How To Treat Chlamydia In Men
When the infection is caught early, chlamydia is easy to treat with a short course of antibiotics. Over 95% of people will be cured if they take the antibiotics correctly. The two types of antibiotics most commonly used to treat chlamydia are:
- Azithromycin: Taken as 24 tablets all at once.
- Doxycycline: Taken as 2 capsules each day for a week.
If your doctor is concerned about complications from chlamydia , they might prescribe a longer course of antibiotics.
Youll be advised not to have sex until you and your current sexual partner have finished treatment for chlamydia, or until a week after the 1-day treatment. Its also important to contact any other sexual partners who could have been exposed to infection. A sexual health clinic can help you contact people anonymously, if thats what youd prefer.
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.
Can You Recognise Chlamydia From Pictures
Can you tell you if have chlamydia by comparing your visible symptoms with pictures?
No. You cannot tell if you have chlamydia just from the appearance. While you might notice some irritation of the genital area, swelling or discharge, these symptoms can also be caused by other infections. The only way to know that an infection is caused by chlamydia is to have a test.
Could a doctor tell you have chlamydia by looking at visible symptoms?
No. The only way to find out if you have chlamydia is to get tested. After a physical examination your GP may suspect you have chlamydia, but they wont be able to confirm a diagnosis without proper testing.
Could the visible symptoms of chlamydia be mistaken for something else?
Yes, but in many cases chlamydia is symptomless. Symptoms may not occur until 1-3 weeks after you have been infected. The symptoms can also be random and infrequent which can lead individuals to overlook that an infection may be causing the symptoms. It could be that your visible symptoms are a result of a different infection.
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How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed
Health care providers most commonly diagnose chlamydia by testing a urine sample. Less commonly they may place a small swab in the end of the penis. The same sample can be used to test for gonorrhea, another STI. It is important to get tested in order to tell if you have chlamydia or gonorrhea. They have very similar symptoms, but each needs a different treatment. If you or your sexual contact has a positive chlamydia test, you may need to have further testing to check for other possible STIs
Testing For Stis In Men With Symptoms
- We will do a full genital examination of the genital skin, testicles, and penis. We may take a swab from the tip of the penis.
- If you have been receiving anal sex, we can examine your rectum , and take swabs for STIs.
- We will ask for a urine sample to test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
- We will take a blood sample for HIV and syphilis, and in some cases the hepatitis viruses B and C.
- We may take a throat swab, depending on your circumstances.
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When Is It Ordered
Screening
Because many infected people do not have any noticeable symptoms, a number of health organizations recommend regular chlamydia screening for certain people:
Women
All sexually active women younger than age 25 and sexually active women age 25 and older who are at increased risk should get yearly screening for chlamydia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Academy of Pediatrics also recommend routine screening for these women .
Examples of risk factors for chlamydia infection include:
For pregnant women, the CDC recommends screening for chlamydia during the first trimester or first prenatal visit. For women younger than age 25 or at increased risk of infection, testing is repeated in the third trimester. Pregnant women diagnosed with chlamydia should be retested about 3 months after completing treatment.
Diagnosis
Chlamydia testing may also be done when your sex partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia or when you have signs and symptoms of chlamydia.
For women, if symptoms occur, they may include:
For men, symptoms may include:
Are There Complications Of Chlamydia
Chlamydia can cause serious complications if it isnt treated promptly and properly.
Untreated chlamydia can trigger arthritis, skin rashes, and inflammation in the eye or rectum.
For women, chlamydia can spread into the uterus and the fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease . This can cause problems with pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancy. Women with untreated chlamydia have up to a 1 in 12 chance of becoming infertile. In men, chlamydia can spread to the testicles and the tubes that carry sperm, causing pain and fertility problems.
Pregnant women who are infected with chlamydia have a higher chance of miscarriage or premature birth. Their babies may also get an eye or lung infection. You can read more about chlamydia and pregnancy here.
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Is There A Cure For Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
Yes. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can both be cured with the right treatment. If these STDs arent treated, they can cause serious health problems, like making it difficult or impossible for a woman to get pregnant.
If you have an STD, its important to get treatment right away. Its also important to tell anyone youve had sex with that you have an STD so they can get treated, too. This can help protect you from getting infected again.
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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When To Get Tested
What Are The Symptoms Of Chlamydia Infection
Most people have no symptoms at all. If you do get symptoms, you will usually get them about 7-14 days after having unprotected sex.
For women – you may have:
- abnormal bleeding from the vagina including bleeding or spotting after sex
- an abnormal discharge from the vagina
- stinging or burning when passing urine or pain during sex
A pregnant woman who has chlamydia may:
- have a higher chance of having a miscarriage or premature baby
- have a baby with lung and eye infections
For men – you may have:
- a watery or milky discharge from the penis
- redness at the opening of the penis
- stinging or burning when passing urine
- pain and swelling in one or both testicles
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What Happens If A Man Doesnt Treat His Chlamydia
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.
Can Chlamydia Affect My Fertility
A chlamydia or gonorrhea infection may cause inflammation or scarring of the reproductive organs. Sometimes, this may lead to infertility . Both men and women can experience fertility problems after a chlamydia infection. Your risk of infertility increases if you delay treatment.
Women with untreated gonorrhea or chlamydia can also develop a condition known as pelvic inflammatory disease . PID sometimes causes your reproductive organs to swell, triggering chronic pelvic pain and making it difficult to conceive.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can also trigger early laborâand pregnant women with chlamydia can spread the infection to their babies during delivery .
Prompt treatment reduces your risk of complications, as undiagnosed chlamydia may put your health at risk. Regular STI testing can help with early diagnosis of the infection, and most people who receive treatment for chlamydia make a full recovery.
