Chlamydia – Quick Facts
- Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD).
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2017, 1.7 million cases of chlamydia were diagnosed in the United States But it is estimated that 2.8 million infections occur each year.
- About 2.8 million Americans get chlamydia each year.
- Chlamydia is passed person-to-person during vaginal, anal or oral sex.
- During vaginal delivery chlamydia can be passed from mother to child.
- Anyone who has sex can get chlamydia. The more sex partners, the greater the risk of infection.
- Chlamydia is known as a “silent” disease because most people who are infected have no symptoms.
- Chlamydia infection can occur in the vagina, penis, anus and throat.
- If untreated, chlamydia can develop into serious reproductive and other health problems with both short-term and long-term effects.
- Untreated chlamydia increases the risk of HIV infection or transmitting HIV to partners.
- Men infected with chlamydia can get epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles that can lead to infertility if not treated.
- Chlamydia infection can cause reactive arthritis, or Reiter’s syndrome, in men.
- Babies who are born to infected mothers can get chlamydia in their eyes and respiratory tracts. Chlamydia is a leading cause of early infant pneumonia and conjunctivitis (pink eye) in newborns.
- Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics.
Updated on: April 10, 2019