By Chlamydia is a common sexual disease caused by bacteria. Mostly, the bacteria come in contact when having sexual contact. Only in the U.S, the number of people affected by this disease was nearly 1.8 million in 2018. However, when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases, this one is the most common in the U.S.
It can affect both men and women and become a fertility issue. However, most of the time, they do not have any symptoms and do not cause any issues in the early stages. Fortunately, there are treatments available to treat this condition. However, you will need to detect the symptoms very early.
Ignoring the condition not only causes fertility problems but some other serious complications as well. You need to know all the details of chlamydia, such as symptoms, effects, causes, and treatments. Here are all of them given below in detail.
Facts About Chlamydia:
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Chlamydia is a common sexually-transmitted disease that is equally spread in men and women.
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The damage is more severe in women as their reproductive system is permanently affected.
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Chlamydia may cause a fatal ectopic pregnancy- that occurs outside the womb.
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The symptoms of chlamydia are rare and they may not be noticed by people unless they are tested.
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Chlamydia is highly contagious and is transmitted from person-to-person contact. Especially during oral, anal or vaginal sex.
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The bacteria has an infectious cycle that comprises two developmental forms.
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The infectious form is called the elementary body and the reticulate body.
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The elementary body is inactive, which is how it enters the host cells.
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The elementary body differentiates inside the host cells and transforms to a metabolically active reticulate body.
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The bacterium can be passed from an infected mother to a newborn child.
Chlamydial infection can coexist with a gonococcal infection.
Chlamydia Symptoms
More than 70% of people do not develop any symptoms in the early stages of chlamydia. However, there are many symptoms that might develop in people affected by this disease. In addition, the symptoms might differ based on different factors like age, sex, medical history, and others. So, here are some of the most common symptoms given below that you might notice.
1. Chlamydia Symptoms In Men
Most men do not develop any chlamydia symptoms, but they can appear after 1-3 weeks after the contact. Some common ones include:
- Green or yellow discharge from Genitals
- Testicle Pain
- Lower abdomen pain
- Burning sensation while urinating
If you get the Chlamydia infection in other areas like the anus, it can cause other symptoms like pain, bleeding, and discharge from that area. Oral sex can increase the chance of getting chlamydia infections. It can cause the infection to happen in the throat. It is hard to know if you have a throat infection.
The virus might be there without your knowledge. If you develop symptoms from a throat infection, you need to look for some common ones including cough, fever, and a sore throat.
2. Chlamydia Symptoms In Women
As chlamydia is also well-known as the “silent infection,” it is tough to find out if you are affected or not. However, some women can develop multiple symptoms. It might take more than two weeks for these symptoms to appear. The common symptoms include:
- Vaginal discharge
- Bleeding between the periods
- Pain during intercourse
- Lower abdomen pain
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Cervicitis
Rarely, the infection can spread through different parts like a fallopian tube. It can cause many severe diseases like PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease). It is one of the conditions where you will need medical attention almost immediately.
Apart from that, it can infect other parts like the rectum as well. In addition, the symptoms of chlamydia are different in women and men. So, it is better to take the help of a doctor if any of these symptoms appear.
Chlamydia Causes
To treat this condition, you need to find out what the causes are. Now that you know what chlamydia is, let’s find out the causes to have a better treatment. The most common causes of developing this symptom are oral sex without protection and sex without a condom. It can transmit easily from people. Unprotected sex increases the chance of getting it.
Also, anal sex, a touch of genitals can cause this condition to develop. It can develop even without having penetration. Anal sex can also cause the bacteria to come in contact. Also, newborn babies can get this disease from their mothers. Most of the prenatal testings include the chlamydia test.
Genital contact with the eyes can cause an infection in the eyes. However, this is rare compared to all the other conditions. It can recur even after treating successfully. People who have developed it once have an increased chance of developing it.
Chlamydia Effects
Along with the causes and symptoms, you need to be aware of the effects of chlamydia. Here are some of the most common ones given below.
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Prostate Gland Infection
Although the condition is very rare, the chlamydia infection can spread to the prostate gland in men. It is known as prostatitis that can cause pain after or during sex, painful urination, chills, fever, and back pain.
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Infertility
Chlamydia infection can cause obstruction and scarring in the fallopian tubes without any symptoms. It is a serious condition that can make women infertile.
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PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)
It is an infection in the fallopian tubes and uterus that causes both fever and pelvic pain. If the infection becomes severe, then you might need to get hospitalized immediately.
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Epididymitis
You are at higher risk of developing infection near the testicles if you have chlamydia. It can cause scrotal pain, fever, swelling, and inflammation in the coiled tubes.
Chlamydia Treatments
The only way to prevent getting all the serious complications and symptoms is by doing the early treatment. If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible. It will prevent having any long-term side effects or complications. The only way to avoid conditions like ectopic pregnancy and infertility is chlamydia treatment.
Generally, doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat the condition. Some of the common antibiotics prescribed for this condition are Doxycycline, Azithromycin, Ofloxacin, and others. The doctor might also prescribe some other drugs like amoxicillin and erythromycin.
The course can take up to two weeks or more. During the medication period, sex is prohibited as it can cause the condition to spread. It is best to get your partner treated as well for confirmation and prevent any further spread. Women who have severe chlamydia might need to get hospitalized.
After finishing the course of antibiotics, you will need to get checked every three months. Sex is only safe when you and your partner are both sure that the infection is cured.
Conclusion
Chlamydia is not a severe condition if treated in the early stages. However, it can become serious and cause many severe conditions if ignored. The chance of developing any symptoms is almost next to none. It takes more than 2-3 weeks for the symptoms to appear in most people. The best way to prevent the condition is by having protection during sex.
FAQs
1. Is Chlamydia Harmful?
Chlamydia can be very harmful if it is left untreated. The delay in treatment can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease in women and pain in both or one testicles. Women may also experience chronic pain, and infertility.
2. Why Is It Called Chlamydia?
The bacterial infection was named chlamydia due to an incorrect conclusion. The word is derived from Greek which means “cloak-like mantle.” It was called so due to the confusion that chlamydia are intracellular protozoan pathogens that “cloak” the nucleus of the cells that are infected.
3. Why Is Chlamydia Known As A Silent Disease?
The disease is referred to as a “silent disease” due to the absence of symptoms in people. The symptoms that occur, may not be visible in people weeks after the exposure.
4. Is Chlamydia Lifelong?
If the treatment begins in time, the disease can be cured. However, this requires regular checkups with your doctor and practicing safe sex.
5. Can I Get Chlamydia If I Am With One Partner?
The infection can still occur if one partner was infected prior to the relationship. However, if neither were infected and have been in a mutually monogamous relationship, then neither will be infected. Infections may remain dormant for many years and can appear while you are in a relationship.
6. How Did I Get Chlamydia In A Long-Term Relationship?
It is possible to get chlamydia or any other STD in a long-term, monogamous relationship without the partner cheating on each other. This may be due to the long-standing infection that was not diagnosed before, especially due to asymptomatic infection.
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