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Can I Have Chlamydia For Years

How Long Can You Have Chlamydia Without Knowing Years Or

What You Need to Know About Chlamydia
  • 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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Who Should Get Tested For Chlamydia

Because chlamydia is very common and often has no symptoms, anyone who is sexually active should think about being tested. Because chlamydia is very common among young women, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend sexually active women age 25 or younger get tested once per year. Chlamydia testing is also recommended for women with new or multiple sexual partners and pregnant women.

Anyone who is sexually active should talk with a healthcare provider about whether they need testing for chlamydia or other STIs. Dont be afraid to speak openly about your sex life, as you can get the best care by having an honest discussion with your healthcare provider.

How Long Can You Have Chlamydia Without Knowing Years Or Months

How long can you have chlamydia without knowing is a common question after an unprotected sexual contact.

What is chlamydia infection?

Chlamydia infection, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects both men and women. In the united stated, more than 1.4 million new cases of chlamydia are detected yearly.

In women, chlamydia infection can ascend up the genital tracts resulting to pelvic inflammatory disease with symptoms like fever, abdomen pain and difficulty conceiving.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection is transmitted through

  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • If youve had intercourse with these symptoms, then its likely you have chlamydia. You should inform your doctor ASAP or get a chlamydia test kit to detect chlamydia.

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    Am I At Risk For Chlamydia

    If you are sexually active, have an honest and open talk with your healthcare provider. Ask them if you should get tested for chlamydia or other STDs. Gay or bisexual men and pregnant people should also get tested for chlamydia. If you are a sexually active woman, you should get tested for chlamydia every year if you are:

    • Younger than 25 years old.
    • 25 years and older with risk factors, such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted infection.

    What Are The Long Term Effects Of Chlamydia

    CHLAMYDIA RNA, TMA

    For women, the long-term effects of an untreated chlamydia infection may include: Severe infection with pain and fever requiring a hospital stay. Pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of the upper reproductive tract. Scarring in the reproductive tract that causes infertility. Higher risk of ectopic pregnancy.

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    Does Chlamydia Cause Cervical Cancer

    No, chlamydia doesnât cause cervical cancer.

    Itâs possible to get a sexually transmitted infection by having sex with someone who has an STI, even if they have no symptoms.

    The following measures will help protect you from most STIs including chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV.

    If you have an STI, theyâll also help prevent you from passing it on to someone:

    • Avoid sharing sex toys. If you do share them, wash them or cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them.

    Also Check: How To Tell If You Have Chlamydia For Guys

    Where Can I Get More Information

    Health care providers with STD consultation requests can contact the STD Clinical Consultation Network . This service is provided by the National Network of STD Clinical Prevention Training Centers and operates five days a week. STDCCN is convenient, simple, and free to health care providers and clinicians. More information is available at www.stdccn.orgexternal icon.

    Division of STD Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-38271-800-783-987

    References

    1. OFarrell N, Morison L, Moodley P, et al. Genital ulcers and concomitant complaints in men attending a sexually transmitted infections clinic: implications for sexually transmitted infections management. Sexually transmitted diseases 2008 35:545-9.

    2. White JA. Manifestations and management of lymphogranuloma venereum. Current opinion in infectious diseases 2009 22:57-66.

    3. Kreisel KM, Spicknall IH, Gargano JW, Lewis FM, Lewis RM, Markowitz LE, Roberts H, Satcher Johnson A, Song R, St. Cyr SB, Weston EJ, Torrone EA, Weinstock HS. Sexually transmitted infections among US women and men: Prevalence and incidence estimates, 2018. Sex Transm Dis 2021 in press.

    4. CDC. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2019. Atlanta, GA: Department of Health and Human Services April 2021.

    5. Torrone E, Papp J, Weinstock H. Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis Genital Infection Among Persons Aged 1439 Years United States, 20072012. MMWR 2014 63:834-8.

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    How Is Chlamydia Spread

    It can also spread from an infected pregnant woman to her baby during childbirth, and it can infect the eyes if fluids containing chlamydia trachomatis get in them.

    If someone has chlamydia and is sexually active before finishing their full treatment , they can still spread chlamydia.

    And anyone who has had chlamydia and successfully treated it can get infected again.

    Using barrier protection during sexual intercourse can decrease the risk.

    What Happens If A Man Doesnt Treat His Chlamydia

    Chlamydia and fertility

    If chlamydia is left untreated, it can become a more severe infection. Its also possible for it to have long term effects, including on fertility.

    Chlamydia can affect the whole of the male reproductive system, causing inflammation in the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles, as well as the testicles themselves and the prostate gland. If this inflammation isnt treated, it may lead to scarring, which can have an effect on fertility.

