What Are The Symptoms
Eye problems caused by chlamydia in adults usually develop slowly. Symptoms may include:
- Red, itchy, swollen or scratchy eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Pus or watery discharge
Usually there is no change in vision and no pain.
In a newborn, the symptoms may be eye redness, eyelid swelling, and watery discharge that start when the baby is 5 to 7 days old.
Can Chlamydia In Eye Be Treated
Technological advancements in medicine and the ability to detect the infection in early-stage phases even when no symptoms are present are truly fascinating. Chlamydia can be treated completely without any long-term health defects if addressed and treated at the right time. If you have the above symptoms of Chlamydia in Eye, then get tested for Chlamydia right away to confirm and proceed further with diagnosis to make things right. If you are tested positive for Chlamydia, your physician will assess your test results along with your historical sexual relationships and your symptoms and prescribe medications that can help suppress the symptoms and get rid of the bacteria.
Is There Any Preparation Required Before The Test
For the urine sample, you should abstain from urinating for at least one hour before the test. The sample to be tested must consist of clean-first-catch urine. First-catch urine is about 20-30 ml of the initial urine stream. Be careful not to mix it with water or any other substances, as this might dilute the sample.
Women are encouraged to avoid cleansing the labial area before providing a sample. Otherwise, there is no special preparation required for the test.
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Other Symptoms Of Chlamydia
When it comes to STDs, they are pure villains attacking silently without any noise upfront. Chlamydia can take anywhere between days to several weeks for the initial symptoms to appear. This makes it difficult to diagnose the disease in the first place as the symptoms themselves play silent. When the symptoms occur, the following can be experienced.
Causative Agents And Pathogenesis
C. trachomatis belonging to family Chlamydiaceae, a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacteria is the causative agent of trachoma and inclusion conjunctivitis and urogenital infections.C. trachomatis has a single chromosome of ~1 Mbp that codes for 875 genes and multiple copies of endogenous plasmids functioning as virulence factors.C. trachomatis is biphasic, consists of metabolically active, larger reticulate bodies and smaller resistant and metabolically inert elementary bodies which functions as the infective form. The organism completes its life cycle in conjunctival epithelial cells within 4872 h with the release of 200 infective EB. The infected host cells are characterized by the presence of a chlamydial inclusion in the perinuclear region.
The infection evokes an intense mixed inflammatory response in the conjunctiva initiated by the cytokines and interferon released by the infected cells. Initially, the neutrophils infiltrate the conjunctiva followed by lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells, and eosinophils. This diffuse infiltration is accompanied by the presence of intermittent follicles . Innate proinflammatory immune response by the infected epithelial cells or T-cell response to repeated chlamydial infections leads to trachomatous scarring , in which loose Type I stromal collagen of conjunctiva is replaced by compact Type V collagen. Eventually, goblet cell numbers reduce and epithelial cells are thinned out.
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Is There A Home Test Kit Available For Chlamydia
Absolutely. A home test kit for Chlamydia is available for those who are not comfortable talking about their sexual history to the doctors. We are proud to say that one of our lab partners provides an at-home chlamydia testing kit service across the US.
You will order the home test kit that will be sent to your home containing all the tools and information . You will be asked to take the sample as per the information provided and ship it back to the mentioned address. Sit back and relax, you shall receive your report in an email in within 1 5 working days.
What Does A Chlamydia Infection Look Like
Although few, some of the visible signs of chlamydia in females include:
- Cervical inflammation and bleeding: the infection can cause inflammation at the cervix and make the outer portion of the cervix look red, a condition called cervicitis. This would only be visible if a health care provider examines you.
- Discharge: some of the signs you have chlamydia also includes a change in vaginal discharge. Youll notice more discharge than usual, and it may be yellowish or even bloodstained, that may have an odor.
- Swelling during a pelvic exam: sometimes, during your pelvic exam, your doctor might discover tenderness within the pelvis, especially on touching the cervix. They may also detect swelling of the tubes and ovaries.
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When Is A Chlamydia Test Performed
A chlamydia infection doesnt usually cause symptoms, so people may not know they have it. Untreated, chlamydia can cause serious health problems and infertility. Thats why providers screen for chlamydia, which means they regularly test certain people who have a higher risk of infection. You should get regular chlamydia screenings if you:
- Are sexually active, especially if youre under 25.
- Are a man who has sex with men.
- Are pregnant and under age 25. Pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases can be dangerous for you and your baby.
- Know that your partner has a sexually transmitted disease or sexually transmitted infection .
- Plan to have sex with a new partner or have more than one partner.
If you previously tested positive for chlamydia and got treated for it, you should get follow-up tests. You usually need a test about a month after treatment and two months after that to make sure the treatment worked.
If you have symptoms of chlamydia infection you may or may not have symptoms of chlamydia. If so, your provider will recommend a test. Symptoms of chlamydia include:
- Burning sensation while urinating .
