Chlamydia Facts

Many people have heard about Chlamydia but very few know the Chlamydia facts, including what exactly Chlamydia involves. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that often goes unrecognized, and when left untreated can spread to others and lead to a number of health consequences. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 1,210,523 cases of Chlamydia reported in the United States, including the District of Columbia, in 2008. The exact Chlamydia facts for the number of actual cases of the STD remain unknown because many people are unaware they have the STD.

Due to the exact Chlamydia facts for infection remaining unknown, a survey conducted by the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination concluded there are approximately 2,291,000 people ranging in age from 14 to 39 currently infected with the STD. According to this survey, women are more likely to become re-infected with the STD than men; however, men can become re-infected as well. The Chlamydia facts remain only estimations due to the fact the disease is known as "the silent disease" based on the information that the majority of people infected never experience or recognize the symptoms of Chlamydia, which allows the STD to continue to spread.

The Chlamydia facts for men with untreated cases of the STD include an infection within the scrotum, known as epididymitis. This can cause severe pain, fever, and can even progress to cause sterility. Men need to seek treatment for Chlamydia as soon as they suspect symptoms of the infected to decrease the risk of complications and spreading the infection to others.