Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common STD in the United States, with an estimated 4 million new cases each year. The causative agent is the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is frequently found with other STDs, such as gonorrhea, herpes, and syphilis, and it may be contracted through oral, anal, and vaginal intercourse.

In men the infection is usually manifest by inflammation of the urethra (urethritis). Infected men generally experience a burning sensation during urination and possibly a mild discharge. One third of all men with chronic chlamydia infection develop no symptoms.

Symptoms in women include vaginal discharge, intermittent vaginal bleeding, and ill-defined discomfort or pain on urination. Infected mothers may pass the infection to their babies during the birth process. This may result in conjunctivitis in the child or a more serious condition known as chlamydial pneumonia. More than 30,000 newborns are affected by this condition each year.

When left untreated, chlamydia can lead to arthritis and can damage the heart valves, blood vessels, and heart muscle itself. In men the condition can also lead to sterility. In women the disease can infect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and upper reproductive areas, producing the chronic condition PID. This scarring of the fallopian tubes by PID causes sterility and increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (a condition in which the embryo is implanted outside the uterus).

Tetracycline, erythromycin, and doxycyline are the drugs used for treatment. They are taken orally for 1 to 3 weeks. Taking the full course of medication is extremely important because relapse can occur. All sexual partners should be treated, or the disease can be passed among them.

Gonorrhea

Nearly 2 million cases of gonorrhea are reported each year, making it the second most prevalent STD. Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which attacks the mucous membranes of the penis, vagina, rectum, throat, and eyes. The disease is spread by vaginal, oral, and rectal contact.

Gonorrhea produces symptoms in 80% of men. The symptoms appear 2 to 10 days (average 3 to 5 days) after contact with the bacteria and include a thick, milky discharge from the penis and a painful, burning sensation on urination. These signs should cause men to seek medical treatment immediately. Untreated gonorrhea can result in sterility.

The symptoms in women are discharge and burning on urination, but they may be so mild that they are unnoticed. The bacteria can survive in the vagina and other areas of the female reproductive system for years. During this time, women can infect any sex partners and their fetus if they become pregnant. Contact by the child with the bacteria during childbirth can lead to an eye infection, resulting in blindness. Untreated gonorrhea can lead to PID, the leading cause of sterility in women. In both men and women, rectal and oral gonorrhea may go unnoticed. The disease can develop into a serious infection, resulting in arthritis; meningitis; skin lesions; and liver, heart, brain, and spinal cord problems.

Gonorrhea is diagnosed by obtaining a smear from the penis or cervix. Penicillin is the drug of choice for treatment. If a person is allergic to penicillin, tetracycline is usually used. Physicians commonly treat for chlamydia when gonorrhea has been diagnosed. Gonorrhea can be completely cured, although there is no immunity to the disease. If a person has multiple sexual partners, medical help and advice must be sought regularly.