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Chlamydia - Facts and Figures

The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Disease

By Mark Cichocki, R.N., About.com

Updated: October 5, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Susan Olender, MD

Incidence

  • The most common STD in the world.
  • Approximately 89 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with Chlamydia.

The Symptoms of Chlamydia

About 75 percent of women and 50 percent of men who have chlamydia have no symptoms. If symptoms do appear they emerge about one to three weeks after infection. These symptoms include:

Women
The symptoms in women include:

  • vaginal discharge
  • burning or pain with urination
  • abdominal and/or low back pain
  • nausea
  • fever
  • pain with intercourse
  • vaginal bleeding between periods

Men
Symptoms in men include:

  • burning or pain with urination
  • penile discharge
  • burning and itching around the opening of the penis

Important Fact!
If left untreated chlamydia can cause permanent damage to the reproductive system. However, the damage that the untreated chlamydia causes may go unnoticed because symptoms are uncommon. For this reason, treatment of chlamydia is recommended with or without symptoms.

Your Complete Chlamydia Guide

How is Chlamydia Treated?

Fortunately, treatment of chlamydia is easy and effective. Treatment can consist of a single dose of an antibiotic or a week's worth of antibiotic twice daily. During treatment, sexual activity should not occur. Partners of the person diagnosed with chlamydia should be tested and treated.

Antibiotic Fact Sheets

The Keys to Chlamydia Prevention

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