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Can A Man Have Chlamydia And Not Know It

How Do I Know If I Have Chlamydia

Sneaky Chlamydia | Do You Have It & Not Know It?

Most people who have chlamydia have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may not appear until several weeks after you have sex with an infected partner. Even when chlamydia causes no symptoms, it can damage your reproductive system.

Women with symptoms may notice

  • An abnormal vaginal discharge
  • A burning sensation when urinating.

Symptoms in men can include

  • A discharge from their penis
  • A burning sensation when urinating
  • Pain and swelling in one or both testicles .

Men and women can also get infected with chlamydia in their rectum. This happens either by having receptive anal sex, or by spread from another infected site . While these infections often cause no symptoms, they can cause

  • Rectal pain
  • Discharge
  • Bleeding.

You should be examined by your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or if your partner has an STD or symptoms of an STD. STD symptoms can include an unusual sore, a smelly discharge, burning when urinating, or bleeding between periods.

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Symptoms Can Differ For Men And Women

By and large, most cases of chlamydia are asymptomatic they are picked up by screening, which is why it’s so important to have good screening programs in place, notes Dr. Stoner. Men or women who have chlamydia symptoms may experience painful urination.

Women may also have these symptoms:

  • Smelly discharge from the cervix
  • Pain during sex

And men may have these symptoms:

  • Discharge from the penis

Give Your Boyfriend Space To Process

  • Your boyfriend may need some time to himself. People process stressful information in different waysif your boyfriend needs some space to process this news, give it to him. Many clinics offer fact sheets on chlamydiatry leaving one with him so that he can go over the information by himself.XResearch source
  • You can also offer your boyfriend space by saying something like, “Id be really excited to spend more time with you, but Id also understand if you want some space to think through this by yourself.”
  • Needing some space is not a sign that your relationship is over. Dont panic if your boyfriend wants to be left alone for a little bit.
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    How Long Can You Have Chlamydia Without Knowing Years Or

    • People with chlamydia usually dont have symptoms, so most people dont know they have it. If you do notice signs of chlamydia, get tested. Heres what to look for. Chlamydia can be sneaky, because you probably wont have any symptoms you can see or feel. Sometimes the signs of chlamydia are.
    • g oral sex on someone. If you know you have it genitally, and theres a chance you also have it orally , you should tell the guy
    • And you may never even know you have an STD, either because the symptoms are so subtle or because there are no symptoms at all. The CDC notes that each year, Chlamydia can also cause.
    • About 50% if men infected with Chlamydia will have no symptoms at all for many years. This is called silent carrier. Indeed even if you tested negative and result in false negative results. Let me know if you have any further query so we can discuss it thoroughly in every aspect

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    So Can You Have Chlamydia For Years

    Chlamydia Infection: Treatments &  Home Remedies

    According to the experts, chlamydia was never been known to exist for years. This infection can actually fester for almost 2 months but was never been known to last for years without any visible signs and symptoms. On the other hand, if a person is infected for years, he/she is likely to have developed other problems like PID . Moreover, this disease can never stay dormant for years because it should have been diagnosed in medical tests.

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    What To Think About

    Some people who have chlamydia may also have gonorrhea. In that case, treatment includes antibiotics that kill both chlamydia and gonorrhea. For more information, see the topic Gonorrhea.

    Reinfection can occur. Symptoms that continue after treatment are probably caused by another chlamydia infection rather than treatment failure. To prevent reinfection, sex partners need to be evaluated and treated.

    Repeated chlamydia infections increase the risk for pelvic inflammatory disease . Even one infection can lead to PID without proper treatment. Make sure to take your antibiotics exactly as prescribed. Take the full course of medicine, even if you feel better in a couple of days.

    Some doctors recommend retesting 3 to 12 months after treatment to reduce the risk of complications from reinfection.footnote 4

    If you have chlamydia, your doctor will send a report to the state health department. Your personal information is kept confidential. The health department may contact you about telling your sex partner or partners that they may need treatment.

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    What Are The Effects Of Chlamydia

    I think theres this idea of what you dont know cant hurt youwhich isnt true, when it comes to chlamydia what you dont know can totally hurt you, says Alyx, who got chlamydia during a holiday hookup in her twenties.

    Most of my friends have had chlamydia at some point. Its incredibly common and its pretty easy to treat, if you treat it quickly.

    For Alyx, getting tested was a no-brainer, but it wasnt without its awkward moments. I did have to figure out how to say I have chlamydia in German Alyx says.

    But having the test and popping the antibiotics to treat chlamydia is an important step to curb its potentially-damaging effects.

    For women, chlamydia can result in pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to abdominal or pelvic pain, and in some cases, infertility. For guys, chlamydia doesnt tend to be as serious but it can still cause epididymitis .

