Description

Chlamydia (kluh-MID-e-uh) is a common sexually transmitted disease.

Sexually transmitted diseases are infections that are spread primarily by contact with the genitals or body fluids. Also called Stds, sexually transmitted infections or venereal diseases, sexually transmitted infections are caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites.

Chlamydia is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (truth-KOH-muh-tis), the bacteria and spread through oral, vaginal or anal sex.

You might not know you have chlamydia because many people do not have symptoms, such as genital pain and discharge from the vagina or penis. Chlamydia trachomatis affects mostly young women, but it can occur in both men and women and in all age groups.

It is not difficult to treat, but if left untreated it can lead to more serious health problems.

Symptoms

In the early stage of Chlamydia trachomatis infections often cause few symptoms. Even when symptoms occur, they are often mild. That makes them easy to overlook, which is why regular screening is important.

The symptoms of Chlamydia trachomatis infection may include:

  • Pain when you urinate.
  • Vaginal Discharge.
  • Discharge from the penis.
  • Painful vaginal sex.
  • Vaginal bleeding between periods and after sex.
  • The Testicular pain.

Depending on the person's sexual activity, Chlamydia trachomatis can infect the eyes, throat, or rectum.

Infections of the eye, called conjunctivitis, causes the inside of the eyelids to become red and irritated. In the throat, an infection may have no symptoms, or a person may have a sore throat. An infection in the rectum may not have symptoms or may cause rectal pain, discharge or bleeding.

When to see a doctor

Consult your health care professional if you have a discharge from the vagina, penis or rectum, or if you have pain during urination. Also, check with your health care team if you know that your sexual partner has chlamydia. Your health care professional will prescribe an antibiotic even if you have no symptoms.

Causes

The Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium is most commonly spread through vaginal, oral and anal sex. It is also possible that the bacterium spreads in the pregnancy, during the birth of the baby. Chlamydia can cause pneumonia or a serious eye infection in the newborn.

Risk factors

People who have sex before the age of 25 are at higher risk of chlamydia that are older people. This is because young people are more likely to have more of a risk factor.

Risk factors for chlamydia are:

  • Do not use a condom or incorrect condom use.
  • Less use of health services to prevent and treat sexually transmitted infections.
  • New or multiple sexual partners.
  • Change of sexual partners before learning about a chlamydia infection.

Complications

Chlamydia trachomatis can be associated with:

  • Pelvic inflammatory disease, also called PID. PID is an infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes. Severe infections may require medical attention in the hospital. PID can damage the fallopian tubes, the ovaries and the uterus, including the cervix.
  • The infection near the testicles. A chlamydia infection can inflame the coiled tube located to the side of each testicle called the epididymis. The infection can result in fever, scrotal pain and swelling.
  • Infection of the prostate gland. Rarely, the bacteria chlamydia can spread to the prostate gland. Prostatitis can cause pain during or after sex, fever and chills, painful urination, and low back pain.
  • Infections in newborns. The chlamydia infection can pass from the vaginal canal to her child during delivery, causing pneumonia or a serious eye infection.
  • Ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. The egg must be removed to prevent life-threatening complications, such as a burst pipe. A chlamydia infection increases this risk.
  • The infertility. Chlamydia infections can cause scarring and blockage of the fallopian tubes, which can lead to infertility.
  • Reactive arthritis. People who have Chlamydia trachomatis are at increased risk of developing reactive arthritis, also known as Reiter's syndrome. This condition usually affects the joints, the eyes, and the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of your body.

Prevention

The surest way to prevent chlamydia infection is to abstain from sexual activity. Outside of that, you can:

  • The use of condoms. The use of a latex male condom or a female polyurethane condom in every sexual contact. Condoms correctly during every sexual encounter is lower, but not eliminate, the risk of infection.
  • Limit the number of sexual partners. Having multiple sexual partners, is placed in a high-risk of contracting chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections.
  • Get regular exams. If you're sexually active, especially if you have multiple partners, talk with your health care professional about how often you should be screened for chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections.

