Chlamydiae are obligatory intracellular parasites and can only grow intracellularly. Specific properties of chlamydia have only been delineated extensively in the past two decades. Unfortunately, most cases of chlamydia are asymptomatic. Risks Chlamydia affects primarily young women under 25 years of age. Sexually active women under 20 years have chlamydial infection rates two to three times higher than women over 20 years.
Teenage males have higher rates of urethral infection than adults.
Coinfection with gonorrhea occurs in 15-50 percent of the cases. Multiple sex partners increase the risk of infection. There is also a much greater risk of acquiring chlamydia among African-Americans in Indiana. In order to reduce the incidence of chlamydial infections and prevent its complications, a screening program was instituted in Indiana in 1990. This program was a partnership between the Indiana State Department of Health and the Indiana Family Health Council.