Different Ways To Catch Chlamydia

How Does Chlamydia Spread

Chlamydia is transmitted by sexual contact with the , , and/or rectal area, and mouth of the infected individual. Occasionally, if the eyes are infected, ocular secretions may contain transmissible bacteria. The organisms are simply transmitted by contact, usually by direct physical contact. Chlamydia bacteria are easily spread. They spread from females to males and vice versa through sexual contact.

Male Complications Of Untreated Chlamydia

Men can also experience complications when chlamydia is left untreated. The epididymis the tube that holds the testicles in place may become inflamed, causing pain. This is known as epididymitis.

The infection can also spread to the prostate gland, causing a fever, painful intercourse, and discomfort in the lower back. Another possible complication is male chlamydial urethritis.

These are just some of the most common complications of untreated chlamydia, which is why its important to get medical attention right away. Most people who get treatment quickly have no long-term medical problems.

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What If I Test Positive For Chlamydia

Chlamydia can be treated with a short course of antibiotics. To cure Chlamydia completely, the antibiotic treatment usually takes seven days. During this time, the infection could still be passed during unprotected sex, even when symptoms have disappeared.

Better2Know will provide you with a prescription to treat the infection if you do test positive for Chlamydia. It is entirely your choice whether you receive treatment through your Better2Know doctor, or take your results to your own GP or local GUM clinic. Your clinician will be able to prescribe the most appropriate antibiotic for you.

If you have tested positive for Chlamydia using a home sample collection test, we can arrange a doctors consultation for you. Your doctor will receive a copy of your results, discuss your diagnosis with you and prescribe the appropriate antibiotic. Simply phone us on the number at the top of the page to book your private GP appointment.

You may want to consider having a repeat Chlamydia test at the end of your treatment to check that the infection has completely cleared. You should also contact your previous partners to notify them about your result as he/she may also need to get tested.

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Can You Get Rid Of Chlamydia

Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics. The best way to cure chlamydia and keep from infecting your partners, is to avoid sex for seven days, until the antibiotics have done their job. If you do end up having sex while the antibiotics are still working it is really important to use a condom or else it is likely the medicine you took wont work. If you got medication to take at home make sure you take all of the pills, even if you start to feel better otherwise the infection might not go away completely.

How Is Chlamydia Spread

In nearly all cases chlamydia is transmitted through sexual contact.

• Chlamydia can also be spread through other types of sexual contact such as mutual masturbation, fingering or the use of sex toys.
• One simple way to protect yourself is by using a condom when engaging in sexual intercourse.

Another way of transmitting chlamydia is from mother to baby during birth. If this occurs, your baby may develop an eye or lung infection. This needs urgent treatment.

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How To Protect Yourself Against Chlamydia And Other Stis

Using condoms consistently and correctly helps protect against chlamydia other STIs , HIV and unintended pregnancies.

Regular testing for HIV and STIs is essential for good sexual health and everyone should have a STI screen, including a HIV test, annually if having condomless sex with new or casual partners.

You can find out more about STIs, HIV and sexual health on Terrence Higgins Trusts website.

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Transmission From Mother To Child During Pregnancy

Babies do not have sexual contact, but still get HPV from their infected moms. In fact, a pregnant mother with HPV can pass the virus on to her child during birth. But, the chances of that happening are very low. And, even if your child gets HPV, their body can eliminate the virus on its own. In rare cases, a mother with genital warts can pass the infection on to their child. As a result, the child may get warts in their throat.

You can still have HPV without having sex, such as by kissing and more. Although the infection is common, it can lead to serious health problems if untreated. So, if you have HPV, consult a doctor for appropriate treatment. Usually, HPV causes warts on the human skinand sometimes lead to discomfort. To get rid of warts, you can use topical antiviral medications. Vidarox is one of the best antiviral, natural creams for genital warts. It can help remove the warts and prevent them from coming back. Many sufferers also use Vidarox to stop the spreading of HPV infections. You can buy it at some drugstores or even online. To avoid getting HPV, watch out for the above ways of transmission. Besides, practice safe sex and avoid skin contact with infected people.

