Chlamydia infection

Chlamydia infection is the most common sexually transmissible infection (STI) in France.

Chlamydia agent

The pathogenic agent is the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, an obligate intracellular parasite which only infects human beings.

Transmission of chlamydia infection

Chlamydia infection is only transmitted between human beings. It is a sexually transmissible disease, and is transmitted during genital, oral or anal sexual intercourse. it is believed that 4% of sexually active young people are affected. The bacterium is also transmitted to infants during childbirth.

Symptoms of chlamydia infection

The disease is often asymptomatic (more than 50% of cases). It has an incubation period of over 2 weeks. If symptoms occur, these are different between the sexes. In women, the most common finding is cervicitis (vaginal discharge, burning sensation on micturition, abdominal pain, pain on sexual intercourse, vaginal bleeding outside of menstruation or after sexual intercourse). It may turn into salpingitis, an infection of the fallopian tubes which may cause sterility.

Urethritis (urethral discharge, burning sensation on micturition, burning or stinging in the urethra, pain or swelling of the testes) in men.

Symptoms can develop in both sexes: subfertility, proctitis, conjunctivitis.