CHLAMYDIA

Pap Smear showing C.Trachomitis (H&E Stain)

Definition
-

Is a bacterial infection that is passed during sexual intercourse

Is known as a silent disease because the majority of infected people have no

symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1-3 weeks after
exposure

Causes
-

Chlamydia is an infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia Trachomitis.

The infection is transmitted in 2 ways:

Sexual Contact (oral, anal and vaginal)

Mother to child with passage of the child through the birth canal. It can cause
pneumonia or serious eye infections in a newborn

Symptoms / Side effects

-

Women who have symptoms might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a

burning sensation when urinating. Others have low back pain, nausea, fever,
pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods. Chlamydial
infection of the cervix can spread to the rectum.

Men with signs and symptoms might have discharge from their penis or a
burning sensation when urinating. Men might also have burning and itching
around the opening of the penis. Inflammation of a duct in the testicle,
tenderness or pain in the testicles.

Diagnostic Test
-

Diagnostic test may include obtaining cultures or sending urine to the laboratory
to determine if infected

Nursing Interventions and Management

-

Notify sexual partners of infections. They should be treated or tested so the

infection is not passed back and forth.

Because there is a strong association between Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, if a

chlamydial infection is documented, women must be tested for gonorrhea as
well

Use latex condoms during sexual intercourse

Medications
-

Oral doxycycline or tetracycline for 7 days or

Azithromycin in a single dose

(Pillitteri, Maternal & Child Health Nursing 6th ed, 2009)
(www.emedicinehealth.com/chlamydia)