The Chlamydia Case Study

The California Forensic Medical Group is committed to increasing the awareness, understanding, prevention and treatment of chlamydia to help prevent new infections and to improve the health and wellbeing of adolescents who are affected with chlamydia.

Over one million cases of Chlamydia were reported to the CDC in 2013. Despite this large number of reports it actually was a decrease by 1.5% since 2012 (CDC, 2014). Epidemiology statistics showed an increase in reported syphilis, including congenital. Other sexually transmitted diseases can pose higher risks for acquiring HIV. According to new studies, HIV is growing faster in populations that are over 50 versus 40 years and younger (BenRose, 2014). Factors may play a role in this such as higher divorce rates, new medications, and safe sex measures. Therefore, it is important for the healthcare provider screen for sexual activity and any change in sexual partners to provide routine testing when necessary and education on preventive

There is no doubt that Englewood is in high risk of Chlamydia infection, especially when data shows that confirmed cases have progressively increased since 2000. According to The Center for Impact Research (2004), Englewood has a dominant female population with 55% of its residents being female. In addition, the Center for Impact Research (2004) mentions that 36% of its residents are 18 years of age and under. As the CDC’s Sexually Transmitted Diseases Surveillance Report (2011) states, “young people aged 15–24 years acquire nearly half of all new STDs. Compared with older adults, sexually active adolescents aged 15–19 years and young adults

Such factors include an adolescent’s age of initial sexual intercourse; it is widely reported that schools provide insufficient sexual health education, and it can hence be strongly inferred that adolescents who fall into the lower end of the 15 – 24 year old age group, have an increased likelihood of chlamydial infection due to an absence of adequate information.

Chlamydia testing is quick, easy and painless. A urine sample is the most common method of testing for infection with chlamydia. It is also possible to have a swab test. This involves wiping a sterile cotton swab around the infected area (usually the genitals, although it may be the rectum, mouth or eyes in a small number of cases). The tests are extremely reliable when carried out by a doctor or nurse at a clinic, and will detect the vast majority of chlamydia cases.

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).

Over 15 million STD’s are contracted in the U.S. each year (Koumans et al., 2005). Over one one-fifth of these cases involve two of the most commonly known STDs: chlamydia and gonorrhea (Koumans et al., 2005) Unfortunately, most of the individuals who get infected with these diseases fall into the age range of 15-24 years old (Koumans et al., 2005). According to Wyatt & Oswalt (2014), almost half of all STD’s contracted each year are by young people ages 15-24 years old. Moreover, the data shows that, “45% of herpes infections, 70% of gonorrhea infections, 63% of chlamydia infections, and 49% of HPV infections occur among youth between the ages of 15-24 years” (Wyatt & Oswalt, 2014). Given that many college students are between the ages of 18-24 years, it is important that schools focus on educating students about the risk of

Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics. Always use a condom when engaging in sex. (Australian Government, 2013)

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most widespread and infamous bacterial infection affecting the genital tract. Not only is it quite common in developed countries but an increase in cases has sprung up in developing countries as well. In the United States, there is a 4 million per year case rate of chlamydia which costs the US approximately $2 billion dollars in consequences and treatments. Persons who suffer from chlamydia in underdeveloped countries and have no means of seeking treatment may become blind because chlamydia has the potential of causing trachoma. It is becoming a global interest to control and restrain this budding disease. In order to do so it is essential to recognize the symptoms of chlamydia, diagnose the victim, and

Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmitted bacterium that falls into the genus Chlamydia. In general it is prevalent amongst the younger adults due to living a promiscuous life style. C. trachomatis can be responsible for both long and short term effects from contracting this bacterial disease therefore the longer you have it the more severe the effects can be. Chlamydia can be asymptomatic meaning it can go unnoticed for a prolonged period of time without any symptoms; the symptoms that do arise are ones that can’t be ignored for they are irritating, painful and harmful, if left untreated. Anyone participating in any kind of sexual activity should be tested annually. There are a variety of ways and resources for diagnosing C. trachomatis along with treatments for this infection which include antibiotics and prevention strategies. C. trachomatis is the most common and reported sexually transmitted disease (STD) in Wisconsin (1). C. trachomatis has specific microbial characteristics such as size and shape. C. trachomatis is an obligate intracellular parasite which is a type of parasite that can reproduce only inside their host cell. Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomati. This bacterium can only be spread by having one or any of the following: anal, vaginal, and oral sex with someone who has chlamydia, this

Chlamydia Trachomatis is an obligate intracellular human pathogen which is a gram-negative bacterium. This bacterium stains pink to red when it’s put under a microscope.

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).

The call for better chlamydia trachomatis (CT) screening programs is neither a new idea nor has been ignored by public health officials. Labelled as a ‘Hidden Epidemic’ by the CDC, North America has seen a rise in prevalence of CT infections over the past decade despite increased promotion of safe sex practices. According to the WHO, CT is the most common bacterial infection in the world, resulting 92 million new infections per year1 and is currently the most common notifiable disease in both Canada and the United States.2,3 The greatest burden of disease is observed among youth aged 15-24 with infection tending to trace societal fissures as certain geographic regions and marginalized populations face

The literature has documented that adolescents lack knowledge and understanding of chlamydia disease, signs and symptoms, and lack knowledge that chlamydia can be asymptomatic. The literature has documented that male’s knowledge about symptoms of chlamydia are lower than females. According to Lorimar & Hart 2010 adolescent have awareness of chlamydia, knowledge decreased as questions became increasingly focused on the disease signs and symptoms so that around half of respondents were unaware of the asymptomatic nature of chlamydia infections. Men’s knowledge of symptoms was consistently lower than women’s, with most men failing to identify unusual discharge as a symptom in men (men 58.3%, female 45.8%, p = 0.019); fewer men knew unusual discharge was a symptom among women (men 65.3% female 21.4%, p < 0.001). The literature has documented that adolescent that lack knowledge on chlamydia disease, do not understand

Due to chlamydia being an asymptomatic infection, transmission is a lot easier and faster to occur. C. Trachomatis is transmitted by sexual activity via semen or vaginal fluid. Can be transmitted orally, anally, or vaginally. Pregnant women who are infected, transmit the infection to baby during labor.