Lifecycle Of Chlamydia Trachomatis
Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, which enters the body during sexual contact through the urethra, rectum, or mouth. Most people with chlamydia dont know they have it. In fact, about 75 percent of women and 50 percent of men show no symptoms.
For this reason, chlamydia spreads easily and may be unknowingly passed to sexual partners. When chlamydia symptoms do occur, they are usually noticeable within one to three weeks of contact.
Although symptoms may disappear after a few weeks, if left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious complications. In women, the bacteria can spread through the reproductive system, causing pelvic inflammatory disease, peritonitis, and other infections that can lead to infertility or complications during pregnancy.
How Is Chlamydia Spread
You can get chlamydia by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has chlamydia.
If your sex partner is male you can still get chlamydia even if he does not ejaculate .
If youve had chlamydia and were treated in the past, you can still get infected again. This can happen if you have unprotected sex with someone who has chlamydia.
How Can Chlamydia Be Prevented
Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of getting or giving chlamydia.53 The surest way to avoid chlamydia is to abstain from vaginal, anal, and oral sex, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.
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Prevention And Treatment Of Chlamydia
The most effective way to avoid infection is to abstain from sex. Using condoms also reduces the chances of getting chlamydia and many other STDs. You should also use condoms when having oral sex. The female condom is designed for women to insert into their vaginas or anus in order to protect from sexually transmitted infections. Use a traditional condom on the penis before intercourse or before performing oral sex on a man.
Keeping a regular testing schedule is the best way to be absolutely sure of your sexual health. However, once you complete treatment, youre still not finished. Re-testing is highly recommended. You should always be tested again roughly three months after your initial treatment, even if your sex partner was also treated. Remember, regular testing is better than ignoring a potential problem and having the untreated infection cause more health problems.
Can Women Who Have Sex With Women Get Chlamydia
Yes. It is possible to get chlamydia, or any other STI, if you are a woman who has sex only with women. Chlamydia lives in the reproductive tract of an infected woman and can pass to a sex partner, whether male or female.
Talk to your partner about her sexual history before having sex, and ask your doctor or nurse for an STI test if you are at risk.
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How Long Can You Have Chlamydia Without Symptoms
Even after an infection, the symptoms of this may not be visible for varying periods from one week to three weeks. In some cases the symptoms may not be visible for even months and during this period the infection grows silently in your body. Due to this, Chlamydia is also called as a silent infection. So it is always good to get the testing done for this bacterium if you have reason to believe that you have the infection or your sexual partner had the infection and you indulged in unprotected oral, anal or vaginal sex with him.
What Are The Signs Of Chlamydia In Men
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by chlamydia trachomatis, which is a microscopic bacterium. Many people who are infected with the disease have little to no symptoms, which is why it is sometimes known as the silent disease. It is estimated that up to half of men with chlamydia have no idea that they are carrying it.
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I Would Like To Be Tested
At Options for Women, we offer free and confidential STI-Testing. No strings attached! If a test comes back positive, then we can cover the cost for you to pick up the prescription at the local pharmacy. Our testing is a simple urine sample. Results will be available within three business days. Once you are given your results you have the option to talk to a Nurse to get your medical questions answered.
Finally, if you would like more details about Chlamydia or would like your question answered you may visit us at optionsforwomenrf.com/sti-and-std-testing/. Interested in scheduling an appointment? Schedule an appointment at optionsforwomenrf.com/appointment/ or call us at 425-8539. Get tested, get informed, get peace of mind!
- 19 September 2019
Can Chlamydia Be Cured
Yes, chlamydia can be cured with the right treatment. It is important that you take all of the medication your doctor prescribes to cure your infection. When taken properly it will stop the infection and could decrease your chances of having complications later on. You should not share medication for chlamydia with anyone.
Repeat infection with chlamydia is common. You should be tested again about three months after you are treated, even if your sex partner was treated.
