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Chlamydia infections in womenDefinition Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by parasitic microorganisms. These microorganisms cause a wide range of infections in humans, including infections of the male and female genital tract, eye infections, and pneumonia. Recent studies have been investigating the potential association between certain types of chlamydia infection and coronary heart disease. The association is still under active debate. Causes, incidence, and risk factors Different strains of chlamydia cause genital, eye, lymph node, and respiratory infections. Chlamydia causes trachoma, which is the most common cause of blindness in the world. In the developed world, infections due to chlamydia are a common sexually transmitted disease; in the U.S., approximately 50 women per 100,000 are infected annually, with women aged 15-24 at greatest risk. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners. Chlamydia is the most common reportable disease in the United States. Sexually transmitted chlamydia infections can infect the the urethra, the rectum, and the throat. In women, the infection may lead to inflammation of the cervix. If untreated, infection may spread to the uterus or the fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease. This can cause infertility and can increase the risk of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. Symptoms Note: Many chlamydia infections have no symptoms.Signs and tests
Treatment Chlamydia can be treated with a variety of antibiotics, including azithromycin, tetracyclines, quinolones, and erythromycin. Erythromycin and amoxicillin are safe in pregnant women. Both sexual partners must be treated to prevent passing the infection back and forth between them, even though both may not have symptoms. Since gonorrhea often occurs along with chlamydia, treatment for gonorrhea is often given at the same time. Expectations (prognosis) Antibiotic treatment is usually successful. Reinfection may occur if compliance with therapy is not good, or if both sexual partners are not treated. Complications
Calling your health care provider Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of chlamydia occur. Prevention A monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner is one way to avoid this infection. The proper use of condoms during intercourse usually prevents infection. As of 2001, annual screening for chlamydia of all sexually active women aged 20-25 is recommended, as is screening of older women with risk factors (such as a new sexual partner or multiple partners) in order to treat those cases that may not have any symptoms. Illustrations
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