Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Chlamydia
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease, or STD, caused by the organism Chlamydia trachomatis. Sexually transmitted disease refers to any contagious disease transmitted from one person to another during sexual contact.
What is going on in the body?
The organism Chlamydia trachomatis causes chlamydia infection. It infects the cells and causes a number of changes. The organism is usually passed from one partner to another during sexual intercourse. An infection can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during birth.
Chlamydia infections most commonly involve the following parts of the body:
What are the causes and risks of the infection?
The organism that causes a chlamydia infection is usually passed from one partner to another during sexual intercourse. Any other intimate contact of the genitals, mouth, rectal area, or the sharing of sexual toys can transmit the organism from one individual to another.
A person is at higher risk if he or she has more than one sexual partner or doesn't practice safer sex measures, such as using condoms.
A newborn baby is at risk of chlamydia infection if the mother has a chlamydia infection involving the birth canal.