Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can cause serious damage to a woman's reproductive organs. It is called a "silent" disease because:

• Symptoms are usually minor or nonexistent.
• It can cause irreversible damage, including infertility, before you realize there's a problem.

Effects of chlamydia on newborns
All pregnant women should be screened for chlamydia. There is evidence that untreated chlamydia can cause premature delivery. Chlamydia found in mothers is a leading cause of:

• Conjunctivitis (pink eye) in newborns
• Pneumonia in early infancy

Signs and Symptoms
For women, infection usually begins in the cervix and urethra, and then spreads to the uterus and fallopian tubes. Initial symptoms may include:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Burning during urination

As chlamydia spreads, there may be additional symptoms, like:

• Abdominal pain
• Low back pain
• Nausea
• Fever

Treatment
Chlamydia is easy to treat and cure with antibiotics. Symptoms, if you have them, usually appear 1 to 3 weeks after exposure. If you have any symptoms, see your doctor immediately. You should also understand that:

• All sex partners must be tested and treated.
• Partners who have not been treated can re-infect you with the disease.
• Multiple infections increase the likelihood of damage to your reproductive organs.

Prevention
You can avoid getting and spreading chlamydia:

• Use latex condoms.
• Get tested every year if you're under 25 and sexually active.
• Get tested every year if you're over 25 and have risk factors (new or multiple sex partners).
• Seek treatment as soon as any symptoms appear and abstain from sexual activity until treatment is complete.