An estimated 65 million Americans are currently living with an incurable sexually transmitted disease. Many people have heard of the major STDs - herpes, HIV, HPV - but not as many people are familiar with the less common sexually transmitted diseases. One such example is lymphogranuloma venereum, which is currently uncommon but is increasing in prevalence around the world.

Lymphogranuloma venereum, or LGV, is a rare form of the sexually transmitted disease Chlamydia. Chlamydia is a bacterial disease, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the most commonly reported bacterial disease, with over 800,000 cases in 2002 in the United States. The LGV strand in particular, while relatively uncommon, is growing in number of incidences. Recently, the Center for Disease Control has reported six cases in the United States - two in New York, three in San Francisco, and one in Atlanta. Additionally, while LGV used to be found primarily in the less-developed areas in Africa and Southeast Asia, it is now spreading throughout Europe and the United States. In fact, the Netherlands has reported an increase from 5 cases in recent years to 60 cases in 2004.

Chlamydia and LGV are often labeled as "silent" diseases because approximately 75% of women and 50% of men with either disease do not experience symptoms. Those that do experience symptoms typically do not see signs until one to three weeks after infection.

Women with either disease can experience abnormal vaginal discharge or burning during urination. As the disease spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes, some women may experience "lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods," according to the Center for Disease Control.

Men might also experience burning during urination or discharge from the penis. Some men may also experience burning and itching around the opening of the penis, but rarely will they experience any pain or discomfort in the testicles.

Persons who receive anal sex may contract Chlamydia or LGV in the rectum, resulting in pain, discharge, or bleeding in the rectal area. Additionally, persons who engage in oral sex with an infected partner may contract Chlamydia or LGV in the throat.

Chlamydia and LGV can have extremely harmful consequences if left untreated. Women may have reproductive problems and chronic abdominal pain. Additionally, women with either disease are more likely to get pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and are also up to five times as likely to become infected with HIV if exposed to it. Men with Chlamydia are less likely to experience complications, though they have the potential for pain, fever, and sometimes even sterility. LGV, however, carries much more severe consequences, namely serious illness and permanent disfigurement. Lesions may appear and cause "permanent scarring of the rectal lining," according to Neil Macdonald of England's Health Protection Agency.

Generally, all sexually active people, male and female, are at risk for Chlamydia and LGV. However, it is more prevalent among gay and bisexual men. According to Karlie Stanton from the Center for Disease Control, "LGV is a potential threat to the health of gay and bisexual men in the U.S. Health care providers should watch for the symptoms of LGV in gay and bisexual men, and evaluate and treat patients whenever appropriate. CDC recommends that providers who serve men who have sex with men consider LGV when diagnosing symptoms, such as inflammation and bleeding in the colon and rectum."

LGV is also more prevalent among persons who are HIV positive since "they have a condition that affects the immune system and ability to fight infections," according to Will Mutland from the Terrence Higgins Trust.

Fortunately, LGV and Chlamydia are treatable. The most popular methods of treatment are either taking a single dose of azithromycin or taking doxycycline for seven days, two times a day. Women should get retested three to four months after treatment, especially if she is not sure her partner has been treated. Re-infection can increase complications of the disease. People with the disease should abstain from sex until treatment is complete.

In regards to disease prevention, Stanton offers "Reducing STDs is an important part of CDC's strategy to improve the health of gay and bisexual men in the U.S. The surest way to avoid transmission of LGV and other STDs is abstinence or a mutually monogomous relationship with a partner you know is uninfected, or for all others who choose to be sexually active, to use condoms consistently and correctly." Since the diseases can be contracted orally, vaginally, or anally, a condom must be worn when engaging in any of those sexual activities.

Additionally, awareness of the diseases, their symptoms, and their effects is very important in preventing the contraction and spread of the disease. After the news of recent infections, British schools are improving their sex education curriculums in order to better educate teens on sexually transmitted diseases. Awareness of the dangers of unprotected sex and sexually transmitted diseases can increase abstinence and condom usage, therefore helping to prevent the spread of STDs.

Adhering to their goal of preventing the spread of diseases, "CDC is working with state and local health departments to establish enhanced surveillance for LGV, to test specimens for patients suspect of having LGV, and to develop local testing capacity. CDC will continue to communicate up to date scientific and clinical information about LGV - such as the October 2004 MMWR (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5342a2.htm), and the information posted on our website for clinicians (http://www.cdc.gov/std/lgv/default.htm)," according to Stanton.

Furthermore, many groups are passing out leaflets about the diseases and their effects. For example, The Terrence Higgins Trust has created a pamphlet pertaining to LGV and is focusing their education effort on gay males since they are the demographic most likely to contract LGV.

Though LGV and Chlamydia are serious diseases, it is important to note that even more serious diseases, namely HIV and herpes, can be contracted in the exact same manor as other sexually transmitted diseases. The severity of these diseases, however, is much worse since HIV and herpes are viral infections and are therefore incurable. So while there is a cure for LGV and Chlamydia, safe sex should always be practiced to help prevent the contraction of any STD.

The recent incidences of the contraction of LGV have sparked global interest in the STD. Europe and America are now giving this rare disease more attention by alerting the public about it and modifying sex education programs in schools. By increasing awareness of the causes and effects of LGV, and Chlamydia as well, people are more likely to avoid contracting this potentially harmful disease and may practice safer sex.