General Illness Information
Common Name:	CHLAMYDIA INFECTION
Medical Term:	Trachomatis
Description:	Chlamydia is intracellular parasites that have many of the same physical characteristics of viruses. There are 3 different species of Chlamydia namely C.trachomatis, C.psittai and C.pneumoniae. C.trachomatis is responsible for the sexually transmitted diseases. They cause an inflammation of the urethra (the tube that allows urine from the bladder to pass outside the body), vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, anus, ovaries and epididymis. This is the commonest sexually transmitted disease. Chlamydia infection may also be transmitted from an infected mother to the eyes or lungs of her newborn infant. In case of Chlamydia infection patient and sexual partners should be treated with appropriate antibiotics.
Causes:	Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria can be spread by: Vaginal sexual intercourse; Rectal sexual intercourse; Oral-genital contact; Vaginal infection during delivery of a newborn, which may infect the baby and present with eye infection.
Prevention:	Use of condoms during sexual activity. Treatment of all sexual partners of any infected person (usually 2 weeks of an oral antibiotic such as tetracycline).
Signs & Symptoms
Often no symptoms during early stages. Symptoms usually develop between 4 to 28 days after intercourse with an infected person. If a person infected with Chlamydia is not treated, the symptoms may disappear in 60 to 70 percent of the people. Chlamydial infection if untreated may lead to serious complications. Vaginal discharge (females)- yellowish pus-like discharge. Most women infected with Chlamydia may not have any symptoms. Urethral discharge (in males)-clear or cloudy discharge usually less thick than with gonorrhea. Early in the morning there may be redness and dried secretions around the opening of the penis. Anal swelling, pain or discharge. Reddening of the vagina or tip of the penis. Abdominal pain. Fever. Discomfort urinating. Genital discomfort or pain. In newborns, eye infection and sometimes pneumonia.
Risk Factors
Unprotected sexual activity, particularly in young females. Multiple sexual partners.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnostic tests may include cervical smear, rectal smear and Urethral smear for laboratory analysis, or blood test.   General Measures: Keep the genital area clean. Use plain unscented soap. Take showers rather than tub baths. Wear cotton underpants or pantyhose with a cotton crotch. Avoid those made from non-ventilating materials such as nylon. Don't sit around in wet clothing, especially a wet bathing suit. After urination or bowel movements, cleanse by wiping or washing from front to back (vagina to anus). Lose weight if you are obese. Avoid douches. If you have diabetes, adhere strictly to your treatment program. Avoid pants that are tight in the crotch and thighs.v Change tampons frequently. A follow up medical examination is necessary 3 or 4 weeks after completing the prescribed treatment. Testing for other sexually transmitted diseases is recommended (gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV).
Medications: Oral antibiotics, such as tetracycline, or vibramycin taken for 10 days; or azithromycin taken as a single dose and some of the newer fluoroquinolones. In pregnancy, erythromycin is the drug of choice.
Activity: Avoid overexertion, heat and excessive sweating. Delay sexual relations until treatment is completed and symptoms are gone. Allow about 3 weeks for recovery.
Diet: No special diet.
Possible Complications : Infertility in females. Infecting sexual partner. Secondary bacterial infections in pelvic organs, genitals or rectum. May complicate pregnancy. Transmission of infection to newborn during delivery. Conjunctivitis and urethritis.
Prognosis
Complete cure with adequate antibiotic treatment.