What it means
The most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infectionSEK-shoo-uh-lee trans-MIT-id in-FEK-shunAn infection passed from one person to another mainly through sexual contact.Full entry in the United States. Most people, especially women, have no symptoms, so it is found by screening. When symptoms occur they include discharge and burning on urination. Untreated, it can cause pelvic inflammatory diseasePEL-vik in-FLAM-uh-tor-ee dih-ZEEZInfection of the female upper reproductive organs: the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.Full entry , infertilityin-fer-TIL-ih-teeNot being able to become pregnant after a year of regular sex without birth control, or after six months for women over 35.Full entry and ectopic pregnancyek-TOP-ik PREG-nun-seeA pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube.ec- outtop/o place-ic relating toFull entry , and it can infect a newborn's eyes and lungs during birth. It is cured with antibiotics.
For the nurse
Yearly screening is recommended for sexually active women under 25 and older women at higher risk. Teach that partners must be treated and sex avoided until treatment is complete, and retesting is advised after a few months.
At a glance
| Spanish | clamidia |
|---|---|
| Also written | chlamydial |
Related terms
sexually transmitted infection
An infection passed from one person to another mainly through sexual contact.
gonorrhea
A bacterial infection, spread mainly through sex, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
screening
Testing people who have no symptoms to find a disease or risk early.
pelvic inflammatory disease
Infection of the female upper reproductive organs: the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
syphilis
A bacterial infection, spread mainly through sex, caused by Treponema pallidum.