General Information
Antelope Valley Center
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CHLAMYDIA
Chlamydia (klah-MID-ee-uh) is the most frequently occurring sexually transmitted disease
in the United States. It is caused by an organism that is not always easy to detect, and
often there may be no symptoms (especially in women). However, in women, chlamydia can
cause infections of the cervix (cervicitis), infections of the uterus and fallopian tubes
(Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or PID) and even infertility. In men, chlamydia can cause
infections of the urethra (urethritis), prostate gland or epididymis. In both
sexes, chlamydia can infect the rectum, mouth, and conjunctiva (eyes). Children
born through an infected birth canal can develop chlamydia pneumonia and
conjunctivitis.
Some people may harbor chlamydia for a number of years with no symptoms, and still pass it on to their sexual partner(s). If there are visible signs, they usually occur within 1 to 3 weeks after having sex with someone who is infected. Chlamydia is the most common cause of female infertility. As a result, many healthcare providers now screen all young female patients at the time of annual examinations. Ask your healthcare provider about screening for chlamydia infection.
Men may see a discharge from the penis, often clear, or a slight crusting at the tip of the penis. There may also be burning with urination, often near the tip of the penis.
Women may have a discharge from the vagina, pelvic pain or painful and frequent urination. Occasionally there is irregular spotting during the month or bleeding after intercourse.
Testing for chlamydia can be done at the CSUB Student Health Service (SHS) for both men and women. Samples of discharge are obtained from the penis or vagina and examined in the laboratory.
Chlamydia is treatable with an antibiotic, usually of the tetracycline or doxycycline group or azithromycin (Zithromax). Usually, the SHS physician or nurse practitioner will recommend a follow-up chlamydia test after treatment to ensure that the infection has been eliminated, particualerly in patients with symptoms after treatment. If so, it is important to keep that follow-up appointment. It will also be recommended that you abstain from intercourse until treatment is completed and , if required, follow-up testing is done.
Because the symptoms of chlamydia are similar to those of gonorrheam and, because a person can be infected with both, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people be treated for both diseases.
If you are diagnosed as having a chlamydial infection, your sexual partner(s) should also be examined and treated. Partners who are students should come to the Student Health Service; non-students should seek care at their private physician's office or at the Kern County Health Department Clinic, 1800 Mt Vernon Street, phone 861-3651. Chlamydia is a reportable infection in the State of California, and therefore the Student Health Service is required by law to report your infection to the Health Department. It is possible that you may be contacted by a Health Department nurse or health worker.
PREVENTION:
The only way to insure that you won't get chlamydia, or another sexually transmitted disease (STD), is to abstain from contact with another person's genitals. However, there are several ways to decrease your chances of getting, or spreading, chlamydia or other sexually transmitted diseases:
 | Use Condoms: Use of a latex condom decreases the risk of getting or spreading STIs. Condoms with spermicide are available at the SHS Pharmacy without a prescription. |
| Know Your Partner: The more partners you have, the greater your risk of
getting an STI. Don't have close contact with a person until you know about their history
and their health. After abstaining, the least risky sexual practice is to find one,
faithful, and uninfected partner. |
| Don't Use Alcohol or Drugs in Potentially Intimate Situations: If your
judgment is impaired, the chance of making a bad decision about sex is much higher. |
| Get Regular Check-ups: Anyone having sex should be tested regularly. Remember, chlamydia and other STIs often have no symptoms. The only way to be sure is to be checked. |
CSUB Student Health Service: (661) 654-2394 3/92 mjh/updated 8/96 ck, revised 2/06
