Abstinence - STD's - Dating - Parenting - Marriage Matters - Sexual Assault - Cohabitation

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE:
Chlamydia - Gonorrhea - Herpes - HPV & Genital Warts - Syphillis - Trichomonoiasis - HIV/AIDS - Prevention

Chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by a type of bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. CDC says it is the most frequently reported bacterial STD, with 2.8 million new cases estimated each year. 75 percent of those reported cases are in people under the age of 25.

Symptoms
Half of the men and 75 percent of the women infected have no symptoms. If there are any, they show up one to three weeks after infection. For men, there is a burning sensation while urinating and there might be a discharge. There can also be a burning or itching at the opening of the penis or pain and swelling in the testicles. The bacteria first attacks the cervix and the urethra in women. If there are any symptoms, a burning sensation while urinating and/or a unusual vaginal discharge are most common. If the infection spreads beyond the cervix, to the other reproductive organs in a woman, there may be some pain, perhaps a fever or bleeding between periods. Unfortunately in the vast majority of cases there are no signs. Chlamydia, when it spreads can cause permanent damage to the reproductive system of a woman.

Diagnosis & Treatment
Testing for chlamydia is relatively simple. A specimen can be taken from the penis or the cervix to test for the bacteria directly. A urine sample can also be used to detect the bacteria. Treatment involves a round of antibiotics. The sex partners of infected people also should be tested and treated if needed. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends that women under the age of 25 who have had any kind of sex be tested for chlamydia on a regular basis.