What Can Be Done To Prevent The Spread Of Chlamydia
- Limit your number of sex partners
- Use a male or female condom
- If you think you are infected or have been exposed, avoid any sexual contact and visit a local sexually transmitted disease clinic, a hospital or your doctor. Either bring your sex partners with you when you are treated or notify them immediately so they can obtain examination and treatment.
Treatment Of Chlamydia Is There A Cure For Chlamydia
Chlamydia can be cured easily and effectively with simple antibiotics once it has been diagnosed. The treatment can consist of a single dose or last up to 2 weeks depending on the type of chlamydia. The infected person should not have penetrative sex until receiving a negative Chlamydia test at an after-treatment check-up. Both partners must be treated for chlamydia and undergo re-testing after 34 months.
What Happens If You Dont Get Treated For Chlamydia
Even though chlamydia is common and doesnt usually cause any symptoms, it can become a big deal if its not caught and treated early.
Chlamydia can spread to your uterus and fallopian tubes if it goes untreated for a long time. This can cause you to have pelvic inflammatory disease . PID can cause permanent damage that leads to pain, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy. So getting tested regularly for chlamydia really lowers your chances of getting PID.
If you have a penis, a chlamydia infection can spread to your epididymis if its left untreated, and can cause chronic joint pain. Rarely, it can make you infertile.
Having chlamydia may increase your chances of getting or spreading HIV.
If you have chlamydia during your pregnancy and dont treat it, you can pass it to your baby when youre giving birth. Chlamydia can also cause eye infections and pneumonia in newborns, and it also increases the risk of delivering your baby too early.
Testing and treatment for chlamydia is quick, easy, and the best way to avoid all of these problems.
Dont Miss: Is The Treatment For Chlamydia And Gonorrhea The Same
Also Check: What Does Chlamydia Feel Like For A Guy
Chlamydia Is Caused By Sexually Transmitted Bacteria
The bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis causes chlamydia infection, which usually occurs in the genital tract, so the cervix in women and the penis in men. In both women and men, the bacteria may also infect the rectum and the throat.
âInfections are spread during any kind of sexual activity: vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse,â says Jonathan Schaffir, MD, an ob-gyn at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.
Chlamydia trachomatis can also cause conjunctivitis if the bacteria come into contact with the eyelids or the clear membrane covering the white of the eye.
Because chlamydia infections often cause no symptoms, individuals who have one may not seek medical attention or get treated for it. However, anyone who is infected with chlamydia can pass it to other people, who can, in turn, pass it to others.
Possible Treatment For Chlamydia
As per medical professionals, Chlamydia can be easily treated with the help of antibiotic therapy. These antibiotics can be assigned for the 7-day course with a single dose per day. It is essential to stay away from sexual activity for these 7 days so that infection can be controlled with ease and your partner does not get infected with it.
The commonly known antibiotics for this chlamydia in women treatment are Doxycycline and Azithromycin but professionals may also recommend few other antibiotics for this treatment. In case if the lady affected with Chlamydia is pregnant that few other antibiotics can also be used as like ethyl succinate, erythromycin, and amoxicillin but pregnant ladies should not consume doxycycline. It is also essential to make your partner aware about the disease and bring him to the medical professional to undergo important tests.
Also Check: How To Get A Free Chlamydia Test
What Is The Prognosis For A Female With Chlamydia
As discussed previously, chlamydia infection can progress to pelvic inflammatory disease if untreated, which can have serious consequences. Complications include permanent damage to the reproductive organs, including infertility and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. Chlamydia infection in pregnancy can also lead to low birth weight and premature delivery as well as pneumonia and eye damage in the newborn.
Having an untreated chlamydia infection can also increase a person’s risk for acquiring HIV infection. It can also increase the risk that a person with HIV infection will transmit the infection to others during sexual intercourse.
How Do You Test For Male Chlamydia
Early testing and treatment of chlamydia is key. If youve recently had unprotected sex with a new partner, with someone you suspect may be infected or if you just havent been tested for STIs in a while, you should get tested. You can do this at your local GP or GUM clinic, .
Alternatively, you can order a chlamydia test kit from us and take your test at home and further chlamydia treatment if required. Because chlamydia is highly prevalent among 16 to 25 year-olds, chlamydia tests are now offered at most youth clubs and universities too.
Youll need to provide a urine sample you may need to refrain from passing urine for about two hours leading up to the test to get an accurate result. If youve been engaging in oral or anal sex, you should also get a swab test of your rectum or throat.
If you dont have much time or would prefer a home test, you can order a chlamydia test kit from us and have it delivered to your UK address within 48 hours. Your sample will be sent to a lab for analysis and youll be contacted with the result within a few days.
Also Check: Will A Zpack Clear Up Chlamydia
What Happens If Chlamydia Goes Untreated In Women
Untreated chlamydia in women leads to serious health problems. The bacteria can affect your reproductive organs, mouth, throat, and even your eyes.
