Why is chlamydia dangerous and how is it treated?

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

This common genital infection often has no symptoms.

What is chlamydia

Chlamydia Patient education: Chlamydia (Beyond the Basics) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections Chlamydia trachomatis. It can be transmitted by Chlamydia - CDC Fact Sheet from an infected person during vaginal, anal and oral sex, and from mother to child during childbirth. But through household items, for example, the rim of the toilet bowl, you cannot pick up chlamydia.

Why is chlamydia dangerous?

Chlamydia Infections often show no symptoms after infection, so people are unaware of their illness. And chlamydia is secretive and becomes chronic. Because of this, severe complications of Chlamydia trachomatis occur. In women it is:

• Inflammation of the pelvic organs. The infection affects the uterus and appendages, causing pain, fever. If the inflammation lasts a long time, adhesions develop - dense fibers of connective tissue.
• Ectopic pregnancy. The fertilized egg gets stuck in the fallopian tube or cannot attach to the mucous membrane due to adhesions and chronic inflammation caused by chlamydia.
• Infertility. Chronic chlamydia, even without symptoms, can make the fallopian tubes impassable, so pregnancy cannot naturally occur.
• Newborn infections. If the baby's mother had chlamydia at the time of delivery, bacteria can enter the baby's eyes and cause conjunctivitis or lungs, leading to pneumonia.

In men of Chlamydia trachomatis, the epididymis often becomes inflamed and epididymitis occurs, which is manifested by pain and swelling of the scrotum. If the bacteria invades the prostate gland, prostatitis develops.

In any person, chronic chlamydia can change the state of immunity. Therefore, reactive arthritis, or Reiter's syndrome, develops - inflammation of the joints.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia

Usually doctors mean by this disease an infection Patient education: Chlamydia (Beyond the Basics) of the genitals. But the bacteria can spread to other places, so the symptoms will differ depending on the type of chlamydia.

Urogenital

The symptoms of the disease are different in men and women.

Half of Chlamydia has no recent manifestations at all. But sometimes the following symptoms are observed:

• Vaginal discharge. There are white, greenish, yellow and unpleasant odors.
• Itching and burning at the entrance to the vagina, as well as when urinating.
• Bleeding between periods.
• Abdominal pain. It may appear in the lower part, above the bosom, or slightly higher and to the right. Painful sensations intensify during menstruation or sex. Patient education: Chlamydia (Beyond the Basics).

Men may also be asymptomatic. But most often, transparent or whitish discharge from the penis, burning sensation when urinating, and swelling of the testicles are concerned.

Ophthalmic

As we have already said, if chlamydia gets on the mucous membrane of the eyes, conjunctivitis develops. Usually, this form of the disease occurs in newborn children, but it can also occur in adults. Inflammation has the following Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) symptoms:

• redness of the whites of the eyes;
• swelling of the eyelids;
• thick discharge on the eyelashes, especially after sleep;
• burning, itching, or gritty feeling in the eyes;
• blurry vision;
• sensitivity to light.

Anal

If chlamydia gets into the rectum, it causes Chlamydia Infections to inflame it. This is manifested by pain, discharge is sometimes noticeable or bleeding begins.

What to do if you suspect chlamydia

If there are symptoms of the disease or there was unprotected intercourse, you need to contact your gynecologist or urologist. Patient education: Chlamydia (Beyond the Basics) is also recommended once a year for all sexually active women over 25 and for all men who practice anal sex, even if there are no signs of infection. Chlamydia testing is mandatory for all pregnant women and those infected with HIV.

The analysis is carried out in different ways Patient education: Chlamydia (Beyond the Basics):

• check urine;
• take a swab from the rectum;
• study of discharge from the cervix in women;
• get a swab from the urethra in men.

How is chlamydia treated?

Regardless of the form of infection, Chlamydia trachomatis antibiotics are used to fight the bacteria. The doctor may prescribe a single large dose of the drug to the patient or recommend taking the drug for 5–7 days. Patient education: Chlamydia (Beyond the Basics) must be treated by all people with whom the infected person has had sexual contact in the past 60 days.

Chlamydia Banned During Chlamydia Treatment - CDC Fact Sheet Sex. Otherwise, a sick person can infect their partner.

3 months after the end of the course of antibiotics, Chlamydia trachomatis should be examined again for chlamydia.

How not to get chlamydia

It is important to follow the simple rules of Chlamydia trachomatis:

• Use condoms during intercourse. It can be a male or female condom.
• Limit the number of sexual partners. The fewer contacts, the lower the risk.
• Check up regularly. If a man or woman is sexually active, periodic screening for STIs should be done.
• Don't douche. This rule applies to women. Washing the vagina removes beneficial bacteria that protect against harmful germs.