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The Different Ways Chlamydia Can Be Transmitted

Giving oral sex to a partner with a penile chlamydia infection can transmit the infection to your mouth/throat.

Giving oral sex to a partner with a chlamydia infection in the rectum can result in getting chlamydia in your throat/mouth.

Vaginal sex

Fingering of the rectum may transmit chlamydia if the recipient has a chlamydia infection of the rectum. When infected bodily fluids come into contact with the hand, this can then transmit the chlamydia to mucous membranes the hand comes into contact with .

Sex toys

Sharing sex toys, especially if infected fluids come into contact with the toy, can result in chlamydia transmission.

Where Can I Get Tested And Treated For Chlamydia

You can be tested and treated for chlamydia at most places that provide healthcare, including private doctors offices, hospital clinics, STI clinics, family planning health centers, and health departments. If you are less than 25 years old and have ever had sexual intercourse, talk to your health care provider about getting tested for chlamydia at least once a year and more often if you have any new sexual contacts , or you have had chlamydia or other STIs before.

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First Stage Syphilis Symptoms

The first stage of syphilis usually occurs over 4 to 12 weeks. Some people may not notice they have syphilis because they have no symptoms.

The sore:

• may be difficult to notice as it is on hidden areas of the body or painless
• is likely to occur as a single sore but occasionally occurs as multiple sores
• is usually painless
• usually appears 3 to 4 weeks after infection
• usually heals completely within 4 weeks without any treatment.

If you are not treated for syphilis at this stage, you may go on to develop the second stage of the infection.

Possible Treatments For Chlamydia

It is good to stay aware about how to treat Chlamydia. In case of your test is found positive then you have to undergo Chlamydia treatment. Most of the doctors prescribe just a single dose of some antibiotics like azithromycin. But in case if you are allergic to its content then you may have to take other standard antibiotic.Note that if you are infected then let your previous sex partners know about the infection so that they can also undergo tests and treatments at right time. It is also possible to start Chlamydia treatment online because most of the experts are delivering fast and reliable services over internet for complete treatment of this Silent Infection.

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Nucleic Acid Amplification Test

The most common test for chlamydia, this is a simple, non-invasive test during which you collect a swab or urine sample yourself . A doctor can assist in taking a swab if you prefer.

The sample is then sent to be tested to see if there is genetic material that indicates the presence of chlamydia bacteria. Results come back quicker than the traditional culture test.

I Was Treated For Chlamydia When Can I Have Sex Again

You should not have sex again until you and your sex partner have completed treatment. If your doctor prescribes a single dose of medication, you should wait seven days after taking the medicine before having sex. If your doctor prescribes a medicine for you to take for seven days, you should wait until you have taken all of the doses before having sex.

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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

Can You Get Chlamydia More Than Once

Its possible to have chlamydia multiple times. The bacteria will not create antibodies to protect your body from further infection. You can get re-infected by continuing sexual relations with a partner who is untested and untreated.

Its best to always use condoms with partners who may have chlamydia.

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Can Chlamydia Be Cured

Yes, chlamydia can be cured with the right treatment. It is important that you take all of the medication your doctor prescribes to cure your infection. When taken properly it will stop the infection and could decrease your chances of having complications later on. You should not share medication for chlamydia with anyone.

Repeat infection with chlamydia is common. You should be tested again about three months after you are treated, even if your sex partner was treated.

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Female Complications Of Untreated Chlamydia

Some women develop PID, an infection that can damage the uterus, cervix, and ovaries. PID is a painful disease that often requires hospital treatment.

Infertility is also possible if chlamydia is left untreated because the fallopian tubes may become scarred.

During pregnancy, the infection can to babies during birth, which can cause eye infections and pneumonia in newborns.

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Complications From Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

Because these two diseases often have no symptoms, some people go untreated.

Even with those who have symptoms, stigma, access, or other reasons get in the way of getting medical attention.

Not receiving prompt and proper treatment can create serious health problems.

For women, chlamydia and gonorrhea that goes untreated can spread through your uterus to your fallopian tubes.

Fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus and transport fertilized eggs during pregnancy. If untreated bacteria that cause gonorrhea and chlamydia spread to this area, the result is pelvic inflammatory disease , affecting around 5% of women in the US.

Pelvic inflammatory disease, similar to chlamydia and gonorrhea, can have no symptoms or just some pelvic or abdominal pain initially.

Unfortunately, PID can do permanent damage to a womens reproductive system, including:

For men, gonorrhea and chlamydia can also lead to serious health problems.

One difference is that chlamydia can also spread to the urethra, causing Non-Gonococcal urethritis, which is an infection of the tube that carries urine resulting in inflammation, pain, and fever.

This cannot be caused by the bacteria that causes gonorrhea. However, for both diseases, it is possible for either to cause:

For both women and men, chlamydia and gonorrhea can develop into a form of arthritis:

How Can I Reduce My Chances Of Getting Chlamydia

If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting chlamydia:

PrEP, Pre Exposure Prophylaxis, a pill taken daily to prevent HIV infection, will NOT protect you from chlamydia. PrEP is also known by the brand name Truvada or Descovy.

Having chlamydia once does NOT protect you from getting it again.

For more information, visit CDCs chlamydia webpage featuring factsheets, posters, videos, statistics and more. Please contact your local health department for questions and reporting issues.

To submit a question or comment to the HIV/STD/HepC Program, please click on the suggestion box to access our online form.

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Chlamydia Is Really Common

Chlamydia is a SUPER common bacterial infection that you can get from sexual contact with another person. Close to 3 million Americans get it every year, most commonly among 14-24-year-olds.

Chlamydia can be easily cleared up with antibiotics. But if you dont treat chlamydia, it may lead to major health problems in the future. Thats why STD testing is so important the sooner you know you have chlamydia, the faster you can cure it. You can prevent chlamydia by using condoms every time you have sex.

What Do I Need To Know If I Get Treated For Gonorrhea

If youre getting treated for gonorrhea:

• Take all of your medicine the way your doctor tells you to, even if your symptoms go away sooner. The infection stays in your body until you totally finish the antibiotics.

• Your partner should also get treated for gonorrhea so you dont re-infect each other or anyone else.

• Dont have sex for 7 days. If you only have 1 dose of medication, wait until a week after you take it to have sex. If youre taking medicine for 7 days, dont have sex until youve finished all of your pills.

• Get tested again in 3 months to make sure your infection is gone.

• Dont share your medicine with anyone. Your doctor may give you a separate dose of antibiotics for your partner. Make sure you both take all of the medicine you get.

• If you still have symptoms after you finish your treatment, call your doctor.

• Even if you finish your treatment and the gonorrhea is totally gone, its possible to get infected with gonorrhea again. Gonorrhea isnt a one-time-only deal. So use condoms and get tested regularly.

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What Treatment Is Available

Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics. Most antibiotics are safe to take with hormonal contraception like the pill, implant, injection and patch. However, you must tell your nurse or doctor if youre taking any medications if youre pregnant, could be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

In urgent cases, we may treat you before getting your test results back. For example, if youve been contacted by a current or past sexual partner who has tested positive or is worried about being infected, or if youre experiencing one or more of the symptoms after having unprotected sex.

It is extremely important that you dont have sex or any sexual contact for seven days after you and your partner have finished the treatment to avoid being re-infected or passing on the infection.

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How Do I Test For Chlamydia

You can get tested for chlamydia even if you dont have any symptoms.

In some countries you can get a self-testing kit to do at home.

If you test positive for chlamydia, its important to tell any recent sexual partner/s so they can also get tested, and treated if necessary. If you need advice about how to do this, speak to your healthcare professional. You should also test for other STIs.

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Recognizing Symptomatic Chlamydia And Getting Care

Who Is Most Likely To Get Chlamydia

Chlamydia is most common among:

• People under age 25
• People who have more than one sexual contact
• People whose sexual contact have more than one sexual contact
• People who do not use condoms
• People with a history of STIs

Talk to your health care provider if you think you might be at risk for chlamydia.

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