    Alyx isnt surprised that men are less likely to get tested for chlamydia than women. She reckons its a confidence thing.

    If you think youre teflon, then you think your dick is teflon too.

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    Can Chlamydia Lie Dormant And Not Show Up On A Test

    A significant number of men do not typically show symptoms for STDs such as chlamydia although they are very capable of spreading the disease. Even though they are generally asymptomatic or dormant, they will still test positive for the STD. Most STDs that are in a dormant stage can be detected with a test.

    How Do You Treat Chlamydia

    What is Gonorrhoea? | Why is Untreated Gonorrhoea so Serious?

    Chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider.

    It is important to complete the full treatment, as prescribed by your healthcare provider, even if symptoms go away sooner. The infection stays in your body until you finish the antibiotics. Also, do not share your medicine with anyone or take someone elses.

    Some healthcare providers may give a separate dose of antibiotics for your partner so you do not re-infect each other or anyone else. Do not have sex until you have finished treatment.

    Get tested again in 3-4 months to make sure the infection is gone and you were not re-exposed.

    Read Also: Chlamydia Resolve On Its Own

    How To Stop The Spread Of Infection

    Therisk of contracting and transmitting chlamydia is very high, so any precautionsyou can take will prove a valuable asset to your sexual health. To stop thespread of the infection, you should:

    • Use condoms during intercourse
    • Suggest to your partner that you both get tested for STIs before having unprotected sex
    • Cover all the sex toys you share with your partner with condoms

    Chlamydiais a serious issue for men. The problem is that most men dont experience anysigns, and that is typical for those infected. If you havent used a condomwhile having intercourse with multiple partners, its important to get tested.That way, you can avoid any unwanted complications and treat the infection ontime.

    References

    How Does Chlamydia Spread In Men

    Chlamydia is transmitted from person to person through sexual contact. More specifically, chlamydia is spread by touching an infected partners anus, mouth, penis, or vagina. This includes having anal sex, oral sex, and vaginal sex. Chlamydia cannot be spread through kissing , but an infection of the throat can spread to a partner who is receiving oral sex.

    Recommended Reading: Antibiotics To Get Rid Of Chlamydia

    How Chlamydia Diagnosis Process Is Carried On In Men

    Early treatment of Chlamydia is essential to have a healthy life ahead. In case if you had unprotected sex with your recent partner then you must get tested for STIs as soon as possible. This test can be carried out at any local GUM clinic or GP. With improved facilities of digital world, patients can also order Chlamydia test kits to their home from online sources.

    Once this test is carried out then depending upon its results further treatment will be carried out. Note that, Chlamydia disease is very common between age groups of 16 to 25 so most of the clinics these days are offering free tests to identify this disease on time. In case if you had oral or anal sex with your new partner who is suspected to be infected then it is good to undergo an oral swab test pr rectal swab test.

    Who Does Chlamydia Affect

    Things you must know about Chlamydia (infographics)

    Anyone whos sexually active can get chlamydia. The bacteria that causes chlamydia gets transmitted through vaginal fluid and semen, which means that people of all genders who have sex can become infected with chlamydia and infect their partners, too. If youre pregnant and have chlamydia, you can pass it on to your newborn.

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    How Do I Know If I Have An Sti Get Tested Once A Year And Between Every Partner

    As these infections often dont cause symptoms, the only way to know for sure if you have an STI is to get tested regularly if youre having sex. Regularly means at least once a year and between every new partner. Its much better to know than not to know so that if you do have an STI, you can get it treated as soon as possible.

    The best way to get tested regularly is with a GP. If you dont want to do this, you could visit a sexual health clinic, True Relationships and Reproductive Health clinic, Aboriginal Medical Services or other community testing sites. If you think you have any STI symptoms, a GP or nearest sexual health clinic are the best options to get tested and treated quickly.

    Chlamydia Can Lead To Infertility

    A lot of us don’t realize that some sexually transmitted diseases can cause no symptoms, meaning you could have an STD and not know it. And some STDs can silently lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or chronic pelvic pain.

    Chlamydia is one of those diseases. CDC estimates that more than 2.8 million people are infected each year.

    Chlamydia is most common in sexually active young adults. More than half of all infections involve people ages 18 to 24. You can get chlamydia during oral, vaginal, or anal sexual contact with an infected partner. The disease can cause penile discharge in men and infertility in women. It can also cause serious health problems in newborn babies of infected mothers.

    Many women, and some men, are infected with chlamydia but don’t know it. Even without symptoms, the disease can cause complications, particularly infertility. The longer the infection is untreated, the more damage that can be done.

    If symptoms do show up, they usually occur within weeks of exposure. Men and women may face painful urination, an abnormal discharge from the urethra, or both. Women also may have abdominal pain, bleeding, and an abnormal discharge from the vagina. Symptoms usually appear within one to three weeks after being infected and may be very mild.

