What Happens If Chlamydia Isnt Treated
Only some people who have chlamydia will have complications. If chlamydia is treated early, its unlikely to cause any long-term problems. But, without proper treatment, the infection can spread to other parts of the body. The more times you have chlamydia the more likely you are to get complications.
- If you have a vulva, chlamydia can spread to other reproductive organs causing pelvic inflammatory disease . This can lead to long-term pelvic pain, blocked fallopian tubes, infertility and ectopic pregnancy .
- In people with a vulva, chlamydia can also cause pain and inflammation around the liver, though this is rare. This usually gets better with the correct antibiotic treatment.
Im Pregnant How Does Chlamydia Affect My Baby
If you are pregnant and have chlamydia, you can give the infection to your baby during delivery. This can cause an eye infection or pneumonia in your baby. Having chlamydia may also make it more likely to deliver your baby early.
If you are pregnant, you should receive testing for chlamydia at your first prenatal visit. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting the correct examination, testing, and treatment. Testing and treatment are the best ways to prevent health problems.
You Can Get Chlamydia More Than Once
With some diseases, having one infection makes you immune to future infections. That’s 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 you’ve just completed treatment for it.
“Both partners should be treated before reinitiating sexual intercourse to prevent relapse,” Schaffir says.
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I Have Chlamydia Or Gonorrhea What Can This Be
I just found out I have either Chlamydia or Gonorrhea. My question is, is it possible to have had this for 5.5 years without knowing or transmitting it to my spouse?
Doctor’s Assistant: How long have you had gonorrhea? Have you used any medication for it?
I don’t know. that is the question
Doctor’s Assistant: Have you seen a doctor about gonorrhea?
You’re not a real person are you?
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No. I would like a doctor to answer my question
The more common thing to see is that a patient would experience symptoms chlamydia or gonorrhea 7-14 days after exposure or at most, a month after exposure.
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What Can You Do To Relieve Your Symptoms
No home remedy for chlamydia can replace antibiotics. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, so you need to take antibiotics to cure it.
However, there are a few ways you can soothe symptoms while you wait for the antibiotics to get to work. For example:
- Use pain medications, such as ibuprofen to reduce pain
- Use a cold pack to soothe inflammation.
- A herb called goldenseal might reduce inflammation and other symptoms.
- Use an echinacea supplement aid your immune system.
Remember that these home remedies might soothe the symptoms of chlamydia, but they dont actually cure chlamydia in itself. The best way to soothe the symptoms is to use antibiotics.
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Symptoms Can Differ For Men And Women
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:
I Shouldn’t Have To Walk Around With A Scarlet Letter Because Of It
“I was first diagnosed in my early 20s, after dating my now long-term boyfriend. I was not happy at all because obviously who wants that diagnosis, especially knowing the strain I had was high-risk for cervical cancer. Thankfully, the amount of high-risk cells was so low we did nothing more than keep an eye on it for two years or so, until it was no longer showing up on my Pap smears. Fast forward a few years later, I get a phone call after a routine Pap and it was back. I was devastated. It’s a constant worry and root of anxiety for me. I just wish people could understand I contracted a virus that could possibly cause cancer one day and that’s scary enough in itself. I shouldn’t have to walk around with a scarlet letter because of it.”
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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.
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.
Read Also: Signs Of Gonorrhea And Chlamydia
He Was Kind Of Surprised That I Wasn’t Mad At Him And That I Was Just Grateful That He Let Me Know
“I was visiting a different city for a few days and hooked up with a guy from Grindr. We had some amazing sex and went our separate ways. He messaged me four days later saying he had just been diagnosed with chlamydia, to which I responded something along the lines of, ‘No big deal, thanks for letting me know!’
He was kind of surprised that I wasn’t mad at him and that I was just grateful that he let me know. After all of this, we were both so happy with how the interaction went down that we’ve stayed great friends. We always look each other up when we’re visiting each other’s cities and we’ve even gone on vacation together once.”
21/Male/Gay/Chlamydia
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Letting Partners Know You Have Chlamydia
Sexual partners may be infected too. If you have chlamydia, anyone you have had sex with from the last 6 months needs to be informed, tested and treated.
If they dont know, they could reinfect you or infect someone else if they are not treated. dont receive treatment.
Most people will appreciate being told they may have an infection and it is an important step in preventing further infection in the community.
Your local GP and sexual health centre can help you inform your partners and let them know that they need a test. This process is called partner notification. It can be done anonymously, and your confidentiality is always respected.
You can also anonymously notify your sexual partners of the need to get tested and treated for chlamydia via the Let Them Know website if you feel unable to speak to them personally.
There are also nurses who can help you anonymously notify your partners. They can be contacted on .
Will I Be Screened For Chlamydia During My Pregnancy
Most likely, yes. Because it’s so important to detect and treat chlamydia during pregnancy, because it’s a relatively common infection, and because the infection usually occurs without symptoms, the CDC recommends that all pregnant women be screened for chlamydia at their first prenatal visit.
If you’re under 25 years old or otherwise at high risk for contracting chlamydia , your practitioner might repeat the test during your third trimester, to make sure you’re not infected as you prepare for delivery. You’ll also be retested if you’ve contracted another STI during your pregnancy or if you or your partner develops symptoms of chlamydia.
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When Should I Get Tested
Don’t delay getting tested if you think you might have chlamydia. Being diagnosed and treated as soon as possible will reduce your risk of developing any serious complications of chlamydia.
You can get a chlamydia test at any time although you might be advised to repeat the test later on if you have it less than 2 weeks since you had sex because the infection might not always be found in the early stages.
