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CHLAMYDIA (including non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) |
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What is it? |
| Bacterial infection in urinary and reproductive organs. Can lead to Non-Gonococcal-Urethritis (NGU) in men, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women. PID Symptoms: Fever, pain during sex, abdominal pain. Can also cause arthritis, eye infections. |
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How do I get it? |
| Through intimate sexual contact or body fluids or it can be carried on hands to eyes. Up to 75 percent of Chlamydia infections in women and up to 25 percent of cases in men show no symptoms. If you're sexually active, have regular physical check-ups. |
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What are the symptoms? |
| When symptoms are present in men: Painful urination, whitish discharge from penis or testicular pain. In women: Itching, burning in genitals, greenish vaginal discharge, dull pelvic pain. You must have medical diagnosis. Insist on careful testing. Diagnosis without tests can be inaccurate. Often no sign of infection. |
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Is it dangerous? |
| In men, can lead to arthritis and inflammation of testicles. In women, infection of cervix (lower part of uterus) can spread, causing scar tissue in tubes and painful PID (pelvic inflammatory disease). Can cause sterility if not treated. If passed to infant during birthing process, causes eye infections, pneumonia. |
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Is it common? |
| Millions of people are infected each year. Thousands become sterile. Chlamydia-positive people must tell their partners because some don't have symptoms or pain. |
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How do I get rid of it? |
| Medical diagnosis can be established in a clinic. Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotic therapy. Treatment for other STDs may not cure Chlamydia. If you're sexually active have a test once a year for Chlamydia. |
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REMEMBER: |
| Use condoms with spermicidal foam, cream or gel to limit the spread of Chlamydia. If infected, notify your partner immediately. In some states doctors must report Chlamydia to Public Health Department. |
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For more information contact your local health department or physician. |