How is chlamydia spread?

You can get chlamydia by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has
chlamydia.

If your sex partner is male you can still get chlamydia even if he does not ejaculate
(cum).

If youve had chlamydia and were treated in the past, you can still get infected again if
you have unprotected sex with someone who has chlamydia.
Chlamydia is spread by vaginal and anal intercourse. Rarely, it is spread during oral sex
or by touching your eye with your hand. It can also spread from a woman to her fetus
during birth. Chlamydia is not passed through casual contact. A health care provider
can do tests to see if you have chlamydia, whether or not you have chlamydia
symptoms. Your health care provider may be able to see chlamydia symptoms, such as
a discharge from the cervix. Otherwise, the provider may use a swab or other
instrument to take cell samples from the penis, cervix, urethra, or anus. You can also
have your urine tested.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-
sex/chlamydia#sthash.QeHGAWw9.dpuf

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S. This
infection is easily spread because it often causes no symptoms and may be
unknowingly passed to sexual partners. In fact, about 75% of infections in women and
50% in men are without symptoms.

http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/guide/chlamydia

Causes of Chlamydia Infection

Sex without a condom and unprotected oral sex are the main ways a chlamydia
infection can spread. You dont have to have penetration to get it. Touching genitals
together may also transmit the bacteria. It can also be contracted during anal sex.

Newborn babies can acquire chlamydia from their infected mother during birth. Most
prenatal testing includes a chlamydia test, but it doesnt hurt to double-check with your
OB-GYN during your first prenatal checkup.
Someone can get a chlamydia infection in the eye through oral or genital contact with
the eyes, but this isnt common.

http://www.healthline.com/health/std/chlamydia#Overview1

Epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis infections

INTRODUCTION

Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmitted gram-negative bacterium that causes

infection worldwide. In the US, it is the most commonly reported bacterial infection and a
common cause of urethritis in men and cervicitis in women [1]. The largely asymptomatic
reservoir of infections provides an ongoing source for efficient disease transmission and
also allows for silent disease. C. trachomatisinfection can result in scarring of the Fallopian
tubes, ovaries, endometrial lining, and occasionally, the adjacent perineum, which increases
the risk of future ectopic pregnancy and tubal infertility. These consequences are the main
reason that C. trachomatis is estimated to be the most costly nonviral sexually transmitted
infection [2]. With this in mind, screening programs aimed at preventing pelvic inflammatory
disease (PID) in women began in the late 1980s in the US, and were formally endorsed by
the US Preventive Screening Task Force (USPSTF) and other major organization in the
mid-1990s [3]. Other countries also have national chlamydia screening programs [4].

The epidemiology of C. trachomatis infection in adolescents and adults is discussed in this

topic. The screening, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of chlamydial
infections in adolescents and adults are discussed in detail elsewhere. (See "Screening for
sexually transmitted infections", section on 'Chlamydia and gonorrhea' and "Clinical
manifestations and diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections" and "Treatment of
Chlamydia trachomatis infection".)

Lymphogranuloma venereum, endemic trachoma, and chlamydia infections in the newborn

are discussed in detail elsewhere. (See"Lymphogranuloma venereum" and "Overview of
trachoma" and "Chlamydia trachomatis infections in the newborn".)

MICROBIOLOGY
C. trachomatis is a small gram-negative bacterium that is an obligate intracellular parasite. It
has a distinct life-cycle consisting of two major phases:

The small elementary bodies attach and penetrate into cells, changing into the
metabolically active form, called the reticulate body, within six to eight hours. These
forms create large inclusions within cells.

http://www.uptodate.com/contents/epidemiology-of-chlamydia-trachomatis-infections