KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Chlamydia is not a pleasant topic to talk about, but it's important because it's a sexually transmitted infection that has a dramatic impact, especially on young people.
In fact, it's so common that the CDC says women under the age of 25 who are sexually active and engage in unprotected sex should be tested for chlamydia.
When left untreated, it causes ectopic pregnancies and infertility in young women. There are no symptoms in 80% of women and 50% of men.
It's also a big issue on college campuses and among sexually active teens. A major study has found that freshmen younger than 20 were nearly 70% more likely to test positive for chlamydia than students aged 20 to 24.
