$Unique_ID{BRK01145} $Pretitle{} $Title{What is "Chlamydia"} $Subject{sex chlamydia Infections infection Genitourinary lifestyle lifestyles sexually transmitted disease std trachomatis virus viruses viral bacteria bacterium bacterial reproductive vaginal discharge urination pelvic inflammatory diseases pid involuntary sterility ectopic pregnancy tetracycline doxycycline antibiotic lymphogranuloma venerum venereal diseases vd trachoma trachomas sterile fertility fertile infertility infertile} $Volume{J-23} $Log{ Sexually Transmitted Disease: Chlamydia*0006404.scf Pathways of Infection of PID*0007902.scf Diseases of the Female Reproductive System*0009001.scf} Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. What is "Chlamydia" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: I saw a frightening report about a sex disease that I never heard about before. It was called "chlamydia," but the program was over before I could understand what they were trying to say. If this is such an important disease perhaps you should provide some information about it in your column. I know I would be most grateful. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: This is an important disease, as chlamydial infections are now reaching epidemic proportions. According to one estimate, 4 million men, women and children become infected each year, making this the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. It is an enormous health threat and the annual cost of the infection is estimated to be $1.4 billion, 79 percent of which results from complications that occur in women. The organism that causes the infection is Chlamydia trachomatis, and has characteristics of both viruses and bacteria. As with viruses the organism only grows inside of cells, particularly cells that form part of the reproductive system. Like bacteria, it reproduces by dividing in two (binary fission). Once it penetrates into a cell, it begins to divide and multiply until more than 500 new organisms have been produced. The cell is destroyed and bursts, spilling out all of these new infecting agents. It takes about 48 hours for this to happen, which explains why this disease has a relatively long incubation period. The reason this disease has spread so rapidly may be the fact that the majority of women, as many as 80 percent, experience no symptoms or only a mild vaginal discharge. By contrast 80 percent of infected men are symptomatic, with discharge and painful urination being common. Recently new and reliable laboratory tests have made the diagnosis of trachoma infections a bit easier, and there are now screening tests available that may be used in a physician's office. The consequences of the infection are especially important to women, as it causes about 50 percent of acute pelvic inflammatory disease seen, and is suspected to be the primary cause of involuntary sterility and ectopic pregnancy. All patients, with or without symptoms, and their sexual partners should be treated with tetracycline or doxycycline antibiotic for seven days. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.