Chlamydia causes

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Chlamydia may be transmitted by:

Having unprotected vaginal sex with an infected person.
Having unprotected anal sex with an infected person.
Having unprotected oral sex with an infected person.
Having genital contact with an infected person.

As chlamydial infection often presents no symptoms, an infected person may pass it on to his/her sexual partner without knowing. Childbirth - an infected mother can pass the infection on to her baby during childbirth. Sometimes the infection may lead to complications for the infant, such as pneumonia.

Chlamydia risk factors

Some factors might contribute to the development of chlamydia. For example, a person has a higher-than-average risk of developing this STD if s/he is sexually active. The greater the number of sex partners, the greater the risk of infection.

Other factors that contribute to the development of chlamydia include:

Age- Being under age 25 puts you at greater risk of developing chlamydia.

Birth control -Women using an intrauterine device (IUD) are at greater risk of getting chlamydia than those who do not. You are also more likely to get chlamydia if you're taking the contraceptive pill.

Gender -The cervix of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured and is probably more susceptible to sexually transmitted infection. These women are at particularly high risk for infection if sexually active.

Hygiene -Douching increases risk of chlamydia.

Medical history - Men or women with previous episodes of STDs are more likely to be diagnosed with chlamydia than those without. Additionally, women diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) are more likely to contract chlamydia.

Sexual practices -People with multiple sex partners are at greater risk of contracting chlamydia. People who practice unprotected sex are also at higher risk of chlamydia. Since chlamydia can be transmitted by oral or anal sex, men who have sex with men are also at risk for chlamydia infections.

Chlamydia CANNOT be transmitted through:

Contact with a toilet seat that has been used by an infected person.
Sharing a sauna with infected people.
Sharing a swimming pool with infected people.
Touching a surface that an infected person had previously touched or coughed/sneezed on.
Standing close to an infected person, inhaling the air after they have coughed or sneezed.
Sharing an office with an infected colleague.