You Can Catch Chlamydia If Youve Only Had Sex Once
You may have heard that its not possible to get chlamydia from a single sex act. If youve had sex with someone who has the infection, you could get it, too. One encounter is all it takes to pass on the bacteria, so get tested.
In up to 15 percent of women with untreated chlamydia, the infection spreads to the uterus and uterine tubes, leading to symptomatic pelvic inflammatory disease.
If youve had unprotected sex and are worried that you might have chlamydia, get tested. The test is easy and painless. Your doctor could take a sample of your cells with a cotton swab or ask you to pee in a cup. The sample is tested for chlamydia bacteria. If your doctor says you have chlamydia, dont worry. Its treatable.
How Serious Is Gonorrhea
If you are able to treat gonorrhea immediately, it will lessen the risks of long-term damages. However, if you didnt address your gonorrhea properly, it can lead to more complicated diseases. And in some cases, it can even cause infertility.
As we have mentioned earlier, gonorrhea is a treatable disease. But if youre not into antibiotics and other medical procedures, here are some alternative remedies for gonorrhea treatment.
How Does Chlamydia Affect Your Period
Chlamydia may cause abnormal spotting or bleeding in between menstrual periods. According to Oxford University Research, the presence of a sexually transmitted infection like Chlamydia, doubled the likelihood of the woman in their study reporting adverse premenstural symptoms. These include headaches, cramps and sadness towards the end of their cycle, as well as heightened sensitivity throughout it20.
Recommended Reading: How Can A Female Get Chlamydia
How To Treat Chlamydia
This article was medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD. Dr. Windham is a board certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Tennessee. She attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and completed her residency at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2010, where she was awarded the Most Outstanding Resident in Maternal Fetal Medicine, Most Outstanding Resident in Oncology, and Most Outstanding Resident Overall.There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 137,194 times.
Experts say chlamydia often causes no symptoms at first, so you may not even realize you have it. Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, and you can contract it during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source Research suggests that untreated chlamydia may increase your risk of contracting other infections, having an ectopic pregnancy, or becoming infertile.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source Fortunately, chlamydia is a curable condition, so it’s possible to make a full recovery with the right treatment.
Youre Not Immune To Chlamydia Once Youve Had It
Once youve had some diseases, you cant catch them again. Unfortunately, this isnt true for chlamydia. Repeat chlamydia infections are common.
If youve had chlamydia in the past, you have no immunity against the infection. If youre sexually active with somebody who has the infection, you could catch it again. Since reinfection is common, you should get tested for chlamydia about three months after being treated for the infection.
Also Check: What’s The Difference Between Gonorrhea And Chlamydia
Successful Metronidazole Treatment Of Bv May Permit More Women To Clear Ct Infection
Caldwell et al. hypothesized that a BV coinfection could allow Ct to escape natural eradication in vivo . We therefore determined if a BV diagnosis at the Ct treatment visit would predict Ct persistence. No significant difference was noted between Ct clearers and non-clearers when BV status at the Ct treatment visit was classified BV-Amsel or BV-Nugent , ). We next determined if there were differences between Ct clearers and non-clearers when this was classified by a successful BV treatment response, using the following criteria: Metronidazole treatment prescribed at the screening visit, documented adherence to treatment, and successfully resolution of BV by Nugent or Amsel criteria at the Ct treatment visit. However, BV treatment responders were no more common in Ct clearers than in non-clearers either by BV-Amsel or BV-Nugent .
Over One In Five Women In A New Orleans Sti Clinic Cohort Naturally Clear C Trachomatis Between Their Ct Screening And Ct Treatment
Research samples from 55 women returning to the clinic for Ct treatment for a recently diagnosed Ct infection were analyzed. Twenty-seven were assessed for BV-Amsel at their Ct screening visit 20 were positive , 19 were prescribed metronidazole or metronidazole gel treatment per CDC guidelines and 18 were adherent 7 were BV-Amsel negative. The remaining 28 women were either not assessed or assessed by partial Amsel criteria for BV-Amsel at the Ct screening visit in the latter group 9/28 were symptomatic for BV and therefore metronidazole treated for presumptive BV and 7 were adherent . The cohort was predominantly young and African American with half documenting a previous Ct infection .
