Chlamydia

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that infects columnar epithelial cells, particularly at the cervix, urethra, rectum, pharynx, and conjunctiva. It is transmitted primarily through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact. Many infections cause little or no noticeable local inflammation. That quiet presentation is clinically consequential: a person may feel well while infection persists, is transmitted to partners, or ascends from the cervix into the upper genital tract. Repeated or untreated upper-tract inflammation can produce fibrosis and tubal damage, increasing the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. Symptoms, when present, depend on the infected site: - Cervical infection may cause mucopurulent discharge, postcoital bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding, dyspareunia, or dysuria. - Urethral infection may cause dysuria, urethral discharge, or urethral irritation. - Rectal infection can produce pain, discharge, bleeding, tenesmus, or no symptoms at all. - Pharyngeal infection is often asymptomatic. - Conjunctivitis and reactive arthritis are uncommon but recognized extra-genital manifestations. A patient’s lack of symptoms never makes a positive result less significant. The infection still requires treatment, partner management, and follow-up testing for reinfection.