Chlamydia Flashcards
What bacteria causes chlamydia?
Chlamydia trachomatis
Is chlamydia the most frequently reported bacterial STI in the US?
YES!!! In 2015, there were 1.5 million cases in US
Patients with chlamydia are often _____.
Asymptomatic
How is chlamydia transmitted?
Oral, anal, or vaginal sex or via vaginal childbirth when pregnant woman infected.
What factors can increase a patient’s risk for contracting chlamydia?
Having a greater number of sexual partners.
Having an open/immature cervix (teen girls and young women)
What is the incubation period for chlamydia?
7-21 days
What are the symptoms associated with chlamydia in WOMEN?
Usually asymptomatic, or may depend on infection: vaginal discharge, dysuria or if spreads to fallopian tubes (PID, too)
May develop fever, abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, pain during intercourse, bleeding between periods
Can spread to rectum
Can develop oral chlamydia
What are the symptoms associated with chlamydia in MEN?
Penile discharge, dysuria, pain or pruritus around meatus
Male to male receptive sex: rectal pain, discharge bleeding with chlamydial infection
Can develop oral chlamydia
When testing for chlamydia, where should the specimen be taken from?
Use a sample or secretion from the infected area (such as the cervix, urethra, penis, anus, or throat–or urine for molecular testing)
What is the preferred test when looking for chlamydia?
Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT) due to high sensitivity & specificity of molecular testing
Usually tested for in conjunction with gonorrhea.
What are the potential complications of an untreated chlamydia infection in WOMEN?
Can lead to PID (10-15%), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.
In pregnant women: child at risk of chlamydial pneumonia or conjunctivitis.
Possible link with premature delivery.
Recommended annual screening for chlamydia for all women under the age of ____ if they are _____________.
25; sexually active
What are the potential complications of an untreated chlamydia infection in MEN?
Much less likely to cause complications, occasionally epididymitis which can result in pain, fever, rarely, and sterility.
What is the recommended treatment for a patient with chlamydia?
Azithromycin (single dose) or doxycycline (1 week course)
If a patient is being treated for chlamydia, who else needs to be treated?
Any sexual partners will also need treatment.