Figure 1 Study design. At the Ct screening visit, BV-positive was defined as an Amsel score of 3 of 4 by clinical assessment. All patients who were BV-Amsel positive after a full BV screen , or who were symptomatic for BV but with partial Amsel assessment , were prescribed metronidazole. All were compliant. For the Ct-treatment visit, when participants were enrolled, BV-positive was defined as a Nugent score of 7-10 by Gram stain. Abbreviations: MTZ, metronidazole AZI, azithromycin.
Recommended Reading: Can Chlamydia Cause Stomach Pain
Treatment Of Babies Infected With Chlamydia During Delivery
In infants, the decision regarding the type of treatment and when to commence, it will depend on the type of infection present.
Conjunctivitis will be treated after a positive diagnostic test. Pneumonia will be treated based on the symptoms until diagnostic tests offer confirmation that the illness is caused by C. trachomatis.
Antibiotics will be administered accordingly. It is important to note that erythromycin or azithromycin are associated with an increased risk of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis . This is more prevalent when these medications are administered to infants younger than two weeks of age. IHPS is a condition in which the opening between the stomach and small intestine thickens. This thickening can cause a complete obstruction that leads to forceful vomiting. A doctor will discuss these risks along with what to look out for in cases where he/she deems this necessary.
In most cases, chlamydial infections are effectively treated with these antibiotics. Follow-ups to confirm that the treatment has been effective are necessary.
Collection And Processing Of Clinical Specimens
Genital secretions were collected at the Ct treatment visit using protocols similar to those we previously described . In brief, endocervical sampling included a cervical cytobrush Dacron swab immersed in endocervical transport medium and endocervical swab for Ct and N. gonorrhoeae NAAT testing. Vaginal sampling included a Copan Swab placed in 5 ml AssayAssure cotton swab for pH and wet mount cotton swab used for slide preparation and 3 ml sterile saline cervicovaginal lavage which was immediately supplemented with a protease inhibitor tablet . All samples were immediately placed on ice after collection and processed within 2 hours, after which they were stored in appropriate aliquots at -80°C until analysis.
You May Like: How Much Antibiotics To Cure Chlamydia
Is Treatment Always Necessary For Chlamydia
Yes, treatment is necessary for chlamydia, particularly in women of childbearing age, because it reduces the risk of chlamydia-associated ectopic pregnancy, fertility problems, and the transmission of chlamydia to neonates during birth. In women, of all ages, chlamydia treatment reduces the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease.
In men, treatment for chlamydia stops them from infecting or reinfecting sexual partners with the bacteria.
Treat any person testing positive for chlamydia with a recommended course of antibiotics promptly. Delays in treatment have been associated with complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease.
Amazing Health Benefits Of Keeping An Aquarium
To get quick recovery, the patient should use these home remedies as well with the prescribed medicines suggested by the doctor. If you have found that you have tried positive for chlamydia, these home solutions for chlamydia will empower you to have a compelling treatment and speedy recuperation.
Following are the nine major home remedies suggested to the patients for treating chlamydia:
Also Check: What Antibiotics Are For Chlamydia
What Happens If I Get Chlamydia When I’m Pregnant
- Chlamydia during pregnancy has been associated in very rare cases with problems such as premature birth, and infection of the uterus lining after the birth.
- It can be passed to the baby during the birth and before the baby is born. This can cause inflammation and discharge in the babys eye and/or pneumonia.
- You may be offered a chlamydia test as part of your antenatal care.
- Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics when youre pregnant and when youre breastfeeding. The antibiotics wont harm the baby, but do tell the doctor or nurse that youre pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Youll be advised to have another test after you complete your treatment.
