Chlamydia

May 10, 2023

Dr. Benyamin Mansoori

MD, FRACGP, FACAM
Advance Diploma in General Dermatology
Diploma of Cosmetic Medicine

Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection transmitted via unprotected sex. In Australia, it is the most commonly reported communicable disease, and although it affects mostly young, sexually active individuals, older patients are still at risk. Transmission can occur through contact with bodily fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and semen is not necessary for transmission. Those who have recovered from the infection may still be at risk of reinfection.

Symptoms:

Around 85-90% of infected individuals report no physical symptoms, but those who do may experience cervix inflammation, abnormal endocervical discharge, endocervical bleeding, pelvic inflammatory disease, testicular pain, swelling, and tenderness, epididymitis, urethra inflammation, abnormal discharge, painful urination, pain during sex, bleeding during or after sex, rectal inflammation, abnormal rectal discharge, rectal bleeding, conjunctivitis, and throat infections.

Diagnostic tests:

Chlamydia can be diagnosed through a first pass urine test, self-collected vaginal swab, clinician-collected endocervical swab, self or clinician-collected rectal swab, or pharyngeal swab. All tests use nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) and are considered the gold standard for chlamydia. Asymptomatic patients are encouraged to self-collect rectal or vaginal swabs, and concurrent gonorrhea testing is recommended.

Management:

A GP will prescribe a course of tetracycline antibiotics for chlamydia. Cephalosporic antibiotics may also be prescribed if there is concurrent gonorrhea infection. Pregnant individuals, those with an inserted IUD, or those allergic to medications should consult with their specialist or GP.

References:

AHSM. (2022). Chlamydia. STI Guidelines Australia.

https://sti.guidelines.org.au/sexually-transmissible-infections/chlamydia

Centre for Disease Control (CDC). (2021, July). Chlamydial Infections – STI Treatment Guidelines.

https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/chlamydia.htm