Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease that if left untreated can lead to serious health problems. Chlamydia is known as “The silent STD” because often there are no symptoms. The most common symptoms are a discharge from the penis or vagina and/or painful urination. Because these symptoms are often signs of another problem they may go unnoticed.
Chlamydia is diagnosed though either a urine sample or a fluid sample. Chlamydia is treatable and curable with common antibiotics such as erythromycin. If left untreated it can lead to complications like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women or Epididymis in men. Both these diseases can leave a person sterile.
Like many other STDs a newborn baby whose mother is infected can pass it on to her baby. A baby may pass through the birth canal and contract an eye infection known as conjunctivitis or even pneumonia. Women should always get an exam if they think they have been exposed to Chlamydia.