    There have also been some studies that suggest the infection itself can affect sperm being produced properly, but the evidence around this isnt conclusive at the moment.

    Chlamydia can also cause a condition called reactive arthritis. This is when there is inflammation that affects the eyes, joints, and the urethra . The knees, feet, toes, hips, and ankles are also commonly affected. Its unclear exactly why this happens, but it may be related to the body overreacting to the infection. The symptoms can take months to recover, and you should treat this with anti-inflammatory medicines.

    Treating chlamydia is also very important because it can easily be passed on to other partners, even if you dont have symptoms.

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    Just How Common Is Chlamydia

    In 2017, greater than 1.7 million situations of chlamydia were reported to the Centers for Condition Control as well as Prevention . Numerous instances go unreported, so the actual number of chlamydia infections every year may be closer to 3 million.

    Men and women can both get the infection, yet a lot more cases in ladies are reported.

    Infection rates are highest amongst younger ladies, with the highest rates of infection occurring in ladies between ages 15 and also 24.

    The CDC suggests that all sexually active ladies ages 25 years as well as more youthful get evaluated for chlamydia each year, as well as older ladies with danger aspects like multiple or new partners.

    Statistically, a person is more probable to obtain an STI if theyve had sex with more than one person. Other risk factors consist of having had an STI in the past, or currently have an infection due to the fact that this might lower resistance.

    Prices for chlamydia and also various other STIs have been climbing up recently.

    How Can You Treat Chlamydia

    Following a positive test, the most common and effective treatment for Chlamydia is a course of antibiotics, usually over the period of one week. You should abstain for sexual activity for one week following a successful course of antibiotics and ensure that regular sexual partners, as well as previous partners, are informed and tested.

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    Whats Chlamydia And What Are The Symptoms

    The bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, is the organism which causes chlamydia infection. It can affect the eyes , the joints, the mouth and the genitals of males and females. Chlamydia discharge with severe discomfort while urinating may be an early sign of illness.

    It can also be contacted through the sharing of infected towels. Pregnant women with poorly treated infection may transmit chlamydia to their babies during delivery.

    Chlamydia can be a silent disease because you can get infected without showing any signs. About 30 70 percent of infected men and women will not have common symptoms at all.

    However, this does not rule out complication of chlamydia infection in the long-term. If left for a long time without treatment, chlamydia may cause pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal pregnancy, and difficulty conceiving.

    Pelvic inflammatory disease is the upward spread of chlamydia affecting the womb, abdominal area, and Fallopian tubes. PID could potentially cause permanent damage to the Fallopian tubes ultimately causing infertility and ectopic pregnancy.

    Short-term adverse effects of chlamydia in men include inflammation of the epididymis, with testes that are hurtful and swollen. This occurs very early after an infection and can contribute to infertility in men.

    How Does Chlamydia Spread

    STDs in America

    Chlamydia is spread when a person has unprotected sex with an infected person.

    Because chlamydial infection often has no symptoms, many people do not realise they have the infection.

    Even if you know a person well, you may not be able to tell they have an STI, because people can look healthy and still have chlamydia.

    Remember, you can get chlamydia and other STIs from a new sexual partner who has in the past had sex with someone who is infected.

    It can also be spread from a long-term partner who has had sex with other people.

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    Can Chlamydia Be Dormant

    Yes, Chlamydia can be dormant in the body for several years without any flare-up to trigger a symptomatic infection. This means a person could live with Chlamydia for many years without knowing because the typical symptoms dont appear.

    However, Chlamydia can cause a flare-up after laying dormant for several years if the strength of a persons immune system has been diminished by severe conditions like HIV, cold or flu, and cancer, among others.

    Although in some cases, symptoms of the infection appear within a few weeks of contact, there have been instances where Chlamydia remained dormant for over 20 years.

    This is why it is vital to get screened regularly if you have suspicions after recent sexual contact.

    Painful menstruation or bleeding between menstrual cycles can be symptoms of Chlamydial infection

    What Does Chlamydia Infection Mean For My Health

    Chlamydia can be treated and cured easily, but that doesnt mean that chlamydia infection isnt potentially dangerous. If chlamydia isnt diagnosed and left untreated, it can cause serious complications.