A drug called doxycycline may be an option for preventing hiv infection among people who are at greater risk than the average of contracting chlamydia. High-risk groups include men who have sex with men and transgender women.

Taking doxycycline within 3 days of sexual activity reduces the risk of an infection with the bacteria that cause chlamydia. Your healthcare provider may prescribe doxycycline, and any test that you need while you are taking the medication.

Diagnosis

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends testing for chlamydia is for anyone with symptoms of chlamydia. Regardless of the symptoms, talk with your health care team to find out the frequency with which they should be screened for chlamydia. In general, some groups are tested more often than others, such as:

  • All sexually active women 25 years of age or younger. The rate of chlamydia infection is highest in this group, so that an annual review of the test is recommended. Even if you have been tested in the past year, the test should be done when you have a new sexual partner.
  • Pregnant people. Chlamydia screening may be offered during the first prenatal examination. If you have a high risk of infection, take the test again later in the pregnancy. You are at high risk if you are under the age of 25 years, has a new sexual partner or have a sexual partner who may be infected.
  • People at high risk. People who have or multiple sexual partners and men who have sex with men should consider more frequent screening test for chlamydia. Other markers of high current risk of infection with another sexually transmitted infection and the possible exposure to a sexually transmitted infection through an infected partner.

The detection and diagnosis of chlamydial infection is relatively simple. You may be able to use a test that is available without a prescription, sometimes called a test at home to see if you have chlamydia. If the test shows that you have chlamydia, you should consult a health professional to confirm the diagnosis and start the treatment.

To determine if you have chlamydia, your health care professional will analyze a sample of cells. Samples can be collected:

  • A urine test. A urine sample is analyzed in the laboratory to detect the presence of this infection. This can be done by men and women.
  • A cotton swab. A sample of the cervix, vagina, mouth or anus collects a sample for the test. From the neck of the uterus, a member of the health team collects a sample of the discharge from the cervix in a test sample. This can be done during a routine Pap test. For a sample from the vagina, either you or the health care professional can do the swab. For males and females, depending on the sexual history of a sample can be taken from the throat, or in the anus.

Treatment

Chlamydia trachomatis is treated with antibiotics. It is likely that you need to take a medicine for seven days, or you may be given a single dose of a medication.

In most cases, the infection goes away in 1 to 2 weeks after taking the antibiotic. But you can still spread the infection in the first place. To avoid sexual activity since the start of the treatment until all symptoms have disappeared.

Your sexual partner or partners of the past 60 days, you also need screening and treatment, even if they have no symptoms. Otherwise, the infection can be transmitted back and forth between sexual partners. Be sure to avoid sexual contact until all of the exposed partners are treated.

Have chlamydia, or have been treated in the past does not prevent from getting it again.

Three months after treatment, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends testing for chlamydia again. This is to ensure that the people have not been re-infected with the bacteria, which can happen if sexual partners are not treated, or new sexual partners has the bacteria on it.

Preparing for your appointment

If you think you have a sexually transmitted infection, such as Chlamydia trachomatis, consult a health care professional.

What you can do

Before your appointment, prepare for and respond to the following questions:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • Is there something that is better or worse?
  • What medications and supplements that you take regularly?

You can also prepare a list of questions to ask your health care professional. Examples of questions are:

  • Should I be tested for other sexually transmitted infections?
  • In the event that my partner to be tested or treated for infection with chlamydia?
  • Should I avoid sex during treatment? How long should I wait?
  • How can I prevent chlamydia infection in the future?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask a series of questions, such as:

  • Do you have a new sexual partner or multiple partners?
  • Does the use of condoms?
  • Do you have pain in the pelvis?
  • Do you have pain when you urinate?
  • Do you have sores, or unusual discharge?
Symptoms and treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis