Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by infection with the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is transmitted through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected individual. It can also be transmitted from a mother with an untreated chlamydial cervical infection to her newborn during childbirth.
Most individuals infected with chlamydia remain asymptomatic, with only an estimated 10% of infected males showing symptoms and 5-30% of infected females.
Symptomatic females this can result in abnormal vaginal discharge, endocervical bleeding, increased urinary frequency, and dysuria.
Symptomatic males generally develop urethritis resulting in urethral discharge, dysuria, and testicular pain.
Chlamydia infections of the rectum may lead to rectal pain, discharge and/or bleeding.
Chlamydia is easily cured with antibiotics; however, repeat chlamydial infections from sexual contact with an infected partner are common, which increase the risk of serious reproductive health complications. Antibiotics do not repair any permanent damage done by the disease. Condom use reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of chlamydia.