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Causes And Risk Factors Of Chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. These bacteria attack the cells of your bodys mucous membranes the soft, moist tissues of your body that arent covered by skin.
Here are areas of the body where mucous membranes are possible targets for chlamydia infection:
- Vagina, cervix, and fallopian tubes in women
- Urethra in women and men
- Anus and rectum
- Lining of the eyelid
- Throat
Although the bacteria that cause chlamydia can reach the uterus, Chlamydia doesnt attack the uterus itself, because a woman gets her period every month, and cells inside it are sloughed off, says Dr. Rabin.
But the fallopian tubes which connect the ovaries and uterus do not clean themselves regularly, so theyre vulnerable to attack and lasting damage caused by the bacteria.
Chlamydia can be spread through any sexual contact, with or without ejaculation.
Get Checked At Urgent Care
If you or your partner show any signs of chlamydia, you should seek medical care, especially if youre pregnant and this goes for any STD!
At GoHealth Urgent Care, STD testing includes a physical exam, as well as blood and urine tests. In some cases, the doctor will use a swab to collect a sample from the affected area.
Even if youre not experiencing symptoms of an STD, you should get tested if youve had unprotected sex or if youre sexually active and not in a mutually monogamous relationship.
Women under 25 are especially vulnerable to chlamydia, so its important for them to get checked annually at their well-woman visit. Pregnant women should be tested for chlamydia regardless of their sexual history.
If youd like to get an STD test at GoHealth Urgent Care if only for peace of mind use the dropdown menu below to find a location near you and check-in online. Youll be glad you didnt wait.
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How Is It Contracted
Chlamydia is transmitted primarily through sexual activity. The following are the most common ways:
- unprotected intercourse with an infected partner
- oral sex, although a less common cause of infection as bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis targets the genital area rather than the throat. Although it is possible theoretically, the cases of infestation from mouth-to-penis and penis-to-mouth contact are rare
- vagina, cervix, anus, penis or mouth contacting infected secretions or fluids which means that contraction can occur even if the penis or tongue does not enter the vagina or anus
- bacteria can travel from the vaginal area to the anus or rectum of women while wiping with toilet paper
- sharing sex toys
- from mother to the newborn during vaginal childbirth through the infected birth channel
- infection can be transferred on fingers from the genitals to other parts of the body
Chlamydia is not contracted through simple kissing, handshaking, any casual contacts, sharing baths, towels and cups as well as from toilet seats.
Chlamydia trachomatis, an obligate intracellular human pathogen, is one of four bacterial species in the genus Chlamydia. 3D illustration
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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Chlamydia Symptoms In Men
Up to half of all men with chlamydia experience no symptoms. When men do have signs or symptoms, they may be minor and may include one or more of the following:
- Pain or burning while urinating
- An abnormal discharge from the penis, which may be pus or a watery or milky fluid
- Painful discharge or bleeding from the anus
- Inflamed eyelids
- Painful or swollen testicles
What Measures Can I Take To Prevent These Conditions
The only way that you can completely prevent yourself from catching chlamydia, gonorrhea, or another STI is by abstaining from sexual activity.
But there are also plenty of ways you can reduce your risk of contracting or transmitting these infections:
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Racial Disparity And Chlamydia
The prevalence of chlamydia is drastically different across racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Overall, Black, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander women have the highest rates of chlamydia, according to the CDC.
In 2017, the reported rate of chlamydia in Black Americans was 5.6 times the rate of white Americans. Among Native Americans and Alaska Natives, this number was 3.7, and for Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, it was 3.4. Hispanic Americans were 1.9 times as likely to have chlamydia as white Americans, while Asian Americans were only 0.6 times as likely.
Among young women ages 14 to 24, the CDC estimates that the prevalence of chlamydia is about 10 percent for Mexican Americans, and about 8 percent for Black girls and women. This number is only about 2 percent for non-Hispanic white girls and women.
