Hiding in parts of the cervix and penis, chlamydia is one of the most abundant sexually transmitted diseases in the nation, but it is often overlooked.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site, chlamydia is the most frequently reported sexually transmitted disease in the United States, but when diagnosed, it is easily treatable.
Chlamydia is a common STD caused by bacteria that affects the cervix in women and the urethra at the tip of the penis in men, but symptoms are often mild or nonexistent, said Faye Libbey, a nurse practitioner in the Women's Health Clinic at Campus Health Service.
However, when left untreated, the STD can result in complications such as prostatitis in men and pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women, Libbey said.
"An untreated chlamydia infection is one of the leading causes of infertility," Libbey said.
According to CDC reports, approximately 75 percent of women and half of all men infected with the STD do not experience any symptoms.
One of the most common strains is chlamydia trachomatis, which can initially affect the urethra and may cause discharge from the penis. In young women, the cervix is usually affected, Libbey said.
"It likes the cervix of young women. Young women have an immature cervix, and over time they'll get more mature and get less vulnerable to infection," Libbey said. "They're more likely than maybe an older woman to contract it."
Libbey also said the numbers of those infected with the disease seem to increase around autumn.
"Somewhere around 2 to 5 percent of our patients, depending on the time of year (have the disease)," Libbey said. "It seems like we've had an increase in our incidents in the fall."
Nevertheless, Libbey said there are a variety of options available for prevention and treatment. In fact, a new, state-of-the-art test is now available for men.
The new test, which involves taking a sample of urine rather than putting a cotton swab in the penis, can also detect gonorrhea as well as chlamydia and is far more sensitive and accurate.
"It's not as uncomfortable, so guys should come in get it done," Libbey said. "I'd certainly recommend any one of my patients, before they've had unprotected sex with somebody, to get that test done and to have their partner tested."
For women, Libbey emphasized the importance of treating and protecting the cervix.
"For women we usually take a sample of discharge from the cervix," Libbey said. "You got to treat your cervix like it's a delicate flower and protect it."
According to the CDC, chlamydia screening is recommended annually for all sexually active women under 25 years of age.
An annual screening test is recommended for older women with risk factors for chlamydia, such as a new or multiple sex partners, as well.
While women regularly check for STDs such as chlamydia, many men are unfamiliar with chlamydia testing, Libbey said.
Chaz Palaia, an optical sciences and engineering junior, said he felt checking for STDs was important but was unaware of the availability of certain tests.
"I didn't know there were tests available for guys for chlamydia," Palaia said.
Other students said checking for STDs regularly is important for both men and women.
"I think it's important for people to get tested so they can inform partners of the risks they may be facing," said Jeffrey Rutledge, an undeclared freshman.
Libbey emphasized the importance of getting tested regularly and said even if a student does not have any symptoms, they may be affected in the future.
"For men, they could get an infection in their prostate or testicles, which may have started when they were in college and they may not experience symptoms until they are much older," Libbey said.
In addition to penile discharge, men should also be on the lookout for other unusual symptoms like a urinary tract infection, which may be a sign of an STD.
"It's very unusual to have a urinary tract infection in a guy unless it's an STD," Libbey said. "Girls on the other hand can get urinary tract infections caused by other types of bacteria."
However, the disease is easily preventable, and if the person is already infected they can be treated with antibiotics, Libbey said.
"Condoms can definitely prevent chlamydia if they're used from start to finish," said Libbey, "(and) several medications are available for it."