Between 10% and 15% of chlamydia cases in women lead to PID. The chlamydia bacteria can spread to your reproductive organs and scar your fallopian tubes. This condition is called pelvic inflammatory disease. If untreated chlamydia in women leads to PID, you may feel severe pelvic pain.
Chlamydia bacteria in female reproductive organs can make it difficult to get pregnant. Long-term chlamydia infections may cause infertility by scarring your fallopian tubes. PID is a medical emergency. It requires prompt treatment from your doctor.
Rectal infections
Chlamydia may infect your rectum during anal sex. Rectal infections may not cause symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, they may include:
- Pain around your anus
- Bleeding
Throat infections
If you perform oral sex on a person with chlamydia, you may get a throat infection. In addition to other chlamydia symptoms, you may also have a cough or sore throat.
Chlamydia may leave you with open sores. Bacteria enter your bloodstream easier through open sores, increasing your risk for HIV.
Passing chlamydia to your baby
Chlamydia In Women: A Complete Guide
To help women protect themselves against this common type of sexually transmitted disease , Flo has prepared a guide that explains the basics of chlamydia.
STDs are infections that are transmitted from one person to another via sexual contact. Today, there are over 20 types of STDs and chlamydia is one of them.
Whether you suspect that you might have it or want to educate yourself, let this guide help you find all the answers you were looking for.
You May Like: Which Is An Effect Of Chlamydia
Long Term Effects Of Gonorrhea Infection In Men:
Gonorrhea infection in men exhibits as abnormal discharge from penis, burning sensation during urination and inflammation of urethra. Rarely, there is Epididymitis due to which the testicles get swollen and there is problem with sperm development. If left untreated, it leads to infertility. Some men even suffer from reactive arthritis, inflammation of the prostate gland and prostate cancer.
Other Complications of gonorrhea, if it remains in the body include:
The risk factors of getting infected with gonorrhea include:
- Unprotected sex with partner suffering from untreated gonorrhea infection.
- Not maintaining hygiene when dealing with infected patients. Infection spreads from infected hands to eyes.
- An untreated pregnant female passes gonorrhea infection to the child in her womb.
Read Also: Can You Detect Chlamydia In Urine
D Lactic Acid Is The Key Component In Lactobacillus Cell
Lactobacillus culture supernatants contain a wide variety of anti-microbial products. Forty-five lactobacillus metabolic components, including lactic acid, non-derivatization of various amino acids, and carnitine, were assessed using ion-selective electrodes and UPLC-MS/MS in L. iners, L. crispatus, L. jensenii, L. salivarius, L. gasseri, L. mucosae, and L. reuteri culture supernatants to gain more insight into the dominant component killing C. trachomatis. Lactic acid was present at 5- to 100-fold more in the seven lactobacillus culture supernatants when compared to the MRS medium, with lactic acid increasing the most among other non-derivatization of various amino acids and carnitine . We found that most lactobacillus culture supernatants had 3- to 6-fold higher D
or L lactic acid alone. Each bar represents the mean ± SD of the IFUs from three independent experiments. Results of lactic acid isomers assays from an independent sample. ***p< 0.001 .
Read Also: Can You Take Any Antibiotics For Chlamydia
Don’t Miss: What Dosage Of Azithromycin Is Used To Treat Chlamydia
Testing For Chlamydia In Women
Diagnosing chlamydia requires a sample from every area at risk of infection, which depends on the type of sex you enjoy. For women, most healthcare providers usually collect a vaginal swab or a cervical swab to test for chlamydia. If you have engaged in receptive anal sex, your provider may get a rectal swab. Similarly, if you have performed oral sex, you may need a throat swab.
You Can Get Chlamydia More Than Once
With some diseases, having one infection makes you immune to future infections. Thats not the case with chlamydia. If you engage in sexual activity with a person who has a chlamydia infection, you can get it again, even if youve just completed treatment for it.
Both partners should be treated before reinitiating sexual intercourse to prevent relapse, Schaffir says.
Don’t Miss: What Are The Signs Of Chlamydia In A Man
Can You Get Chlamydia Treatment Online
Yes. You can request chlamydia treatment online from some online doctors and health services. These services are able to provide both discrete testing and treatment.
Some states offer free chlamydia test kits, which can be ordered online. Telehealth teams can also search locations near you to help arrange testing. If you have tested positive, online doctors can then prescribe antibiotics to your local pharmacy. .
Read Also: 2 Day Treatment For Chlamydia
Does Oral Chlamydia Go Away
Chlamydia, whether it is oral or genital does not go away on its own.
It is possible for the symptoms of chlamydia to go away for a short period of time, but that does not mean you no longer have chlamydia. The infection may persist in the body in the absence of treatment .
A short course of antibiotics are required to treat chlamydia, and a follow up test is required to ensure the risk of re-infection.
Read Also: Do I Have A Yeast Infection Or Chlamydia
Inflammation Of The Testicles
In men, chlamydia can spread to the testicles and epididymis , causing them to become painful and swollen. This is known as epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis. This is very rare.
The inflammation is usually treated with antibiotics. If it’s not treated, there’s a possibility it could affect your fertility.
