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Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies

Johns Hopkins Medicine

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Chlamydia

What is it?

Chlamydia is a family of contagious microorganisms. Specific species can infect various sites in the body, including the genitals, eyes, lymph nodes, and respiratory tract. In developed countries, chlamydia trachomatis most commonly appears as a sexually transmitted genital infection, marked by urethritis in men and cervical infection in women.

Diagnosis of genital chlamydia may be difficult, especially in women, because the infection is often asymptomatic. In women, untreated infection may involve the fallopian tubes (salpingitis), which causes a syndrome known as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID increases the risk of scarring, which can cause sterility and/or an increased risk of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. In men, untreated infection may lead to epididymitis. In underdeveloped countries, other subtypes of chlamydia cause infection of the eyes (trachoma), a leading cause of blindness. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a common cause of mild pneumonia; it has also been proposed as a potential cause of coronary artery disease. Psittacosis—a type of pneumonia that occurs in individuals exposed to birds and poultry processing plants—is caused by chlamydia psittaci. These organisms are of a different subtype than those that cause genital infection.

What Causes It?

  • Chlamydial trachomatis infections may be transmitted by vaginal or anal intercourse and by oral-genital contact.
  • Infection of the cervix in pregnant women may cause eye and respiratory infections in newborns.
  • Touching the eyes with contaminated hands may transfer the infection to the eyes.

Prevention

  • Avoid intimate contact with infected people until the infection is cured.
  • A monogamous sexual relationship or complete abstinence will protect against genital infection; otherwise, use condoms, other barrier methods, and spermicides to help reduce risk.
  • To prevent psittacosis, make sure that any imported or exotic pet bird has been quarantined for 30 days, and that birds of the parrot family have been treated with necessary antibiotics, before buying them.

Diagnosis

  • A culture of urethral or cervical discharge is taken.
  • Traces of chlamydia DNA can be detected in the urine using a new test.
  • Persons at risk—especially those under age 25 who are sexually active—should be screened every six to 12 months, whether or not symptoms are present.

How to Treat It

  • Antibiotics, such as azithromycin or doxycycline, will be prescribed and should be taken for the full term. Antibiotics will be administered to both sexual partners for genital chlamydia. Only one partner may exhibit symptoms, but both must be treated.

When to Call a Doctor

  • Make an appointment with a doctor if you or your partner experience symptoms of genital chlamydia, if your inner eyelids become inflamed, or if you develop a high fever (over 102°F).