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Chlamydia, the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world, is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.

Credit: Sebastian Kaulitzki | Shutterstock

Though it's one of the most common and curable sexually transmitted diseases in both genders, chlamydia is often symptomless and goes untreated. When it does, the consequences in women can be particularly severe, resulting in chronic pelvic pain or infertility.

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection can spread through the genital tract from various types of sexual contact. About 1.8 million people in the United States have chlamydia, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). However, the number of new infections occurring each year is estimated to be higher, at about 2.8 million new infections, according to the CDC. Teens and young adults are most often affected, according to the American Social Health Association (ASHA).

Chlamydia is considered a silent condition because many of those infected experience no symptoms. People who do develop symptoms may see them occur several weeks after having sex with an infected partner, according to the CDC.

In women, symptoms include:

Vaginal discharge

Burning or pain while urinating

Lower abdominal pain

Nausea

Fever

Pain during intercourse

Bleeding between periods

In men, symptoms include:

Penis discharge

Burning or pain while urinating

Burning or itching in opening of penis

Testicular pain

Swelling of the testicles (although this is uncommon)

Complications of untreated chlamydia can be serious for both genders. In women, the infection can result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can damage the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes and lead to infertility. The infection can also result in chronic pelvic pain. In men, a chlamydia infection can lead to conditions such as prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate gland; or epididymitis, an inflammation of the coiled tube (the epididymis) internally located beside each testicle.

In both men and women, rectal inflammation can result for those who engage in anal sex, leading to pain and mucus discharge, according to the Mayo Clinic. Even newborns can contract the infection if it passes through the birth canal from mother to baby during childbirth. These babies can suffer from pneumonia or a severe eye infection just after birth.

Because chlamydia is hard to detect, the CDC recommends screening tests for sexually active women age 24 or under, pregnant women, and men and women at higher risk because of multiple sex partners or another existing STD. Screening tests include a urine sample or a swab of the cervix or end of the penis.

Chlamydia is a curable condition if the right medication is prescribed and properly used, according to the CDC. Oral antibiotics are most commonly used, including azithromycin (known as the brand name Zithromax), doxycycline and erythromycin, according to the ASHA.

People with chlamydia should abstain from having sex for seven days after single dose antibiotics or until they've completed a seven-day course of antibiotics, according to the CDC. This is because chlamydia can be transmitted to a sexual partner during the antibiotic treatment. To prevent re-infection, sexual partners should also be treated regardless of the presence of symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The only fail-safe way to prevent chlamydia is to abstain from sexual contact with others. Ways to reduce risk include:

Using condoms during every sexual encounter

Limiting the number of sex partners

Undergoing regular screenings

This article is for informational purposes only, and is not meant to offer medical advice.

Additional reporting by Maureen Salamon, Live Science Contributor

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Chlamydia: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

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Though it's one of the most common and curable sexually transmitted diseases in both genders, chlamydia is often symptomless and goes untreated. When it does, the consequences in women can be particularly severe, resulting in chronic pelvic pain or infertility. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.

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What Is the Chlamydia Infection and How Do You Get It?

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Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that's easily cured with antibiotics. It's one of the most common STDs & most people who have it don't show any symptoms

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What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common STD that can cause infection among both men and women. It can cause permanent damage to a woman's reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant later. Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).

How is chlamydia spread?

You can get chlamydia by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has chlamydia. Also, you can still get chlamydia even if your sex partner does not ejaculate (cum). A pregnant person with chlamydia can give the infection to their baby during childbirth.

How can I reduce my risk of getting chlamydia?

The only way to completely avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

If you are sexually active, the following things can lower your chances of getting chlamydia:

Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and does not have chlamydia; and

Using condoms the right way every time you have sex.

Am I at risk for chlamydia?

Sexually active people can get chlamydia through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom with a partner who has chlamydia.

Sexually active young people are at a higher risk of getting chlamydia. This is due to behaviors and biological factors common among young people. Gay and bisexual men are also at risk since chlamydia can spread through oral and anal sex.