- Discharge from your vagina, penis or anus.
- Painful intercourse or bleeding after having sex.
Chlamydia Test Cost Without Insurance
Generally, insurance companies in the US do not cover the screening tests of sexually transmitted diseases including chlamydia. However, policies from providers like Medicare and UnitedHealth vary widely. We recommended you get checked with your health insurance provider regarding the chlamydia test coverage.
Our above-mentioned Chlamydia STD testing providers offer do not accept any health insurance. But, on request, they may provide the itemized receipt which contains all the required details like the name and code of the test, and the CPT code necessary for insurance reimbursement purposes.
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How Do You Treat A Chlamydia Eye Infection
To begin, your healthcare provider will likely enquire about any symptoms youve been experiencing, they will also examine your eyes and may take a swab sample from the eye area to check for bacteria.
Once diagnosed, chlamydial conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotic pills and/or specific eye drops to help fight against the chlamydia infection. Its important to remember to follow and complete the full course of antibiotics that your doctor has prescribed.
One of the best ways to reduce your risk of contracting an STD is with regular screening. This can be done by taking a trip to your doctors office or from the comfort of your own home with an at-home lab test.
LetsGetChecked offers a range of at-home STI tests which check for some of the most common bacterial and viral infections with online results in just 5 days. If you have any questions about your results, our dedicated nurses are available.
You should consider taking a test if:
- You become sexually active
- You have had unprotected sex
- Youre experiencing symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection
- Youre entering into a new sexual relationship
- You have received a notification from a previous partner that they are infected
Its important to note that while our tests can detect the presence of regular chlamydia through a urine sample, we do not currently offer to test for chlamydial conjunctivitis.
Chlamydia Symptoms In Women:
- testicular pain and/or swelling
- swollen skin around the anus
Depending on the localization of the infection, women, men and children may experience inflamed rectum, urethra or eyelids. The symptoms of mouth and throat infections are rare although a person can suffer a sore throat. Eyes infected with chlamydia can be itchy, swelled, cause painful sensations or produce discharge similar to conjunctivitis. Infection in the rectum results in bleeding, chlamydia discharge and pain.
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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 is spread through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. The infection is carried in semen , pre-cum, and vaginal fluids. Chlamydia can infect the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, eyes, and throat. Most people with chlamydia dont have any symptoms and feel totally fine, so they might not even know theyre infected.
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.
Rules For Successful Treatment
The patient should make sure that the doctor is informed if the patient is pregnant or has any allergies. These conditions influence the choice of the medicine prescribed. No matter which antibiotic the patient takes treating chlamydia the following points should be remembered:
- The treatment of all partners on the infected person is obligatory
- Abstain from sex contacts during the treatment and until the negative result on chlamydia test is received
- It is unadvisable to interrupt the course of antibiotics treatment as it will result in the necessity to start again from the beginning. Although the symptoms may disappear, the infection may still remain in the body
- It is necessary to get tested after 34 months after the end of the treatment to make sure the infection is no longer in the body.
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Can You Get Chlamydia In The Eye
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How Is Chlamydia Treated
Chlamydia can be cleared up with antibiotics in about a week or two. But dont stop taking your medication just because your symptoms improve. Ask your provider about what follow-up is needed to be sure your infection is gone after youve finished taking your medicine.
Part of your treatment should also include avoiding sexual activities that could cause you to get re-infected and ensuring that any sexual partners who may be infected also get treatment. You should:
- Abstain from sex until your infection has cleared up. Starting treatment doesnt mean that youre in the clear. Take all your medication as your provider directs, and avoid all sexual contact in the meantime.
- Contact all sexual partners. Tell any sexual partners from the last 3 months that youre infected so that they can get tested, too.
- Get tested for other STIs . Its common to have multiple STIs, and its important to receive treatment thats tailored to each infection.
Antibiotics can get rid of your infection, but they cant reverse any harm the bacteria may have caused to your body before treatment. This is why its so important to get screened regularly for chlamydia, to see your provider at the first sign of symptoms, and get treatment immediately if youre infected.
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How Can You Get Chlamydia In Eye
Getting Chlamydia in Eye can be rare by can happen. The most common cause is when you touch your eyes with your unwashed hands after touching the genitals of the infected partner or contact your eye with your fingers after having intimacy with your partner. Eyes are moist and the bacteria can easily adapt and starts to manipulate causing itching, irritation, and pinkish eyes symptoms that can be indicative of something wrong an STD like Chlamydia.
Can You Develop A Chlamydia Infection On Your Own
Fortunately, you canât contract chlamydia on your own because it spreads through sexual contact with other people.
