Infection: Bacterial & STI

Get the Facts on Chlamydia

By STD Concern

A bacterial infection called chlamydia trachomatis and can be treated and cured with antibiotics. It's a very common STI, especially amongst 14-24 year olds. Chlamydia is often symptomless. Spread by vaginal fluids and semen, this infection can affect the genitals, cervix, anus, urethra, throat, and eyes. It is spread through vaginal, oral and anal sex.

Chlamydia Symptoms

The symptoms of chlamydia between men and women are different.

For Women

• may notice unusual vaginal discharge with a possible odor
• as well as itching and burning around the affected area
• painful periods, or irregular bleeding during the menstrual cycle, can also occur
• pain during sex and/or urination

For Men

• painful urination
• swollen testicles
• burning and itching at the penile head
• there may also be clear or cloudy discharge, coming from the penis' opening

Can your Body Heal itself of Chlamydia?

Your body can't rid itself of Chlamydia on its own (1). That is why you will need an antibiotic as soon as possible to avoid complications because most people’s immune system won’t cure this disease. In order to get an antibiotic you need a Doctor's prescription, which requires being tested first.

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Untreated Chlamydia

If left untreated it can cause more serious problems like damaging a woman’s reproductive system, which will make getting pregnant more difficult. It can also pass from infected Mother to Baby during childbirth. Women who have Chlamydia have a higher chance of contracting the HIV virus if exposed. Undiagnosed and untreated Chlamydia can also lead to PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) which can cause Pelvic Pain, infertility and more.

Chlamydia Treatments

Since chlamydia is a bacterial infection, it's easily treated with an antibiotic. Doctors most frequently prescribe doxycycline or azithromycin (Zithromax). Treatment should clear up the infection entirely in 1 to 2 weeks, at the very most. You should refrain from sex for at least 7 days when taking antibiotics.

Transmission Rate

Worldwide transmission of this disease is 2.7% of Men and 4.2% of Women are infected, in the United States its about 1.4 million cases in 2014. Chlamydia causes 250K to 500K cases of PID in USA. PID is short for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and can take up to 3 weeks to develop. PID can cause irreversible damage to reproductive system.

Conclusion

If you don’t want to get this disease than you should be practicing safe sex which includes using condoms, refraining from sex or having sex with just one person who is not infected.

References

1. 7 Myths about Chlamydia - https://www.freetest.me/blog/chlamydia-myths-vs-facts - Retrieved Jan 8, 2019

Resources

• Chlamydia - CDC Fact Sheet – Retrieved July 20, 2018
• Chlamydia Infection – Wikipedia – Retrieved July 20, 2018

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Disclaimer: Articles not intended to Diagnose, Treat, Cure or Prevent Diseases.

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