If you are sexually active, have an honest and open talk with your healthcare provider. Ask them if you should get tested for chlamydia or other STDs. Gay or bisexual men and pregnant people should also get tested for chlamydia. If you are a sexually active woman, you should get tested for chlamydia every year if you are:

Younger than 25 years old.

25 years and older with risk factors, such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted infection.

I'm pregnant. How does chlamydia affect my baby?

If you are pregnant and have chlamydia, you can give the infection to your baby during delivery. This can cause an eye infection or pneumonia in your baby. Having chlamydia may also make it more likely to deliver your baby early.

If you are pregnant, you should receive testing for chlamydia at your first prenatal visit. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting the correct examination, testing, and treatment. Testing and treatment are the best ways to prevent health problems.

How do I know if I have chlamydia?

Chlamydia often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems, even without symptoms. If symptoms occur, they may not appear until several weeks after having sex with a partner who has chlamydia.

Even when chlamydia has no symptoms, it can damage a woman's reproductive system. Women with symptoms may notice

An abnormal vaginal discharge; and

A burning sensation when peeing.

Symptoms in men can include

A discharge from their penis;

A burning sensation when peeing; and

Pain and swelling in one or both testicles (although this is less common).

Men and women can also get chlamydia in their rectum. This happens either by having receptive anal sex, or by spread from another infected site (such as the vagina). While these infections often cause no symptoms, they can cause

See a healthcare provider if you notice any of these symptoms. You should also see a provider if your partner has an STD or symptoms of one. Symptoms can include

An unusual sore;

A smelly discharge;

Burning when peeing; or

Bleeding between periods.

How will my healthcare provider know if I have chlamydia?

Laboratory tests can diagnose chlamydia. Your healthcare provider may ask you to provide a urine sample for testing, or they might use (or ask you to use) a cotton swab to get a vaginal sample.

Is there a cure for chlamydia?

Yes, the right treatment can cure chlamydia. It is important that you take all of the medicine your healthcare provider gives you to cure your infection. Do not share medicine for chlamydia with anyone. When taken properly it will stop the infection and could decrease your chances of having problems later. Although medicine will stop the infection, it will not undo any permanent damage caused by the disease.

Repeat infection with chlamydia is common. You should receive testing again about three months after your treatment, even if your sex partner(s) receives treatment.

When can I have sex again after my chlamydia treatment?

You should not have sex again until you and your sex partner(s) complete treatment. If given a single dose of medicine, you should wait seven days after taking the medicine before having sex. If given medicine to take for seven days, wait until you finish all the doses before having sex.

If you've had chlamydia and took medicine in the past, you can still get it again. This can happen if you have sex without a condom with a person who has chlamydia.

What happens if I don't get treated?

The initial damage that chlamydia causes often goes unnoticed. However, chlamydia can lead to serious health problems.

In women, untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Some of the complications of PID are:

Men rarely have health problems from chlamydia. The infection can cause a fever and pain in the tubes attached to the testicles. This can, in rare cases, lead to infertility.

Untreated chlamydia may also increase your chances of getting or giving HIV.

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Chlamydia Fact Sheet from CDC. What is chlamydia? How common is chlamydia? How do people get chlamydia? And more...

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Where do you see Chlamydia in the media? - Kate 

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Where do you see Chlamydia in the media? - Kate 

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- In some T.V shows and movies chlamydia is mentioned but you don't often hear about it.
- But it is mentioned here and there to bring awareness, etc.

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-  Chlamydia can infect both men and women
-  Is the most commonly reported STD in the U.S
- Is considered a silent disease because 75% of women and 50% of men never show symptoms causing many people to unknowingly spread the disease

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-  You doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics
- A singe dose of azithromycin or taking doxycycline for 7 to 14 days twice daily

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Is This Disease Or Infection Curable?-TiArah

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Is This Disease Or Infection Curable?-TiArah

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Yes, Chlamydia can be cured with medicine from your doctor.

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-Women can have abnormal vaginal discharge and A burning sensation while using the bathroom
-Men can have discharge from penis and pain or swelling on one or both testicles.

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What Is The Disease Or Infection?-TiArah

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What Is The Disease Or Infection?-TiArah

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Chlamydia is an common infection, that you can get from sexual contact.