Chlamydia Case Study

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to compromise the health of thousands of Americans daily, predominantly adolescents. According to the World Health Organization (2013), approximately one million Americans acquire an STD every day. Although the percentage of adolescents who have had sexual intercourse has declined since the 1990’s, those who have had sex are less likely to use any form of contraception, thus placing them at greater risk of acquiring an STD (Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 2015). Of the many STDs that are prevalent in the United States, chlamydia is one of the most commonly reported STDs (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2011). Undiagnosed or untreated chlamydia can cause many health problems including cervicitis, urethritis, and can advance to severe health issues such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy (CDC, 2011).

Chlamydia is a very small microorganism that affects the lining of mucous membranes of the genitals, mouth, anus and rectum. Chlamydia is one of the most common known STD here in the United States, in fact almost 3 million people a year are affected, both men and women. Leaving Chlamydia untreated can cause long term affects and permanent damages. In women it can cause for her to be infertile, and it men can cause his sperm count to be lower and reduce the chances of reproducing. Each year around 100,000 women are infertile from pelvic inflammatory disease. You can attract Chlamydia by having sexual intercourse with someone that has it rather its vaginal, anal or oral sex. There is one way to reduce a sexual transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia, is to have absolutely no sexual intercourse at all.

Diagnosing chlamydia trachomatis is more difficult and delicate then the process of prescribing a specific, beneficial treatment. The most common, recent, and effective treatment is the use of amoxicillin or, if allergic to penicillins, penicillamine in antibiotic therapy. Amoxicillin is the initial suggestion for treatment. The use this antibiotic could cause a great deal of side effects such as fever, short-term memory loss, fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain. Females who are pregnant must keep in mind that most antibiotics cannot be used during their time of pregnancy. The use of penicillamine comes about if a patient is allergic to penicillins. Penicillamine

The most common sexually transmitted infection is Chlamydia. About three million people are infected yearly (Shoquist & Stafford, 2004). It is especially common among teens and young adults. As is the case with many sexually transmitted infections, Chlamydia often has no symptoms and over half of the people infected have no idea they have anything to worry about (Shoquist & Stafford, 2004). Chlamydia can infect the genitals, eyes, and throat (Friedman & Skancke, 2009). Symptoms, when present, include painful or burning urination, discolored discharge, and uncomfortable swelling (Sutton, 2006). If Chlamydia is left untreated, it can lead to the inability to produce offspring in both males and females (Shoquist & Stafford, 2004).

Chlamydia is the most common reported STD in the United States. Adolescent are one of the largest groups diagnosed with chlamydia each year. The literature has shown that females are diagnosed with chlamydia at higher rates than boys. The percentage of females age 15 to 19 rates of reported cases of chlamydia are 2941.0 per 100,000 population and males age 15 to 19 reported cases of chlamydia are 718.3 per 100,000 population (Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2015).

In this service announcement we will learn about the health risks of chlamydia. Chlamydia is an STD caused by sexual interaction. Sexual interaction includes anal, vaginal, and oral. You get chlamydia in the eyes, vagina, penis, and the lips. This health risk can affect your behavior by not being able to reproduce because nobody is going to want these STD. The dangers chlamydia has is getting infected and not telling your doctor to get a cure. You can reduce your chances of getting chlamydia by using a condom and/or being sexually absent. Chlamydia can cause serious health problems if it’s not treated at all. You know if you have chlamydia if you have abnormal vaginal discharge, a burning sensation when urinating, and a pain or swelling in

Some interesting facts on Chlamydia are that it is known as a “silent” disease with 50-75% of people not having any symptoms. Women that are infected are up to 5 times more likely to get HIV if exposed. It is estimated that 1 in 15 sexually active girls under the age of 19 has an active infection at any given time.

Many people with chlamydia do not develop symptoms, but they can still infect others through sexual contact. Symptoms include pain in the abdomen, and during sex that may include bleeding, discharge from the vagina can be yellow and green colored. But most often half the people infected do not have symptoms at first.

It’s back to school time and while most people don’t necessarily want to think about it, STD’s are very prevalent among college students. Partying and social engagements, are a big pastime and stress-reliever for many college students, which sometimes result in sexual encounters than can unfortunately, end with one or both parties contracting an STI. While that should not deter students from enjoying themselves, they still need to know about and be safe in regards to sexual encounters during their college career.

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium and the causative agent of sexually transmitted disease in humans and is a widespread public health concern because of their high prevalence. Worldwide, an estimated 90 million sexually transmitted C. trachomatis infections occur each year (“Global Prevalence and Incidence of Selected Curable Sexually Transmitted Infections: Overview and Estimates; World Health Organization, Geneva,” 2001). Among Chlamydia infected women rates of 60-70% of the patients are not aware of their infection as in most cases infection remains asymptomatic [2,3], highlighting the public health impact of this disease. Thus, detection of infected patients relies mostly on screening. However, despite the major

Some myths about Chlamydia may include That you can get Chlamydia from a toilet seat, which was proven not true since the bacteria of the disease cannot survive long outside the body. Another myth is that you would know and be able to tell if you or your partner has Chlamydia, as the symptoms don’t always show up. Anyone can catch Chlamydia even if it’s the first time you’ve had sex.

Chlamydia is caused by bacteria, which means the disease can often be treated with antibiotics. Azithromycin is an antibiotic usually prescribed in a single dose, while doxycycline must be taken twice per day for about one week. There are also other antibiotics your doctor may prescribe to you. No matter which antibiotic you are prescribed, you will need to follow the dosage instructions cautiously to make sure the infection clears up completely. This usually takes two weeks at most, during which time you will need to refrain from sexual contact.

If you are pregnant you can give your baby Chlamydia. Giving your baby Chlamydia can cause your child to be infected with pneumonia their body. Your newborn is also at risk to develop Ophthalmia Neonatorum(conjunctivitis). Having Chlamydia pregnant can also make it more likely to deliver your baby too early. Flat out the only way to truly avoid a Sexually Transmitted Disease is by not having any type of sex; even with a condom there is a possibility.

When a woman has chlamydia the symptoms will be an abnormal vaginal discharge, pain during urination and bleeding between menstrual cycles. Sometimes the women’s will have lower belly pain, pain during sex and also itching and burning in or around the vaginal. The symptoms in men’s are abnormal penile discharge, pain during urination and rectal pain. There is also the discharge of bleeding and inflamed eyes.

Have you thought about barriers a patients may face if they are relying solely on physician teaching about chlamydia and other STIs? According to an article by Hardwick, McKay, & Ashem (2007), 32% of physicians questioned stated they often do not have enough time to discuss chlamydia with their patients, so sexual health is rarely discussed unless the patient brings the matter up.