Introduction
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which can affect those that are sexually active, which is to say that it can affect a very large range in age groups through-out the population. It is very interesting in that chlamydia is the most oft reported STI in the United States (Breguet, 2007) with over three million new cases each year (Silverstein & Silverstein-Nunn, 2006). Another very interesting fact is that chlamydia is known as a “silent” disease. That is to say that often times in both men and women there are no symptoms of infection (Ross, 2008). In fact as many as 85% of women and 40% of men who are currently infected are without symptoms (Silverstein, Silverstein, & Silverstein-Nunn, 2006). This can cause …show more content…

They then found these psychosocial problems led to the following potential mediating factors: increased exposure to higher risk behaviors, partners, and core groups, and risk desensitization, which in turn leads to earlier age of sexual debut, increased number of partners, and inconsistent condom use. It is easy to connect the dots and see that an increase in the number of partners and inconsistent condom use could lead to increased rates of chlaymdia.
Agent
It’s been mentioned in the host section that chlamydia is an infectious agent caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
Determination of the Extent of the Problem
Geographically chlamydia is located all throughout the world. For the case of this paper I will concentrate mainly on where it is located throughout the United States. Chlamydia is located in all states, but the highest cases are seen in the southern states, Alaska, and Hawaii.
There are not any trends or time relationships associated with chlamydia. It is spread year round as one infected partner engages in sexual activity with a non-infected partner.
I’ve already discussed in the biological environment section the proportion of the population affected (mainly the young, and mainly women). I’ve also discussed the severity of the effects of the problem if left untreated in both men and women.