    In pregnant women, chlamydia can cause premature delivery, the CDC says. A child born to an infected woman can develop an infection in their eyes and respiratory tracts.

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    How Often Should I Get Checked For Chlamydia

    Sexual health check-ups are recommended for anyone who is sexually active. Frequency of testing also depends on your STI risk:

    • An annual sexual health check-up is highly recommended if you are sexually active especially if you are under 25.
    • Get checked more often during the year if you frequently change sexual partners.
    • Remember, you are at greater risk if you have sex without a condom with 1 or multiple sexual partners.

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    Why Is Azithromycin Not A Chlamydia Treatment Anymore

    STIs: What you need to know

    The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV recently released guidelines explaining that Azithromycin is no longer an effective treatment for chlamydia. This is because of increasing levels of bacterial resistance to azithromycin. Instead, the recommended first-line treatment is now only doxycycline.

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    Anticipate Your Boyfriends Reaction

  • Having a script in mind can make this conversation a lot easier. Think through how your boyfriend is likely to react and what hell say to you, and practice some responses ahead of time. If you can have a friend help you role-play this conversation, this can make you even less anxious. For example:XResearch source
  • If he says, “Did you cheat on me?” say something like, “Having chlamydia doesnt mean either of us cheated. One of us could have had chlamydia for years and not known.”
  • If he says, “What do I do now?” say something like, “Its really important that you get tested yourselfI can help you set up an appointment if you want. Also, make sure you tell any partners you had in the past 6 months.”
  • If he says, “Thats so gross,” say something like, “No it isnt. Its just part of being sexually active.”
  • Who Should Be Tested For Chlamydia

    You should go to your health provider for a test if you have symptoms of chlamydia, or if you have a partner who has a sexually transmitted disease. Pregnant women should get a test when they go to their first prenatal visit.

    People at higher risk should get checked for chlamydia every year:

    • Sexually active women 25 and younger
    • Older women who have new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted disease
    • Men who have sex with men

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    What Are The Prominent Chlamydia Symptoms In Men

    Actually, no one can easily ensure that his body has some trouble due to the silent infection because its symptoms are rarely reflected. But once if they start occurring then they can be easily noticed even within few weeks. Medical doctors say that symptoms of Chlamydia in men can be random and infrequent so most of the time patients are not able to know if they are in contact with the infection.

    Some of the most common signs of Chlamydia in men include:

    • Very small cloudy or clear Chlamydia discharge in men from penis tip.
    • It can cause painful urination.
    • Leads to itching and burning sensation around penis openings.
    • Swelling and pain in the area surrounding testicles.

    Major symptoms of Chlamydia are observed for genitals but in few cases it can affect rectum, eyes and throat. Note that, the actual effect varies with type of transmission. Few uncommon symptoms of chlamydia in men can include:

    • Throat infections.
    • Rectal bleeding, discharge or pain.

    Special Cases: Chlamydia In Infants And Hiv

    How Chlamydia Is Diagnosed

    Newborn infants are also at risk for chlamydial infections if their mother has an untreated infection at the time of delivery. Newborn infants can contract chlamydia trachomatis as they travel through the birth canal and develop eye infections or pneumonia . For this reason, chlamydia testing should be routine during pregnancy.

    Having an STI, like chlamydia, can also increase your chances of contracting HIV if you are exposed it to it, or spreading HIV if you are already infected . If you think you have chlamydia, or any STI, it is important for you to seek help immediately from your healthcare provider or an STI clinic. Many clinics provide free or low-cost STI testing. This will all help keep you, your sexual partners, and your community healthy.

    Download Clue to track sex and your period.

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    So How Does Someone Get Chlamydia Or Gonorrhea

    The bacteria that cause chlamydia or gonorrhea can spread very easily through any type of sexual contact The tricky thing is that a lot of people dont know they have an STI, at least in the first few weeks. a hidden epidemic). In the meantime, an infected person can unintentionally get someone else sick. Condoms may help reduce that risk, but they are not 100% effective, even when used correctly. The only way to protect oneself against these STIs is to either abstain from any sexual activity or to be in a long-term, trusted, and monogamous relationship such as marriage.

    How Chlamydia Tests Are Carried

    The experts will ask you for urine sample and in order to generate best results it is essential to refrain passing urine for at least two hours before taking the test sample. In case you were engaged in anal sex and are now experiences few symptoms of Chlamydia then it is important to visit GP and follow procedures for swab of your throat or rectrum.

    These samples will be processed in laboratories and you will get final results within few days. But in case if you cannot wait so long then it is good to order a home Chlamydia testing kit and get it delivered within 48 hours.

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