites:
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.