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 , like birth control pills, shots, implants, or , 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. removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that protects you from infection. This may increase your risk of getting STIs.
- 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.
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms
Signs and symptoms differ slightly between men and women, but are not always present.
Signs and symptoms of Chlamydia for men include:
painful urination, burning and itching around the opening of the penis, pain and swelling around the testicles, small amounts of clear or cloudy discharge, and infertility.
Signs and symptoms of Chlamydia for women include:
painful urination, burning and itching in or around the vagina, bleeding between periods, painful periods, abnormal vaginal discharge that may have an odor, pain during intercourse, and infertility.
How Does Chlamydia Affect Pregnancy
For pregnant women, chlamydia may lead to premature birth, or babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Premature birth is the most common cause of infant death and can lead to long-term health and development problems in children.
Babies born to mothers who have chlamydia can get:
- Infections in their eyes, called conjunctivitis or pinkeye. Signs include discharge from the eyes and swollen eyelids. The signs most often show up within two weeks after birth.
- Pneumonia. Signs include congestion, cough, and rapid or labored breathing, although these are not always present. Signs most often show up one to three months after birth.
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How Do You Get Chlamydia
Chlamydia is usually passed on through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Chlamydia can be passed on through genital contact. This means you can get chlamydia from someone who has the infection if your genitals touch, even if you dont have sex or ejaculate .
You can also get chlamydia if you come into contact with infected semen or vaginal fluid, or get them in your eye.
Chlamydia cant be passed on through kissing, hugging, sharing towels or using the same toilet as someone with the infection.
Test Yourself For Chlamydia
Peace of mind is available, so get tested. You should get tested for chlamydia if you are sexually active, especially if you have multiple partners or are pregnant. Just as important as you getting tested is asking your partners to get tested as well. Get tested for chlamydia and other STDs with each new partner and to use protection until, and even after, test results are known. Your safety is important. By being informed, you can take steps to reduce your risk of getting chlamydia.
Testing for chlamydia may consist of a urine test, or swabbing the penis / vagina, and should include both an oral and anal screening, if there has been oral/anal contact during sex.
MyLAB Box offers an at home chlamydia + gonorrhea home test.
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Chlamydia Symptoms & Treatment
FAST FACTS
- Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that is normally passed on through sex without a condom or sharing sex toys with someone who has the infection.
- Using male or female condoms and dental dams during sex will help to protect you from getting chlamydia.
- Chlamydia is often symptomless however if left untreated it can lead to long-term health problems.
- Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics.
- Chlamydia can be passed on from mother to child during pregnancy, so its important for pregnant women to get tested.
How Do You Prevent Chlamydia
Using a new male or female condom or dental dam every time you have sex is the best way to protect against chlamydia.
Chlamydia can be passed on by sharing sex toys. Always cover sex toys with a new condom and wash them after use to reduce your risk of getting chlamydia and other STIs.
Its important to regularly test for chlamydia, even if you dont have any symptoms, especially if youve had multiple sexual partners.
The contraceptive pill and other types of contraception wont prevent you getting chlamydia, and neither will PrEP.
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When Can I Expect For Chlamydia Signs To Show Up
Chlamydia is a serious issue for both women and men. The majority of the infected experience no signs, which is why 70% of the women infected, and most men have no clue they carry it.
If the signs do show up, it will take 1 to 3 weeks after the patient has been exposed to the infection for the bacteria to manifest and produce symptoms. What most people dont know about is that every bacteria has an incubation period, chlamydia has one as well.
This period can vary for every individual. For example, for some individuals, the incubation period can last for a couple of days, so the first signs of the infection will start to develop just days after they have been exposed to the bacteria.
For others, it can take months for any signs to show, which means the incubation period lasts much longer, and the only way to know if that individual is infected with chlamydia is to get tested. But, on average, it takes 1 to 3 weeks after the person has been infected for any signs to show.