Let's talk!

Everything You Should Know About Chlamydia

  • click to rate

    Chlamydia is an infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Despite the fact that this is a quite common condition, it can be asymptomatic and many people may not know they have chlamydia. People that already treated chlamydia have no immunity to it, so re-infection is common. In this article, we will tell you everything you should know about chlamydia.

    Chlamydia symptoms

    It is important to know that only 5 percent to 30 percent of women who have chlamydia can experience its symptoms. However, most women who are infected with chlamydia have abnormal vaginal discharge. Some women also have redness, swelling, burning, or itching of the vulva and vaginal area. 

    The frequency of urination may increase as well as painful and burning sensations may occur during urination. Damage to the cervix can cause pain during sex and spotting between periods. When the infection spreads to the fallopian tubes and pelvis, you can experience abdominal and back pain. Flu-like symptoms such as fever can also occur.

    You should also know that chlamydia can be transmitted through receptive anal sex or oral sex. In the case of anal sex, you can experience rectal pain, bleeding, discharge, and a feeling of incomplete bowel movement. When chlamydia was transmitted through oral sex, it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. However, some people may have some soreness and redness in their throat or mouth

    Causes of chlamydia

    Genital chlamydia infections are caused by serovars (types of chlamydial bacteria) from D to K. There are also other forms of chlamydia that are less common in the United States. Chlamydia is transmitted through discharges (not skin-to-skin contact like some other  STIs). It can be transmitted during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Moreover, chlamydia can also be transferred from mother to baby during vaginal birth. Ejaculation is not necessary for the spread of chlamydial infection.

    Chlamydia symptoms usually occur about three weeks after exposure, although complications such as PID can develop much later. It is important to understand that chlamydia acts more like a virus than a bacterium and is an intracellular parasite, which means that it must remain inside human cells in order to stay alive.

    Diagnosis of chlamydia infections

    Despite the fact that chlamydia infection can be suspected based on symptoms or a physical examination, it can be difficult to distinguish chlamydia from some other STIs (for example, gonorrhea) based only on symptoms. Laboratory studies are required to make an official diagnosis of chlamydia. If the infected person doesn’t experience any symptoms, it can develop for months if not years. That’s why regular examinations (such as an annual gynecological examination) are necessary to diagnose and treat the infection, and therefore prevent its spread.

    The diagnosis of chlamydia is usually made after the healthcare provider checks the medical history (including the history of exposure and sexual activity), conducts a physical examination and performs either a urinalysis or, alternatively for women, a test on a collected smear sample from the endocervical canal or vagina.

    Due to the fact that chlamydia is often asymptomatic, regular STD testing is strongly recommended. This includes an annual screening of sexually active women aged 25 years and younger and older women with risk factors. Recommendations for men that practice anal sex also recommend regular screening for chlamydia (at least annually or every two years, depending on the risk). This includes testing the throat, urine, and rectum, as well as other STIs (e.g., hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis). 

    Treatment options

    Chlamydia can be treated with prescription antibiotics, You should also know that currently, there are no effective OTC or home remedies. However, there are recommended treatments and alternatives for adults and pregnant women. It is important to understand that when a person is diagnosed with chlamydia, all sexual partners that he or she has had over the past 60 days should also be screened and treated. You and your partner should take all the medicines prescribed to kill bacteria. Moreover, it is advised to abstain from sex for seven days after the start of treatment.