Transmission, symptoms and screening for chlamydia

Chlamydia is an infection caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis. This is the most common sexually transmitted (STBBI) and is often asymptomatic. The bacteria can therefore be transmitted to a sexual partner unknowingly. Chlamydia is most often diagnosed in young adults (15-24 years old) and women seem slightly more frequently infected than men. Chlamydia can affect the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat and eyes. An individual can be infected more than once in his life.

Chlamydia can be contracted through unprotected sex (vaginal, oral or anal) with an infected person. Transmission can occur even without penetration, orgasm or ejaculation. It can also be contracted through contact between partners’ genitals or the sharing of sex toys. An infected mother can transmit chlamydia to her baby during childbirth.

Most infected people do not show symptoms. Other people, however, develop symptoms 2 to 6 weeks after contact with the bacterium.

In women, symptoms can include:

• A burning sensation when urinating
• Lower abdominal pain
• A change or increase in vaginal discharge (especially between periods)
• Pain or bleeding at the time of penetration
• Fever
• More frequent need to urinate
• A sore throat (usually transient)

In men, they may include:

• A burning sensation when urinating
• Itching in the area of the rectum
• Testicular pain or swelling
• A clear or milky discharge from the penis
• A sore throat (usually transient)

Anyone who has unprotected sex is at risk of being infected with chlamydia and should consult a health care professional for screening if necessary. Chlamydia is detected by identifying the bacterium responsible in a sample of urine or secretions taken from the vagina, cervix, urethra or anus. Various assay techniques can be used, but by far the most widely used is nucleic acid amplification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.

Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) in most cases:

• Urine sample
• Analysis of swabs taken from the throat, urethra, cervix or rectum

Did you know?
The number of reported cases of chlamydia is rising steadily, especially among young males aged 15 to 24.