Written by : Dr.M.D.Mazumdar, MD
Chlamydia Trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted organism which causes a disease called Lymphogranuloma venereum. However, the disease is more commonly known as Chlamydia.
It is one of the most common STDs in the world. In the US, an estimated 2.86 million infections occur annually ( CDC)
It is mostly seen in tropical countries and affects men more than women. Chlamydia Trachomatis has been widely blamed for symptomless infections of the female genital tract, especially the tubes and the ovaries.
It is believed to be one of the main culprits causing infertility due to blockage of the fallopian tubes.
Incubation period of chlamydia is 7-14 days. In other words, it takes about 7-14 days for symptoms to appear after being infected by chlamydia trachomatis.
Clamydia can be spread by oral, vaginal or anal sex. Both men and women can get it. Babies born to infected mothers can get eye infections and pneumonia from chlamydia.
Chlamydia can be transmitted even if a man does not ejaculate. Recurrence rates are high - people who have had chlamydia and have been treated can get infected again if they have sex.
Chlamydia does not spread by kissing or hugging or from toilet seats, bath towels, shared cups or glasses, swimming pools etc. The bacteria cannot survive for long in dry conditions and once deposited outside the body will quickly die off. Even if it stays on the surface of something, it cannot enter the body through intact skin. The bacteria would have to come in contact with suitable body tissue such as the cervix, urethra or cornea of the eye to survive.
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Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection can be diagnosed by various methods -
Chlamydia trachomatis is treated with antibiotics. Both the sexual partners should get treatment simultaneously to prevent spread from one to the other. The main antibitic pills used are:
If extensive scarring occurs, as sometimes happens, reconstructive surgery may be necessary.
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