What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Chlamydia in Women
• Infection by Chlamydia in Females
• Infection by Chlamydia in Women

What is Chlamydial Infection in Females? (Definition/Background Information)

• Chlamydial Infection of the genitourinary tract is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in females. It is caused by chlamydial strains D-K (which means chlamydial strain D, chlamydial strain E, etc., until chlamydial strain K). Chlamydia is a small parasitic, intracellular organism
• The infection can ascend upwards from the cervix and cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infection of the fallopian tubes. This is one of the common reasons for infertility. Pregnant women can infect their child during delivery, causing eye or respiratory infections in the newborn
• Chlamydial Infection in Females is typically seen during teenage and young adult stage, depending on the first sexual exposure age. The infection can cause pain while urinating, urethral and vaginal discharge, bleeding from the vagina, and pain during sexual intercourse
• The condition can be easily cured through proper antibiotic therapy, which is highly effective; both the infected individual and their partner have to be treated. With early and appropriate treatment, the prognosis is generally excellent
• Chlamydial Infections can be avoided by practicing safe sex and proper sexual hygiene

Who gets Chlamydial Infection in Females? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Chlamydial Infection in Females is commonly observed between the ages of 15-24 years. The age depends on the first sexual exposure. It is common in the lower socio-economic class because of poor hygiene
• The incidence rate of Chlamydial Infection is 2-3 times that of gonorrhoeal infection (another sexually transmitted condition)
• The infection is observed worldwide; all racial and ethnic groups are affected

What are the Risk Factors of Chlamydial Infection in Females? (Predisposing Factors)

The risk factors for Chlamydial Infection in Females include:

• Multiple sexual partners or a new sexual partner
• Commercial sex workers
• Non-use of barrier contraceptives
• History of previous sexually transmitted disease: Chlamydial Infection is often accompanied by other STDs

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Chlamydial Infection in Females? (Etiology)

• Chlamydial genitourinary tract infection is caused by a gram negative bacteria, called Chlamydia trachomatis
• There are any different types of chlamydial strains; the sero variants (chlamydial strains) D, E, F, G, H, I, J, and K are commonly involved
• The infection is transmitted by unprotected sexual intercourse
• There is a 25% chance that an infected male can transmit the pathogen to a non-infected female, through a single unprotected intercourse

Chlamydia is by necessity (obligate) an intracellular organism; an organism that survives inside the living cell. When the organism is outside a living cell, it is converted into an elementary body (EB) that can infect other cells. On gaining entry into a cell, it inhibits certain cell processes and forms a reticulate body (RB). The reticulate body synthesizes its own DNA and RNA using the cell’s energy. It converts into an EB again after leaving the cell and then begins to infect other cells.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Chlamydial Infection in Females?

Chlamydia in Women may not cause any symptoms in up to 80% of the cases. In the other 20%, the signs and symptoms associated with Chlamydial Infections are:

• Pain during urination (burning sensation)
• Yellow mucopurulent (fluid containing mucus) discharge from the urethra
• Vaginal discharge
• Uncommon vaginal bleeding during sexual intercourse (not related to menses)
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Slow-onset, dull, lower abdominal pain
• Fever

Chlamydia can occur as a co-infection with other sexually transmitted diseases. Gonorrhoea is the most common co-infection with chlamydia.

How is Chlamydial Infection in Females Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Chlamydial Infection in Females may include:

• The first step in diagnosis is eliciting a sexual history and a complete physical exam
• Vaginal, rectal, or oropharyngeal secretions are collected for assay based on the patient’s sexual history. The secretions are subjected to nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), which is a rapid method for diagnosis of chlamydia and gonorrhoea. If the test is negative or unclear, then the secretions may be cultured
• All women who test positive for chlamydia should undergo a pregnancy test, so that some treatment drugs (such as doxycycline) can be avoided
• Infection with chlamydia can imply a higher incidence of HIV infection risk. Individuals with positive chlamydia test should be tested for HIV. However, it is very important to note that not all individuals with a positive chlamydia test will have a positive HIV test
• A Pap smear should be performed as the risk of cervical cancer is 6 times more with Chlamydial Infection
• Testing sexual partners for chlamydia

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications for Chlamydial Infection in Females?

The complications associated with Chlamydial Infection in Females could include:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease, which is an infection of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes
• Sepsis: A severe infection that spreads via the blood stream
• Fitz-Hugh Curtis disease: Perihepatitis, inflammation of membrane around the liver
• Tubo-Ovarian abscess: Abscess formation in the ovaries and fallopian tubes
• Infected pregnant women can transmit the infection to the child during delivery, causing chlamydial pneumonia and chlamydial conjunctivitis in the newborn
• Ectopic pregnancies due to scarring of fallopian tubes
• Infertility (either relative or absolute)

How is Chlamydial Infection in Females Treated?

• Antibiotic treatment is the mainstay of treatment for Chlamydial Infection in Females.
• For lower genital tract infection, oral drug therapy is sufficient. Azithromycin and doxycycline are the first line drugs; usually a single dose treatment is given
• For confirmed or suspected pelvic Inflammatory disease, inpatient care is mandatory. Intravenous antibiotics for a period of 10-14 days may be required
• The sexual partner(s) should also be treated
• Infected individuals should abstain from sexual intercourse for 7 days after single dose therapy, or until the treatment of both, the patient and partner are completed

How can Chlamydial Infection in Females be Prevented?

Chlamydial Infection is solely transmitted by sexual intercourse. It can be prevented by good sexual hygiene, such as the use of condoms, and monogamous relationships.

What is the Prognosis of Chlamydial Infection in Females? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• Antibiotic treatment is 95% effective for Chlamydial Infection in Women. The prognosis is excellent if treatment is initiated early and the entire course of antibiotics is completed
• Re-infection is very common and is related to non-treatment of the infected sexual partners or due to acquisition from a new partner; thus, all sexual partners should be treated

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Chlamydial Infection in Females:

• A sample of cells or discharge, collected from the infected area is used to diagnose chlamydia. A number of tests may be performed on the sample, to arrive at a diagnosis

The following article link will help you understand chlamydia testing:

http://www.dovemed.com/common-procedures/procedures-laboratory/chlamydia-testing/