How Do You Get Chlamydia
Chlamydia is spread through engaging in vaginal, anal, oral sex with an infected person. The infection can be transmitted even if a male partner does not ejaculate .
Pregnant women with untreated Chlamydia can also pass the infection to their babies during delivery. Chlamydia in newborns can manifest as severe eye infections or lung infections.
You May Like: Can Uti Meds Clear Up Chlamydia
Chlamydia Can Sometimes Go Away On Its Own
Some diseases and infections can go away on their own, so its not surprising that people wonder: does chlamydia go away on its own? The truth is, it sometimes does. In about 20% of people who have no symptoms, chlamydia may resolve spontaneously without treatment. It means that under certain circumstances host immune responses can control chlamydia naturally.
Untreated chlamydia can go on without any symptoms for a long period of time. Thats why its so important to get tested and catch it early. When chlamydia isnt treated, it can cause a number of serious complications. In women, the infection can spread to the uterus and uterine tubes, while in men, it can spread to the prostate gland. Chlamydia can also cause reactive arthritis, which affects your joints and eyes.
When chlamydia isnt treated, it can cause a number of serious complications.
Some people claim that chlamydia can be treated with home remedies like garlic and turmeric, but these methods are unproven and should be avoided. The only proven cure for chlamydia is treatment with antibiotics, which usually clear up the infection in a week or two.
How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed
The most common test for chlamydia is called a nucleic acid amplification test . Your provider takes a sample of fluid by doing a vaginal/cervical swab or collecting a urine sample. Then, they send the sample off to a lab to check for the bacteria that causes chlamydia. Your provider may do the test in an office, or they may ask you to do an at-home chlamydia test. Follow your providers instructions carefully to ensure you get accurate test results.
Because most chlamydia cases are asymptomatic, its important to get screened for chlamydia even if you dont notice any signs of infection. The CDC recommends that sexually active cisgender women who are high-risk for chlamydia get screened regularly. Women, more so than men, experience the most severe complications from chlamydia. Transgender men and nonbinary individuals with vaginas should be screened regularly, too, as they can experience the same complications of chlamydia.
Youre considered high-risk if you:
- Are under 25.
- Have had chlamydia infections previously.
Cisgender men, or trans and nonbinary individuals with penises, should be screened for chlamydia if:
- They live in a setting where chlamydia spreads frequently, like correctional facilities, adolescent clinics and sexual health clinics.
- They have sex with other men.
Recommended Reading: Signs Of Chlamydia In Mouth
How To Avoid Getting A Sexually Transmitted Disease
- Get checked out regularly – visit your local GUM clinic where you can get tested for the sexually transmitted disease.
- Make sure condoms are used – they provide a barrier, preventing infections from spreading.
- Restrict the number of partners you have – if you have many sexual encounters you increase your chances of getting an infection.
- If you or your partner feel any discomfort in the genital area – avoid intercourse.
How Is Chlamydia Screening Done
A person can test for chlamydia at home or in the lab. They can take either a urine sample or a swab.
- Females can take a swab, place it in a container, and send it to a laboratory.
- Males will usually use a urine test.
A doctor can advise individuals on the best option. They may also recommend rectal or throat testing, especially for people who are living with HIV.
Home screening tests are available, but it is not always easy to do them correctly at home. A healthcare provider will usually recommend following up on any home tests by visiting a doctors office.
The person will likely need to provide a urine sample for a test to confirm a diagnosis. After treatment, they will need to retake the test to ensure that the treatment has worked.
If anyone wishes to try home testing, chlamydia screening test kits are available for purchase online.
Don’t Miss: If My Girlfriend Has Chlamydia Do I
How Will I Know If I Have Chlamydia
You can only be certain you have chlamydia if you have a test.
Anyone can get chlamydia. Youre more likely to have it if youre under 25, have a new sexual partner, or more than one sexual partner in the last year, and if you havent used condoms.
