The genus chlamydia is made of three species called C. psittaci, C. pneumoniae, and C. trachomatis. Today we will be focusing on C. trachomatis. It stains gram negative which means it has a thin cell wall and it is bacillus or rod shaped. C. trachomatis is also an obligate intracellular organism which means it cannot exist without a host cell. This leads us into our next segment on how C. trachomatis affects us as human beings. To many of us we know C. trachomatis as chlamydia, which is a sexually transmitted disease. “Genital chlamydiasis is the most commonly reported nationally notifiable disease in the United States.” (Engelkirk & Duben-Engelkirk, 2015, p. 373) Chlamydia’s home is on the infected hosts, which is us as humans. Any direct contact with someone who has this disease can potentially pass it on to their partner, in most cases through sexual activity. According to Mark, Dhir, & Roth, 2015, “Chlamydia is transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex with someone who is infected, and can be transmitted to a neonate as the baby passes through the birth canal. Most cases are
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trachomatis. Women who have chlamydia may experience any abnormal vaginal discharge. The bacteria infects a woman’s cervix and sometimes the urethra. When this happens it can cause pain or a burning sensation when they urinate or having to go very often. Men can show signs of discharge from the penis, and just like females they can experience that burning feeling as they use the bathroom too. “A minority of infected men develop epididymitis (with or without symptomatic urethritis), presenting with unilateral testicular pain, tenderness, and swelling.” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015) If you or someone you know experience any of these symptoms and has had sexual contact with another recently, you should advised them to seek medical attention as soon as
trachomatis. Women who have chlamydia may experience any abnormal vaginal discharge. The bacteria infects a woman’s cervix and sometimes the urethra. When this happens it can cause pain or a burning sensation when they urinate or having to go very often. Men can show signs of discharge from the penis, and just like females they can experience that burning feeling as they use the bathroom too. “A minority of infected men develop epididymitis (with or without symptomatic urethritis), presenting with unilateral testicular pain, tenderness, and swelling.” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015) If you or someone you know experience any of these symptoms and has had sexual contact with another recently, you should advised them to seek medical attention as soon as