Am I At Risk For Contracting Chlamydia During My Pregnancy
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk for contracting chlamydia via vaginal, anal, or oral sex.You have the highest risk of contracting chlamydia during your pregnancy if you are sexually active and:
- Have multiple sexual partners,
- Have sex without a condom,
- Have had a previous or current STI, and/or
- Have a partner with an STI.
You May Like: Can You Get Rid Of Chlamydia Without Medicine
Causes Of Chlamydia In Women
The very first thing that you need to understand about this sexually transmitted disease is the causes that lead to its symptoms. This information is essential not only to avail right treatment rather it also assists in disease prevention. As already discussed, Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that finds its way behind a bacteria Chlamydia Trachomatis. Now, as it is not caused by a virus so the disease can spread from one affected person to another healthy body only when a direct contact is established. This disease can affect both males as well as females.
Chlamydia trachomatis microscopy magnification 3D illustration
Chlamydia use to have a direct effect on the reproductive system of teens or adults and its major impact is noticed on people that are sexually active. As per medical professionals, Chlamydia targets mucous membranes inside the human body and it happens only when a person makes a direct contact with an infected partner via oral, anal or vaginal sex.
Reports reveal that this disease can also be transferred from infected mother to her new born child, where the major symptoms are recognized in form of pneumonia or eye infection in the infant. Some of you might be interested to know that why Chlamydia affects young adults in most of the cases the reason behind is that in their body, the uterus opening is in process of maturity so it is not capable enough to resists against bacterial transmission.
Young Sexually Active Women Are Most Susceptible
Women between ages 15 and 24 are most likely to be newly infected with chlamydia, according to the CDC, but anyone who is sexually active male or female can be infected. Men who have oral or anal sex with men are also at risk, notes the CDC. The CDC recommends regular chlamydia screenings for people at an increased risk of contracting it.
You should be screened annually for chlamydia if you are:
- A sexually active woman under age 25
- A woman age 25 or older who has multiple sexual partners
- A woman whose sexual partner may have multiple sexual partners
- Pregnant and under age 25 or pregnant and age 25 or older with an increased risk
- A man who has sex with men
- At an increased risk for other health reasons
I would emphasize that young women should be screened if they engage in any sexual behavior that puts them at risk because often has no symptoms, and early treatment is important to avoid long-term damage and infertility, Dr. Schaffir says.
Screening for chlamydia is painless: It usually involves testing a urine sample or a specimen swabbed from the vagina or penis. Some lab tests for chlamydia can use specimens from the throat or rectum.
Recommended Reading: Can You Get Chlamydia Pills Over Counter
Is The Risk Of Sequelae Increased During A Repeat Chlamydial Infection
Studies Assessing the Risk of Sequelae after at Least 1 Detected and Treated Chlamydia trachomatis Infection
Repeat infections with C. trachomatis are common and may contribute to the higher incidence of PID among women at high risk , compared with women in the general population . Similarly, the higher risk of repeat chlamydial infection among women with 1 detected infection may help explain the higher rates of PID associated with longer follow-up of these women .
Studies Assessing the Risk of Sequelae after Repeat Chlamydia trachomatis Infections
In the retrospective cohort study assessing diagnosed chlamydia and sequelae risk that was conducted by Hillis et al , women who were identified as C. trachomatis positive 2 times in Wisconsin county databases from 1985 through 1992 were twice as likely and those with 3 diagnosed infections were > 4 times as likely to be hospitalized with an ectopic pregnancy. Another registry study involving 20,762 Norwegian women using the health care system from 1990 through 2003 reported a similar dose-response relationship between detected C. trachomatis infection and ectopic pregnancy . Compared with women who tested negative for C. trachomatis, women with a history of a diagnosed chlamydial infection had almost a 2-fold increased risk of ectopic pregnancy and those with 2 diagnosed chlamydial infections had a 3-fold increased risk of ectopic pregnancy .
How Can I Prevent Chlamydia
The best way to prevent chlamydia or any STI is to not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI with the following steps:
- Use condoms. Condoms are the best way to prevent STIs when you have sex. Because a man does not need to ejaculate to give or get chlamydia, make sure to put the condom on before the penis touches the vagina, mouth, or anus. Other methods of birth control, like birth control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms, will not protect you from STIs.
- Get tested. Be sure you and your partner are tested for STIs. Talk to each other about the test results before you have sex.
- Be monogamous. Having sex with just one partner can lower your risk for STIs. After being tested for STIs, be faithful to each other. That means that you have sex only with each other and no one else.
- Limit your number of sex partners. Your risk of getting STIs goes up with the number of partners you have.
- Do not douche.Douching removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that protects you from infection. This may increase your risk of getting STIs.4
- Do not abuse alcohol or drugs. Drinking too much alcohol or using drugs increases risky behavior and may put you at risk of sexual assault and possible exposure to STIs.
The steps work best when used together. No single step can protect you from every single type of STI.
Also Check: Where To Get Antibiotics For Chlamydia