Chlamydia and pregnancy
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 of chlamydia
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 for chlamydia
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 of chlamydia
You can avoid getting and spreading chlamydia if you:
- 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.
