Chlamydia is the most commonly contracted bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States, and most of the world. In 2008 alone, and in the US alone, 1,210, 523 new cases of chlamydia were reported. Considering that most people who have contracted chlamydia are not aware of it - because it is a "silent" disease - the number is probably closer to 2 million.

The symptoms include:

• In Men

• Burning while urinating

• Discharge from penis

• Itching or burning at the tip of the penis

• Pain and swelling in the testicles

• In Women

• Abnormal vaginal discharge

• Burning while urinating

• Lower abdominal pain

• Lower back pain

• Nausea

• Fever

• Bleeding between menstrual periods

• Pain during sex

Most cases of Chlamydia show no symptoms at all

Typically, people get Chlamydia in the genital region, with a risk of it spreading to the rectum and the abdomen. However, people can also contract it in the throat.

Unfortunately, there are a number of ways to get Chlamydia.

• Vaginal sex

• Anal sex

• Oral sex

• Childbirth (If the mother has Chlamydia, the child may contract it.)

WHY YOU MUST TREAT IT

Just because you have no symptoms does not mean you are good to go. For one, you can infect your sexual partners. For another, there are many complications that are quite likely to occur, including:

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

• Permanent damage to fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues.

• Pelvic pain

• Infertility

• Ectopic pregnancy - when the pregnancy occurs outside the uterus - which may lead to death in the mother and fetus

• Increased chance of contracting HIV

• For men, there is a chance of genital pain, fever, and sterility.

TESTING

Any physician can give you a number of simple laboratory tests that will give an accurate and quick diagnosis. They will swab your penis or cervix or do a urine test.

TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

The best way to prevent Chlamydia is to not have unprotected sex. Make your sexual partner take an STI test to be sure he or she is disease-free. And remember, always wear a condom, because oral contraceptives do not protect against sexually transmitted infections and diseases. Sexually active women over 25 should be tested by a physician every year. If you suspect that you may have contracted an STI, get tested right away. It's SILENT, remember?

The good news is treatment is simple. Your doctor will prescribe you either Azithromycin or Doxycycline. These antibiotics are well trusted to cure Chlamydia. Doxycycline is taken twice a day for one week. Always take the full prescription of Doxycycline to make sure the infection is gone.