Chlamydia…. It’s no Joke!

Chlamydia is an STD, or a sexually transmitted disease, that is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. This bacterium only has a human reservoir and is spread from person to person via sexual contact either through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with a person infected with chlamydia. Chlamydia is the most commonly spread STD and can affect both men and women, having permanent consequences if left untreated for long periods of time. Women with undetected chlamydia can have severe problems with the female reproductive system resulting in difficulty conceiving and ectopic pregnancies. According to “Medical News Today” nearly 3% of girls aged 15 to 19 years have it, but the article stressed that this percentage may be more due to undocumented cases because chlamydia is often asymptomatic.

The tendency for this disease to be asymptomatic is what makes it so dangerous. According to WebMD about 75% of infections in women and 50% in men occur without symptoms. Often people do not know they have the STD and unknowingly spread it to others. This is why it is so important for people who are sexually active to be routinely tested and have conversations with their partners about their status before engaging in sexual activity. While most cases are asymptomatic, when symptoms do arise they usually encompass abnormal discharge from the genitalia, painful urination, and women may experience pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, and abnormal bleeding between periods. Since chlamydia is a bacterial infection, it is treatable. Treatment for chlamydia includes antibiotics, usually azithromycin or doxycycline. Symptoms usually go away after about one to two weeks. To prevent this infection, doctors recommend the correct use of condoms and limiting sexual partners.

Unfortunately, there has been a trend of STD increasing. As of October 8^th, 2019, the Center for Disease Control reported that chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis have increased for the fifth consecutive year. I feel that this large increase in STD infections recently has been due to people not practicing safe sex. I feel that many young adults do not necessarily know how to practice sex safely due to lack of education. I also feel that sexually active people are becoming increasingly desensitized to the true danger of these infections because many feel that because diseases like chlamydia are bacterial and can be treated with antibiotics, they have no negative consequences. Unfortunately, many are not aware that these diseases are often asymptomatic and when untreated can cause serious health complications.