You should consider getting tested for chlamydia if:
- you think you could have a sexually transmitted infection
- a sexual partner tells you they have an STI
- you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy
- you’re offered a chlamydia test as part of the NCSP
If you live in England, you’re a woman under 25 and sexually active, it’s recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year, and when you have sex with new or casual partners.
If you live in England, you’re a man under 25 and sexually active, it’s recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year if you are not using condoms with new or casual partners.
If you have chlamydia, you may be offered another test 3 to 6 months after being treated. This is because young adults who test positive for chlamydia are at increased risk of catching it again.
Know Your Sexual Health Status
If you have recently changed sexual partners, or have multiple sex partners, getting regularly tested for STIs will tell you if you have an infection. Some people can have an STI and not have any symptoms. Finding and treating an STI reduces the chances of passing infections on to your partner.
The more partners you have, the higher your chances of getting exposed to STIs.
Also Check: Do Males Get Chlamydia Symptoms
Can I Get Chlamidia From Anything But Sex
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chris03 over a year ago
Hey my name is Kat I have recently been accused of sleeping around on my almost one year relationship.. I have not cheatted on him and wasnt planning on it. I started feeling stomach pain and went to the doctor and was diagnosed with chlamidya I know my boyfriend woulnt cheat on me either so Im guessing its from my past boyfriend Rob sence I caught him cheatting on me .. I believe I didnt get the symptoms till I guess 8-9 months after being with him
one more thing I also believe that this kind of bacterial infection can be caused by toys!.. I like to play and I think that maybe i didnt do such a great job sanatizing my objects !
Guest over a year ago
I think there is something def. wrong here. caz well web MD does say it is possible for you to catch it off a toilet seat! ITS not likely or common but its possible. LOOK IT UP! I read all the post and well Ive talked to many doctors about this issue and well I honestly dont think its covered well in med school caz everyone gives me a different answer. My question is how often is it misdiagnosed?
Doctors are Not god and they to make mistakes!
Guest over a year ago
Even Though It Had Been Out Of My Control It Still Felt Like My Fault
“I’d contracted the STI as a result of a sexual assault and was in a new relationship at the time. I felt fear and shame. I felt absolutely disgusting, and so angry at myself because I KNEW how to practice safe sex, and even though it had been out of my control, it still felt like my fault. I hadn’t slept with my new boyfriend and didn’t until I knew I was clear of infection. The treatment was quick and easy and the nurse who saw me was very supportive and understanding, which made everything seem a lot easier. I told my parents, who were equally understanding and sympathetic, and I managed to contact my attacker to let him know what he had, which was a cathartic thing for me to do. I felt satisfaction in knowing he was in the position I’d been in a few weeks prior.”
18/Female/Straight/Chlamydia
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What Happens If You Dont Seek Treatment
If you take your antibiotics as directed, chlamydia is likely to go away. But if its left untreated, it can cause a few complications.
For example, if you have a vulva, you could develop pelvic inflammatory disease . PID is a painful infection that could damage your uterus, cervix, and ovaries.
Untreated chlamydia can also lead to scarred fallopian tubes, which can cause infertility.
If youre pregnant, untreated chlamydia can be transmitted to the baby during vaginal delivery. Chlamydia can cause eye infections and pneumonia in newborns.
Untreated chlamydia can lead to epididymitis, which is when the epididymis becomes inflamed, causing pain.
Chlamydia can also spread to the prostate gland, which can lead to painful sex, lower back pain, and a fever.
Fortunately, treatment for chlamydia is relatively straightforward. And if its treated quickly, youre unlikely to experience any long-term complications.
When To Seek Medical Advice
If you have any symptoms of chlamydia, visit your GP, community contraceptive service or local genitourinary medicine clinic as soon as possible.
You should also get tested if you dont have any symptoms but are concerned you could have a sexually transmitted infection .
If youre a woman, sexually active and under 25 in England, its recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year, and when you have sex with new or casual partners.
If youre a man, sexually active and under 25 in England, its recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year if you are not using condoms with new or casual partners.
Read Also: How To Tell If You Have Chlamydia Men
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Chlamydia: I Never Told Anyone
I found out I had chlamydia just before I dated my boyfriend, when it began to be serious I got tested but I never told anyone the result. I took my medicine in secret and began to have sex without a condom once I was clean. I told him my test was negative. Since I have a âsex education roleâ towards my friends, I couldnât admit I made a mistake, and I never told my family because they are not open about sexuality in general. I had to face all this alone and I spent a lot of money for the test. It was a very stressful moment, I was not even 19 and in my country when you turn 18, all these tests arenât free anymore.âAnonymous, woman, France, 20
When To See A Doctor
If a person has symptoms of chlamydia after testing and treatment or thinks that they have come into contact with chlamydia again, they should see their doctor.
Females are less likely than males to have symptoms of chlamydia, so testing is especially important for them.
The recommend chlamydia testing every year for the following groups of people:
- sexually active females under the age of 25 years
- females over the age of 25 years who have new or multiple sexual partners
- anyone with a sexual partner who has an STI
- sexually active gay and bisexual males
Pregnant women should have a chlamydia test early on in their pregnancy.
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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.
Chlamydia Is Common But Many People Dont Realize They Have It
About 1.7 million chlamydia infections were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2017, but the real number is likely higher because chlamydia is considered an underreported infection.
“The number of reported cases is substantially lower than the true estimated incidence,” says Bradley Stoner, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and former president of the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association.
The National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System relies on state and local public health departments to collect and report data on chlamydia to the CDC. Those public health departments depend on individual physicians, hospitals, and laboratories to report cases of chlamydia to them. Accurate statistics require all parties to routinely comply with disease-reporting mandates.
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