Learning more about the different types of STDs someone can getâlike chlamydiaâcan help you care for your sexual health. To easily check for chlamydia from the comfort of home, simply collect a urine sample and send it to a lab with prepaid shipping using the Everlywell at-home Gonorrhea and Chlamydia test kit.
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How To Prevent Chlamydia In Men
Its very common to become reinfected with chlamydia, as the body doesnt build up immunity after the first infection. There is currently no vaccine for chlamydia, so the only way to protect yourself from becoming infected is to practise safe sex. This is particularly important if you have a new sexual partner and you arent aware of their sexual history.
Best practice is to use a condom during vaginal and anal sex, and while performing oral sex on a male partner. You can also use a dam when you perform oral sex on a female partner. The safest option is to avoid sharing sex toys, but if you do share them you can protect yourself by washing them or covering them with a new condom between uses.
How To Test For Chlamydia: Dna Probe
The DNA probe test or nucleic acid hybridization test might also be used and although it is not as accurate as the NAAT, it is still a reliable type of test. There are also quick tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or direct fluorescent antibody test which is used to detect Chlamydia antigens, substances that are released by the immune system to fight against Chlamydia infections.
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Chlamydia Signs In Male
Many men dont observe the symptoms of chlamydia. A lot of guys have no signs and symptoms whatsoever.
If signs do show up, its usually 1 to 3 weeks after transmission.
A few of one of the most usual signs of chlamydia in guys include:
- burning sensation during peeing
- yellow or green discharge from the penis
- discomfort in the lower abdomen
- discomfort in the testicles
Its also feasible to get a chlamydia infection in the anus. In this case, the primary signs are frequently discharge, discomfort, as well as hemorrhaging from this area.
Having oral sex with someone that has the infection elevates the threat of getting chlamydia in the throat. Signs and symptoms can consist of an aching throat, cough, or high temperature. Its additionally feasible to carry microorganisms in the throat and also not know it. How Do Men Get Chlamydia
How Long Does It Take To Show Up In The Throat
Symptoms of chlamydia in your throat are typically caused by having oral sex with someone whos contracted the infection.
Its much less common to notice throat symptoms, but they may still appear after a week or so, up to a few months or longer.
STI tests that look for chlamydia arent always done on the throat since its an area that does not carry the infection often. Ask your doctor for a throat swab or other chlamydia test if you think youve been exposed through oral sex.
Here are the most common symptoms of chlamydia in both people with penises and people with vulvas.
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How Do They Test For Chlamydia In Men
Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial infections that are spread through sexual intercourse not only in the United States but in several other areas of the world too. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1.7 million cases of this sexually transmitted infection were reported in 2018. This data accounts for the United States alone. The World Health Organization estimates that about 2.7% of men around the world have been infected with Chlamydia between 2009 and 2016.
Due to the fact that chlamydia is a condition that affects male and female patients in unique ways, it is important to consider the differences in testing for these conditions too. In this post, we will consider some unique ways that chlamydia tends to affect men and take a look at what tests are performed to identify the presence of this bacterial infection in a male patient.
How Will I Get My Results
It can take a few days to get your results from a swab test, similar to a Pap smear test in women. If youre a woman, you may also be able to obtain an at-home kit to do the vaginal testing on your own.
Your doctor will call you with the results of your test. Be sure you give your doctor your preferred phone number where you can have privacy, such as a mobile phone number. If you dont want them to leave you a voicemail, be sure you tell them before you leave your appointment.
A urine test is much faster to analyze. Your doctor should be able to tell you the results during the same day as your appointment. The downside is that urine tests may not be as accurate as traditional swab testing.
However, urine testing may be more suitable for men. Its also used for more advanced signs of chlamydia, as your body will have a greater number of bacteria to detect at this stage.
You can obtain a chlamydia test from:
- your primary doctor
- a home testing kit and service
find affordable testing
There are clinics that can perform chlamydia testing at a low cost. In some cases, you may obtain testing free-of-charge. You can find a clinic through the American Sexual Health Associations free locator here. All results are confidential.
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Herpes Testing In Men
There are two types of the herpes virus, oral herpes and genital herpes . The tests are typically performed on sores that appear around the mouth or in the genital area to detect if the herpes virus is causing the breakout of sores and, if so, which herpes virus it is. A doctor performs this test by rubbing a cotton swab against a sore to collect cells for examination. Be prepared for mild discomfort or pain during this process.
If sores are not present, a doctor can also test for herpes using a blood sample. The testing method for this is similar to most other blood samples.
It is important to note that a negative test result does not mean a person is not infected. There are a few factors that can affect the accuracy of the herpes tests, and so, a test should be done twice to confirm the results are accurate. The first test should be taken 12 weeks after exposure, and the second test should be taken 90 days after exposure. The reasons for inaccurate test results include:
- Testing blood before the virus is detectable in your system
- Testing from an old or crusted sore that has almost healed
- You have taken antiviral medication that can counteract the test
Ways To Prevent Chlamydia Infection
In case if you are infected with Chlamydia then it is important to take preventive steps to stop spreading it further to other sex partners. Always prefer to follow these tips for prevention:
Any genital chlamydia symptoms in men like burning sensation at the time of urination or discharge can cause unusual rashes or sore. It is the right symptom to stop sexual contact and visit your doctor immediately. In case your doctor immediately identifies presence of Chlamydia in your body then it is good to start treatment from the same day.
Let your past partners know about this disease and ask them to have test fast at a trusted medical clinic. As Chlamydia symptoms are rarely noticeable so it is important to stay aware and protected with proper Chlamydia cure.
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