Chlamydia is a highly common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. This infection is widespread because it is often asymptomatic, meaning most people who contract it do not experience noticeable symptoms and can unknowingly transmit it to partners. Despite its scientific name, the infection is often referred to by the colloquial term, ‘The Clap.’
Where the Name ‘The Clap’ Came From
The nickname “The Clap” is actually a historical term that primarily refers to Gonorrhea, not Chlamydia, but the public has often used it interchangeably for both infections. One prominent theory traces the name to the French word clapier, which was an old slang term for a brothel. Since STIs were frequently contracted in these establishments, the name became associated with the diseases themselves.
A less accepted theory suggests the name came from a painful, outdated treatment method for urethral discharge. Before antibiotics, some men with the infection would attempt to force pus from the urethra by “clapping” or vigorously slapping the sides of the penis. Another possibility links the nickname to the Old English word clappan, meaning “to throb” or “to beat,” reflecting the painful symptoms of the infection. The nickname’s association with Chlamydia likely arose because both are common bacterial STIs causing similar symptoms, such as urethral discharge.
What Chlamydia Infection Looks Like
Chlamydia is often called a “silent infection” because the majority of those infected, particularly women, do not experience any symptoms. When signs do appear, they may not manifest until several weeks after transmission. This asymptomatic nature allows the infection to progress and potentially cause long-term harm if left undetected and untreated.
In men, a chlamydial infection most frequently affects the urethra, causing a clear or cloudy discharge from the penis. Other symptoms can include pain or a burning sensation during urination, a condition known as dysuria. If the infection spreads, it can cause pain, tenderness, and swelling in one or both testicles, signaling a condition called epididymitis.
In women, the infection typically targets the cervix, potentially leading to an abnormal vaginal discharge that may be yellow or smelly. Women may also experience pain during sexual intercourse, bleeding between menstrual periods, or a burning sensation when passing urine. If untreated, the bacteria can ascend into the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).
PID can result in the formation of scar tissue that may block the fallopian tubes, raising the risk of infertility or a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. The infection can also affect sites other than the genitals through sexual contact, including the throat, anus, and eyes, sometimes causing symptoms like rectal pain or conjunctivitis.
How Chlamydia is Transmitted and Treated
The Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium spreads through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact with an infected partner. Transmission occurs when infected semen or vaginal fluids contact the mucous membranes of the genitals, rectum, or mouth. An infected mother can also pass the bacterium to her baby during childbirth, potentially leading to eye infections or pneumonia in the newborn.
Routine screening is highly recommended, especially for sexually active individuals under the age of 25, as this demographic has the highest rates of infection. Screening typically involves a simple urine test or a swab of the affected site, and testing is the only reliable way to detect the frequently silent infection.
Fortunately, Chlamydia is one of the most easily treated bacterial STIs, and it is curable with antibiotics. The two most common treatments are a seven-day course of doxycycline tablets or a single dose of azithromycin. Completing the full course of medication is important to ensure the infection is eliminated and to prevent antibiotic resistance.
Individuals undergoing treatment are advised to abstain from sexual activity for seven days after a single-dose treatment or until the completion of a seven-day course. This abstinence prevents re-infection or further transmission to partners. All recent sexual partners must also be notified, tested, and treated to break the cycle of transmission.