    Untreated chlamydia infections in women may lead to:

    • Pelvic inflammatory disease , a serious infection of the reproductive organs . Left untreated, PID can cause infertility , chronic pelvic pain, or ectopic pregnancy.
    • A condition called mucopurulent cervicitis, characterized by a yellow discharge from the cervix

    Untreated chlamydia in men may lead to:

    • Scarring of the urethra

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    How Can I Prevent Chlamydia

    Its easier to prevent an STI like chlamydia than it is to treat it:

    • Dont have more than one sex partner at a time. The safest sex is with one partner who has sex only with you. Every time you add a new sex partner, you are being exposed to all of the infections that all of their partners may have.
    • Use a condom every time you have sex. Latex and polyurethane condoms keep out the viruses and bacteria that cause STIs.
    • Be responsible. Dont have sex if you have symptoms of an infection or if you are being treated for an STI.
    • Wait to have sex with a new partner until both of you have been tested for STIs.

    Long Term Effects Of Chlamydia In Men And Women

    Chlamydia: The Basics

    Long term effects of chlamydia in men and women is due to poorly or untreated chlamydia infection.

    It is recommended that both males and females, especially pregnant women, get tested for chlamydia. If you are below 25 years, the World Health Organisation and Center For Disease Control recommends chlamydia testing at least once a year.

    Worldwide, chlamydia infection affects about 2.7 percent of men and more than 4 percent of women.

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    Wednesday 25 March 2020

    The clap, the clam, the pox, the gift that keeps on giving weve created so many slang terms to make sexually transmissible infections seem a little bit funnier and a little less serious. But when the long-term side effects of STIs can include chronic pelvic pain, infertility and in rare cases, cancer, it turns out they are no laughing matter.

    You wont be able to tell for sure if you or the person youre having sex with has an STI without being tested, because these nasty infections dont always cause symptoms that you can see or feel.

    That makes it kinda tricky, as people can be having sex without knowing theyre infected, which means the infection could be passed on and be causing damage to your body unnoticed. But its also simple, really simple to be sexually healthy. You see, there are a couple of easy things you can do to have a confident and healthy sex life, to look after your body and make sure you dont have an infection that could cause you harm. Weve got you covered here with a rundown of the most common STIs, what they can do to your body and simple ways you can prevent getting them.

    Do Past Infections Mean Im Immune

    While some studies have looked into the potential for immunity in animals and in humans, there have been no conclusive signs of immunity.

    At this point, it seems you cannot become immune to chlamydia after having it. To avoid future infections, its important to practice safe sex and get tested regularlyespecially if you are sexually active with multiple partners.

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    How Long Can You Have Chlamydia Before It Causes Damage

    Symptoms usually appear within one to three weeks after being infected and may be very mild. If not treated, chlamydia can lead to damage to the reproductive system. In women, chlamydial infection can spread to the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease , according to the CDC.

    Symptoms Can Differ For Men And Women

    County

    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:

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    Chlamydia Is Only Contagious From Person To Person

    You can only get chlamydia by having intimate sexual contact with an infected person, not from casual contact, touching another persons clothing, or consuming contaminated food or water.

    The chlamydia organism lives only in human cells and cannot be transmitted by external contact, such as towels or toilet seats, Schaffir says.

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    How Long After Treatment Can I Have Sex Again

    You should avoid being sexually active during treatment for chlamydia because you can still pass the infection to your sex partner during this time, even if you have no symptoms.

    How long you should wait to have sex depends on the antibiotic you take.

    If your doctor prescribes a single dose of antibiotics, wait until seven days after taking it. If you take a multi-dose antibiotic, wait until youve taken the full course of medication .

    Because it is somewhat common to get a repeat infection of chlamydia, its a good idea to be tested for it again about three months after treatment.

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    How Did I Get Chlamydia If I Didnt Cheat

    A note from Cleveland Clinic

    It can be embarrassing to talk about anything sex-related with your healthcare provider, including STI prevention. But your sex life is an important part of your health that your provider needs to know about to care for you. Not getting the treatment you need for chlamydia can pose serious risks to your health. Speak with your provider about getting regularly screened for chlamydia and other STIs to reduce your risks of complications. Practice safer sex to prevent the spread of chlamydia.

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    How Long Can Someone Have Chlamydia

    Normalizing Chlamydia ScreeningâHow to Talk to Patients

    Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease that can contaminate both men and women. It can create severe, permanent damages to a womans reproductive system. How Long Can Someone Have Chlamydia

    This can make it hard or difficult for her to get expecting later. Chlamydia can also trigger a possibly deadly ectopic maternity a pregnancy that happens outside the womb.

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    Can You Have Chlamydia For Years And Not Know

    Anita Ravi, MD, MPH, MSHP, a practicing family physician in New York City, urges physicians to make STI screenings a routine part of patient care so as to help catch and treat chlamydia, which can have long term health repercussions if not treated. You could have chlamydia for years and not know it, Ravi says.

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