Marta Escobar

Biology 1610
March 30, 2016
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that can affect t a high number of teens and
young adults without them even knowing it, but may also be a present infection in any person
who is sexually active. Chlamydia is known to be one of the most widespread sexually
transmitted infections not only in the United States but throughout the world. As reported in the
CDC report of Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, in 2014 a total of 1,441,789 cases of
Chlamydia Trachomatis infection were reported to the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention. (1)
Chlamydia can be spread through sexual contact such as vaginal, anus, mouth and ejaculation
does not have to happen. Additionally, a baby can be infected with chlamydia if mother has
infection during childbirth. It has recently been established that infection of the male or female
reproductive tract by chlamydia can cause heart disease due to the peptides produced by
Chlamydiae being similar to the peptides produced by cardiac muscle(3).
In the medical world, Chlamydia can be known as a silent infection for the reason that in
most cases the person infected is asymptomatic, meaning they are not showing any symptoms.
In women, some of the symptoms may be fevers, painful intercourse, vaginal discharge,
increased urinary frequency and dysuria. In men, they will have complaints of penile discharge
and dysuria. Chlamydia has been known to be a cause of pelvic inflammatory disease; however

some studies have been conducted to find the link between untreated chlamydia infections and
pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility but is yet to be a supported conclusion (2). When
multiple infections happen, there is an increase in risk for Pelvic inflammatory disease.
Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium; however, it is obligate intracellular parasite and acts
like a virus. It is susceptible to antibiotics but depends on its host to replicate its genetic material.
Chlamydia produces a peptide and as the bodys immune system tries to attack the infection it
can recognize and react to this peptide (3). Chlamydia is unable to synthesize its own energy
which is why they are completely dependent on its host for energy. (4)
Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics, most often with one ceftriaxone injection and is
reported to the department of health for treatment of partner. For the prevention of Chlamydia,
many health departments have implemented new strategies such as education for condom use
increase, reducing number of sexual partners, and increased screening and routine testing (5).
While working on a project at my current place of employment we have identified that a large
number of the most affected chlamydia positive population visits the doctor less often than other
age populations and testing and diagnosis is missed due to this fact.
I have never been affected personally by Chlamydia. At the clinic that I work at I see many
cases of chlamydia and I was interested in learning more about this condition since it is one of
the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections. By being informed about Chlamydia, I can
help others around me stay informed and make sure they are tested and treated as well as
preventing this from happening to myself.

Works Cited
(1) CDC. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2014. Atlanta, GA: Department of
Health and Human Services; November 2015
(2) Muvunyi, C. M., N. Dhont, R. Verhelst, M. Temmerman, G. Claeys, and E. Padalko.
"Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection in Fertile and Subfertile Women in Rwanda:
Prevalence and Diagnostic Significance of IgG and IgA Antibodies Testing." Human
Reproduction 26.12 (2011): 3319-326. Web.
(3) Raven, Peter H., and George B. Johnson. Biology. 10th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill,
2014. Chapter 28 pages 556-557. Print.
(4) Lim, Daniel V. Microbiology. 3rd ed. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt, 2003. Page 487. Print.
(5) Pollock, Irene. Chlamydia: Prevalence, Pathogenesis And Prevention. New York: Nova
Science Publishers, Inc, 2014. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 30 Mar. 2016.