Chlamydia: All You Should Know - STI Clinic London

Chlamydia: All You Should Know

Chlamydia: All You Should Know
Chlamydia is caused by abacteriumthat is spread during sexual activity. It affects men and women. This STI is one of the most common infectious
diseases. Sometimes, chlamydia doesn't show symptoms, but it can cause infertility. The good news is that there is a treatment for chlamydia.
But what are the possible symptoms of chlamydia? What causes it? How is chlamydia diagnosed and treated? All of these will be answered here.
Chlamydia symptoms
There are usually no symptoms of chlamydia. Studies show that just about 10 percent of males and between 5 to 30 percent of females have
symptoms. Chlamydia symptoms may not show up until after several weeks.
Symptoms in women
Painful or frequent urination
Cervical discharge
Easy bleeding
The pelvic inflammatory disease may occur when chlamydia progresses into the uterus and fallopian tubes. PID may be symptomless but can
trigger infertility.
Symptoms in men
Chlamydia infection in men is symptomised by painful, tender, and swollen testicles or urethra.
Symptoms in men and women
This STI can affect the anus and rectum of men and women via anal sex by spreading from the genitals. Symptoms include pain, discharge or
bleeding from the rectum. Chlamydial conjunctivitis is a condition known as pink eye, where the eyes contact chlamydia-infected secretions.
People may develop chlamydia in the throat if they've had oral sex with infected persons. But the condition is usually asymptomatic (without
symptoms).
Treatment of chlamydia
Those that have been exposed to chlamydia should see a doctor quickly to keep long-term issues like ectopic pregnancy and infertility at bay.
Chlamydia is usually treated with antibiotics. A re-test every three months after treatment is recommended. However, it comes down to the risk
factors of the patient.
Use of antibiotics
The doctor may give you any of these antibiotics for chlamydia:
Azithromycin - Just 1g dose.
Doxycycline - 100 mg two times a day for 7 days.
Ofloxacin - 300 to 400 mg one or two times daily for 7 days.
People may also get medications like amoxicillin and erythromycin. Pregnant women may be given any of these medications. There may be side
effects like pain in the abdomen, nausea, diarrhoea, and vaginal thrush. The side effect of doxycycline is a skin rash (if someone is always in the
sun). Usually, there are minimal side effects. People experiencing severe effects should contact their doctor. Discontinue medication only after
speaking with your doctor.
Ninety-five percent of chlamydia cases are resolved with a single course of antibiotics, says a report. But, it's essential to comply with the
doctor's advice and finish the entire course of treatment.
Other facets of treatment
After completing a single dose treatment or a 7-day course of antibiotics, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise chlamydiainfected
persons to avoid sex for seven days. Infected persons who have confirmed their status should inform partners they've had sex with in the
past 60 days so they can be tested and treated.

Not getting treated or completing the course of treatment may lead to reinfection or passing on the disease to others. Often, chlamydia-infected
persons may get tested for gonorrhoea since the bacteria responsible for both infections can be present at the same time.
Diagnosis for chlamydia
The doctor may perform a physical exam to identify chlamydia symptoms like discharge. Also, the doctor may get a person's urine sample or a swab
from their throat, rectum, urethra, cervix or penis.
Screening for chlamydia
Since the STI is typically asymptomatic, it is recommended that people get a chlamydia screening test.
The following people are recommended to get this screening:
Sexually active females below 25 years.
Pregnant women below 25 years or older, if they are at high risk.
Men with increased risk.
Men sleeping with men should get yearly screening and every 3 to 6 months if their risk is high.
HIV-infected, sexually active persons, at least one time annually.
The procedure for chlamydia screening
People can get tested for chlamydia using at-home kits or at the lab with a urine sample or swab.
For men, a urine sample is usually required for testing.
For women, they can take a swab and send it to a lab.
The doctor will recommend the best testing option. HIV-infected persons may undergo throat or rectal testing.
There are limitations to testing for chlamydia at home, so doing it at the doctor's is usually recommended.
For confirmation of diagnosis, an individual may be asked for a urine sample for testing. After treatment, another test will be done to ascertain
treatment success.
People can get at-home chlamydia test kits online if they need to.
Chlamydia causes
The chlamydia trachomatis bacteria is responsible for chlamydia infection.
Organs like the eyes, vagina, penis, throat, anus, urethra and cervix are affected by chlamydia. This disease can have a lasting or chronic impact on the
reproductive system.
How people contract chlamydia
Via unprotected anal, oral and vaginal sex or coming in contact with infected genitals.
From infected mother to baby during delivery. Often, the baby may develop complications like pneumonia or eye infections.
Ways chlamydia do not spread.
Contact with a toilet seat.
Standing close to infected persons.
Touching surfaces infected persons have touched.
Using a sauna or swimming pool.
Coughing or sneezing.
Living or working with infected persons.
A chlamydia-infected pregnant mother should be tested 3 to 4 weeks after treatment to confirm there's no re-infection.
How to prevent chlamydia or lower its risks
Correct and consistent use of condoms
Keeping a monogamous sexual relationship
Regular screening
Staying away from sex till treatment is completed
Having very few sexual partners

What are the complications of chlamydia?
Complications can be reduced when the case is diagnosed and treated early. The pelvic inflammatory disease, which affects the uterus, ovaries and
fallopian tubes and causes infertility, is a chlamydia complication. The primary symptom of PID is a pain in the top right side of the abdomen.
There are pregnancy complications like cervicitis and salpingitis and other complications like urethritis and epididymitis.
Conclusion
Just like gonorrhoea, chlamydia is one of the common bacterial STIs. It shows up without symptoms. With a screening, a person can know if
treatment is needed. Where there is no treatment for chlamydia, complications with lasting effects can arise. So, those at risk should visit private
sexual health clinic in London for treatment and advice.