Chlamydia
ChlamydiaBy: Ashley Christensen
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Chlamydia by Ashley Christensen Ms. Robinson Period 3 / Sociology 2/29/2000 Introduction Today, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's) , are among the most common causes of illness in the United States. People in their teens and twenties are most affected by STD�s, with over 6 million new cases each year, and adults between the ages of 13 and 19 are at the most risk for infection. Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States today. It is estimated that more than 4 million new cases occur each year in people of all ages, the majority of which is in young adults. 1 Many STD�s are present in today�s society, and people are having sex with the mentality that it could never happen to them. This is not the case at all. Especially with STD�s like Chlamydia. This particular disease is quickly spreading through the nation due to it�s uncommon occurrence of symptoms. People are spreading it around without even knowing that they have it. Chlamydia is at an even greater risk in the Santa Clara County, where it is the number one STD among sexually active people in our area.2 Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. This bacteria can only live inside of cells, therefore it can only be passed on through the exchange of bodily fluids such as semen, blood, breast milk, and vaginal fluids. It can be transmitted during vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact with an infected partner. Chlamydia can be treated because it is a bacterial infection. If treatment is not prescribed in time, however, the disease most often results in infertility in both men and women. Chlamydia In Men This infection occurs primarily in the urethra in men. Men are the primary carriers. The symptoms, if present, include things like painful, burning sensations with urination, frequent urination, and unusual discharge of fluids from the penis. Many times, however, Chlamydia goes unnoticed because of a lack of symptoms. The disease can be tested for with a laboratory sample of the cells within the tissue of the urethra. The thought of this test alone is enough to discourage many a man from going into a clinic and getting checked. This and the female test uses a process called DNA amplification to detect the genes of the organisms in genital secretions. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved this process for detection of Chlamydia in urine. This is a major step in diagnosing Chlamydia because it does not require a tissue sample; it can be used in situations where performing a pelvic exam isn�t possible, like in college health units and at health fairs. Results from the urine test are available within 24 hours, another added motivating factor to get tested in the efforts to curb the rise of this STD. Untreated Chlamydia will cause epidiymitis, an inflammation of a part of the male reproductive system located near the testicles, pain and swelling in the...
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