chlamydia ( chlamydia trachomatis ) is a bacterium that causes an infection that is very similar to gonorrhea in the way that it is spread and the symptoms it produces. it is common and affects approximately 4 million women annually. like gonorrhea the chlamydia bacterium is found in the cervix and urethra and can live in the throat or rectum. both infected men and infected women frequently lack symptoms of chlamydia infection. thus these individuals can unknowingly spread the infection to others. another strain (type) of chlamydia trachomatis which can be distinguished in specialized laboratories causes the std known as lymphogranuloma venereum.
what is chlamydia?