Chlamydia bacteria does, however, thrive in vaginal fluid, semen, and pre-ejaculate . For that reason, using a latex condom properly during sexual intercourse and avoiding any kind of unprotected sex is the best way to protect yourself from developing or passing on a chlamydia infection. Caution is important, but fear is unnecessary: you donât need to worry about contracting chlamydia from kissing someone or sitting on a public toilet seat.
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When Should I Call My Doctor About A Chlamydia Test
A note from Cleveland Clinic
A chlamydia test is essential to limiting the spread of this sexually transmitted infection. Its especially important to get screened for chlamydia regularly if youre at a higher risk of this STI. Untreated, the infection can cause health problems and you can spread it to your partner. While youre waiting for results and during treatment, avoid having sex. Wait until your provider says its safe to have sex again. Be sure to use a condom and practice safe sex to avoid getting an STI.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/28/2022.
References
Treatment For Chlamydial Inclusion Conjunctivitis
If you experience these symptoms or you have been infected by Chlamydia, you should see your Master Eye Associates optometrist as soon as possible for treatment. The infection is treated primarily with oral antibiotics such as azithromycin in very high dosage. The patient and their sexual partners should be evaluated by their primary care physicians for other sexually transmitted diseases and should be treated to prevent re-infection.
Eye Care Resources
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What Causes Chlamydial Conjunctivitis
Similar to an infection in the genital area, chlamydial conjunctivitis is usually caused when the eyes come into contact with the semen or vaginal fluids of someone with a chlamydia infection .
Often people with chlamydial conjunctivitis will also have an associated genital infection, of which they may not be aware. If left untreated, chlamydia infection may pass from the vaginal canal to a baby during childbirth, sometimes causing lung or eye infections in newborns.
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Preventing The Spread Of Infection
It is absolutely necessary to inform the partner if you get a positive test for Chlamydia. The sooner the partner is told the more effective and simple the treatment can be. Make sure your partner gets tested and receives the treatment as well and abstain from the intercourse until the treatment of both you and the partner is finished.
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How Can I Take Care Of Myself
Follow the full course of treatment your healthcare provider prescribes. Ask your healthcare provider:
- How and when you will hear your test results
- How long it will take to recover
- What activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
- How to take care of yourself at home
- What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them
Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup.
When Can I Have Unprotected Sex After Chlamydia Treatment
Even if your chlamydia infection has been cured, its not recommended to practice unsafe sex. Having your STD treated doesnt guarantee that the infection will never come back. In fact, many people become infected with STDs multiple times because they continue to have unprotected sex with partners who have untreated STDs.
If you have a regular sexual partner, tell them about your infection so they can get treatment as well. Once youre sure you both got treated, you have to wait until the treatment has had time to be effective before you start having unprotected sex again.
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What Does Chlamydia In The Eyes Look Like
An internet search of âeye chlamydiaâ will display a range of pictures, displaying what looks to be a painful eye infection. The main theme is redness of the eye, that can be swollen, with visible discharge on the lower eyelid. Pictures of more severe infections show crusty eyelids that look difficult to open.
How Do You Catch Chlamydia
You can get chlamydia through:
- Unprotected oral sex and sex without a condom. You dont even have to experience penetration to get it as you can transmit the bacteria by only touching genitals together.
- Anal sex can also result in a chlamydia infection.
- Sharing sex toys.
- Infected mothers who have the infection might transfer it to their newborn baby during birth. For this reason, all expecting mothers should double-check for chlamydia with their OB-GYN.
- You can get a chlamydia infection in the eye if infected semen or vaginal fluid gets into your eyes.
You cant catch chlamydia through kissing, hugging, sharing baths, towels, swimming pools, toilet seats, or cutlery.
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Chlamydia Test For Women
To diagnose the infection, your doctor can use a few different chlamydia tests. Your doctor will likely ask you about your symptoms and why you think you have the infection. When this happens, its important to be as honest as possible.
Your health care provider will probably use a swab to take a sample from the cervix and send it to a lab to be analyzed. If theres a possibility the bacteria is in your throat or anus, these areas may be swabbed as well. Other tests include a chlamydia urine test to check for the presence of the bacteria.
Although many physicians do it, a chlamydia test is not automatically done at the time that a Pap test is done.
For this reason, its important for women, especially sexually active women aged 25 and under, to ask their health care provider whether theyre getting tested for chlamydia every year.
If you think you may have been exposed to an STD, youll have to ask for a screening.
Fortunately, chlamydia is easy to treat. If you suspect that you have it, youll need to:
- See your health care provider immediately before the infection does damage to your reproductive organs.
- Listen to your doctor and take all of your medicine. Even if your symptoms go away, you should finish your pills.
- Tell your sexual partner. They should know about the infection so that they too can be tested and treated.
- Avoid having sexual intercourse until you and your partner have been cured.
Since chlamydia is a bacteria, your doctor will prescribe you antibiotics.