Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It infects mucosal sites through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact and can also pass to a neonate during birth. Many infections produce no symptoms, so transmission and tissue injury can continue while the person feels well. A quiet infection is therefore not a harmless infection. At a genital site, inflammation may remain localized as cervicitis or urethritis. Infection can ascend from the cervix into the uterus and fallopian tubes, producing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Inflammation and scarring explain the later risks of infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. Other recognized complications include epididymo-orchitis and reactive arthritis. During pregnancy, untreated infection can contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes; exposed neonates can develop conjunctivitis or pneumonia. The nursing mental model is detect, treat, prevent reinfection, and look for spread. Screening finds asymptomatic infection, exposure-matched specimens locate infection at each relevant site, prescribed antibiotics treat it, and partner services reduce reinfection. Assessment for PID, severe epididymal disease, or another emergency must occur before the presentation is treated as uncomplicated.