You should have a test if:
- you, or a partner, have or think you might have symptoms
- youve recently had sex without a condom with a new partner
- you, or a partner, have had sex without a condom with other partners
- during a vaginal examination, your doctor or nurse says that the cervix is inflamed and/or theres an unusual discharge
- a sexual partner tells you they have a sexually transmitted infection
- you have another STI.
If you live in England, and youre a woman who is under 25 and sexually active, its recommended that you have a chlamydia test when you change sexual partner and once a year.
If youre a man who is under 25 and sexually active, its recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year if you are not using condoms with new or casual partners.
You could still have chlamydia even if a partner has tested negative. The only way to make sure you dont have chlamydia is to get tested yourself.
If you have chlamydia, youll be encouraged to be tested for other STIs as you can have more than one STI at the same time.
What Happens If I Get Chlamydia When Im Pregnant
- Chlamydia during pregnancy has been associated in very rare cases with problems such as premature birth, and infection of the uterus lining after the birth.
- It can be passed to the baby during the birth and before the baby is born. This can cause inflammation and discharge in the babys eye and/or pneumonia.
- You may be offered a chlamydia test as part of your antenatal care.
- Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics when youre pregnant and when youre breastfeeding. The antibiotics wont harm the baby, but do tell the doctor or nurse that youre pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Youll be advised to have another test after you complete your treatment.
Dont Miss: How Long Until Chlamydia Goes Away
Don’t Miss: I Have Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
Can You Get Chlamydia Without Being Sexually Active
Some infants are infected with C. trachomatis, the bacteria that causes Chlamydia at birth. Apart from this, you cannot become infected without performing a sexual act. Penetrative sex is not the only way a person becomes infected. You may also contract Chlamydia through contact with an infected person’s sexual fluids .
How To Prevent Chlamydia
Chlamydia, much like every other sexually transmitted disease can be prevented by a number of safety measures. If you are wondering how one can actually prevent from contracting this disease, you dont really have to do much. It is just all about safety and awareness that can help keep this disease in check.
Don’t Miss: Can I Take Antibiotics For Chlamydia Without Being Tested
How Accurate Are The Tests
The accuracy of a chlamydia test depends on the kind of test used and the type of sample thats collected. The recommended tests are over 95% accurate in picking up chlamydia. As no test is 100% accurate theres a small chance that the test will give a negative result when you do have chlamydia. This is known as a false negative result. This can sometimes explain why you might get a different result from another test or why you and a partner might get a different test result.
Its possible for the test to be positive if you havent got chlamydia, but this is rare.
Donât Miss: How Long After Chlamydia Treatment Are You Contagious
Biomedical Phytochemical Groups And Anti
There are diverse biochemical compounds which are present in natural materials and which have been shown to have applications in traditional and modern medicine. However, many of the medicinal effects of plants that are commonly discussed in terms of plant based biomedicine are derived from plant secondary metabolites. These can be categorized into the major phytochemical groups of quinones, flavonoids, polyphenols and tannins, coumarins, terpenoids and essential oils, alkaloids, lectins and polypeptides, glycosides, and saponins . Each group is defined by a similar chemical structure and exhibits similar mechanisms of typical anti-infective activity . It is important to note that these diverse secondary metabolites and other bioactive compounds exhibit a wide range of mechanisms for inhibiting microbial growth and that in complex natural materials there exist a plethora of compounds which may work synergistically together. It is these kinds of multi-compound formulations with singular compound synergies that have the potential for potent antimicrobial activity and a reduction in the development of microbial resistance.
With respect to plant based secondary metabolite compounds with antichlamydial effects the only studies available investigate the activity and properties of phenols and flavonoids. Of the various other bioactive compounds known to exhibit antimicrobial properties, lipids and peptides have also been investigated with respect to antichlamydial activity.
Also Check: How Soon Can I Test For Chlamydia