$Unique_ID{BRK01145}
$Pretitle{Infections or Parasites, Genitourinary System}
$Title{What is "Chlamydia"}
$Subject{sex infection chlamydia}
$Volume{A-23, J-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is "Chlamydia"


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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.

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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 woman, 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
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.
ÿ
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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.
