Chlamydia is a common sexually-transmitted illness. It can be found in 5-20% of asymptomatic women, depending on their sexual history. In the majority of cases, it causes no problems, but in some patients, it causes:
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PID (pelvic inflammatory disease)
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Infertility
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Cervicitis
Whenever chlamydia is suggested on a Pap smear, consider one of the following approaches:
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Assume chlamydia is present, treat with Doxycycline (or erythromycin or Azithromycin), and then perform a chlamydia culture to insure it has been eradicated, or
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Bring the patient in for a chlamydia culture. If positive, treat with Doxycycline (or erythromycin or Azithromycin). If negative, ignore.
Read more about the treatment of chlamydia in:
CDC Treatment Guidelines