Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted bacteria in the United States. The bacteria lives in vaginal fluid and in semen, and effects both men and women. It can be spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected person.
Symptoms
Symptoms show up 7 to 21 days after having sex. Most women and some men have no symptoms. Some symptoms that may develop include:
- Discharge or bleeding from the vagina.
- Watery, white or yellow drip from the penis.
- Bleeding from the vagina between periods.
- Pain in abdomen, sometimes with fever and nausea.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Anyone who is sexually active should be screened for the possibility of chlamydia, even if there are no symptoms. Especially susceptible are women aged 20 to 24 with new or multiple sexual partners. Pregnant women should also be tested to be sure they do not have this infection.
What happens if you go untreated?
If you do not get treated for chlamydia and are carrying the infection, you could give it to your sexual partners. Long term effects include:
- A more serious infection which could lead to damage of the reproductive organs.
- Sterility.
- A mother with chlamydia can give it to her child during childbirth.