Quick Answer
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It usually produces no symptoms, so many people who have it do not know it, and it can be cured with a course of prescription antibiotics. The word 'chlamydia' names both the infection and the organism behind it.
- Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, not a virus, so antibiotics can clear it.
- It spreads mainly through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom.
- Most infections cause no symptoms, which is why screening matters.
- The same species can also cause eye infections and a rarer genital condition.
- Untreated infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility problems in some people.
- Per CDC, routine screening is advised for sexually active women age 25 and younger.
Context Most Pages Skip
Chlamydia trachomatis is unusual among bacteria because it can only reproduce inside the cells of its host. That trait is where the name comes from - the Greek word for 'cloak' - and it helps explain why the organism can persist quietly for months and why routine testing, rather than symptoms, is how most cases are found. The word 'chlamydia' is also used loosely. In a lab report it may refer to the whole genus of bacteria; in everyday speech it almost always means the sexually transmitted infection. Knowing which sense is meant helps when reading a test result or a diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is chlamydia simple definition?
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It usually produces no symptoms, so many people who have it do not know it, and it can be cured with a course of prescription antibiotics. The word 'chlamydia' names both the infection and the organism behind it.
What's the definition of chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It usually produces no symptoms, so many people who have it do not know it, and it can be cured with a course of prescription antibiotics. The word 'chlamydia' names both the infection and the organism behind it.
What does chlamydia definition?
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It usually produces no symptoms, so many people who have it do not know it, and it can be cured with a course of prescription antibiotics. The word 'chlamydia' names both the infection and the organism behind it.
What is chlamydia definition?
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It usually produces no symptoms, so many people who have it do not know it, and it can be cured with a course of prescription antibiotics. The word 'chlamydia' names both the infection and the organism behind it.
What is chlamydia simple terms?
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It usually produces no symptoms, so many people who have it do not know it, and it can be cured with a course of prescription antibiotics. The word 'chlamydia' names both the infection and the organism behind it.
Related Questions
Sources & Further Reading
- CDC — Sexually Transmitted Infections
- CDC STI Treatment Guidelines
- WHO — Sexually transmitted infections fact sheet
- MedlinePlus — Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Figures reflect CDC surveillance and WHO estimates; they are population statistics, not personal risk predictions.