Chlamydia infection: case study of Casey

Disease

The person's disease-

Casey" is a 25-year-old Canadian female was diagnosed with the sexually transmitted disease Chlamydia. Chlamydia as defined by the (Center for Disease Control [CDC], 2006) site states that Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman's reproductive organs. Even though symptoms of Chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur "silently" before a woman ever recognizes a problem. Chlamydia also can cause discharge from the penis of an infected man. Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Childbirth, any sexually active person can be infected with Chlamydia. The greater the number of sex partners, the greater the risk of infection. Because the cervix (opening to the uterus) of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured, they are at particularly high risk for infection if sexually active. Since Chlamydia can be transmitted by oral or anal sex, men who have sex with men are also at risk for chlamydial infection. Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about three quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure.

In women, the bacteria initially infect the cervix and the urethra (urine canal). Women who have symptoms might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. When the infection spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus), some women still have no signs or symptoms; others have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods. Chlamydial infection of the cervix can spread to the rectum. Men with signs or symptoms might have a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. Men might also have burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the testicles are uncommon.

Men or women who have receptive anal intercourse may acquire chlamydial infection in the rectum, which can cause rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding. Chlamydia can also be found in the throats of women and men having oral sex with an infected partner.

The person's experience

Casey began the interview with tears, she explained that the situation was still new to her and that she was more devastated than she had expected. Let me give you some background on Casey. She was born in Canada and has lived in the U.S. since she was the age of two. Casey has had only two sexual partners and was monogamous in both relationships. Casey discussed that her first relationship was one and a half years and they used safe sex practices to include condoms every time they had sex. However, her second relationship they did not use condoms except for the first year of sexual activity. I asked what made her change her protection methods during this particular relationship. She responded that he became her husband and therefore there was no longer a need for them to use condoms.

So the next question is well how did you get Chlamydia? Casey contracted the STD from her husband in their second year of marriage. She continued to state how devastating it was to her. Because not only her husband had been unfaithful, but also because she felt that this proved to her how little her life meant to him. I asked for more clarity. Casey feels that if someone loves you and cares for you they would never put your life in danger. She continued by explaining that by her husband cheating on her and giving her a sexually transmitted disease was evidence of complete disrespect for her, himself and the safety of their marriage.

I could have died" Casey stated with tears in her eyes. " I mean, he had no right to endanger my life they way that he did, it could have been something so much worse than an STD that medicine could get ride of. And that is what hurts the most" she concluded.

Casey reported that this truly affected her life in a negative way and has changed the way she views men and will look at future relationships. The most devastating thing to her she stated was the way that she found out. Casey was pregnant, she found out when she went to the doctor to find out if the couple was expecting their first child. Excited by the news they were having a baby, she never thought that the call would come the next day to give her the dreaded news that she would receive.

I remember answering the phone, and saying hello to my doctor." Casey said followed by a long sigh." Then he blew me away, he said you tested positive," Casey stated with her eyes looking as if she was reliving the moment. She continued to say that she thought she was going to die; she had no idea what she had. "As far as I knew after those few words I could have been HIV positive." Casey exclaimed. She did not know what to expect after that she reported.

Then she explained that the doctor went further to explain that she had tested positive for Chlamydia. Casey remembered being relieved, that she was not going to die, however then the rage set in. She realized that her husband had given her an STD. Not only would this STD affect her but also it could affect their unborn child. She expressed that this was what angered her most the idea that he had no respect for the well-being of his wife, himself, or their unborn child. Therefore, she could not trust him and did not know if he would turn around and cheat again, but this time be smart enough to use protection so that she would not be able to tell about his indiscretions. She continued to say that the thing that affected her most was that he could have given her something that could have killed her and the baby, and that was too devastating to think. Now she was just focused on getting her life together and taking care of her new baby boy. Friendships and family ties became stressed because she did not want them to find out for fear that they would laugh at her.

Your experience in the interview

It was strange to see the interview process from the other side. It felt empowering in some way. I liked having the control as far as being the interviewer. I realized that with power comes responsibility. It was important to me to insure that Casey felt safe and secure during the interview, it was also important to insure that her identity and information was confidential.

The interview went well; we were both very comfortable talking to each other during the interview. The process was actually easier than I had anticipated. Although the subject matter was of a rather sensitive nature all went rather well. I would have liked to feel a little more prepared with the subject matter so that it would have been able to feel more connected to the conversation, however we were still able to connect and have a conversation without any uncomfortable moments. I would like to become more familiar with the interview process and possible create more effective means of communication, atmosphere setting etc. Otherwise I am extremely please with the interview.

Conclusion

Life is too fragile not to consider it in every decision that one makes. Casey is living her life healthy and happy now, but not too long ago, she was in a hard position where the results could have been even more devastating and life altering then they were. This leads the interviewer to understand how delicate the conversation about sex and safe practices is, as well as how important it is to have this very sensitive talk with one's children and explain how regardless they need to take precautions. In addition, honestly in a case like this one the best safe sex in no sex at all, however once you have entered a marriage or a long-term relationship, and then what should one do? That is a question that needs more thought and understanding. Where are we as a society if we allow STD is to become so significant in monogamous relationships (on one side of the relationship) that these relationships are no longer safe fro people either. Here is the true concern; is there enough information available and what else can be done?

Reference

Center for Disease Control (2006, April). Chlamydia - CDC Fact Sheet. Retrieved 12/2/07, at http://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/STDFact-chlamydia.htm#whatIs