How Is Chlamydia Transmitted
Sex without a condom or other barrier method and oral sex without a barrier method are the main ways a chlamydia infection can be transmitted.
Newborn babies can acquire chlamydia from their mother during birth. Most prenatal testing includes a chlamydia test, but it doesnt hurt to double-check with an OB-GYN during the first prenatal checkup.
A chlamydia infection in the eye can occur through oral or genital contact with the eyes, but this isnt common.
- bleeding from this area
Having oral sex with someone who has the infection raises the risk of getting chlamydia in the throat. Symptoms can include a sore throat, cough, or fever. Its also possible to carry bacteria in the throat and not know it.
Causes And Risk Factors
Chlamydia is an STI caused by a specific strain of bacteria known as Chlamydia trachomatis.
Chlamydia is more common in women than in men. In fact, its estimated that the overall rate of infection is for women than men in the United States.
Some of the other risk factors for infection include:
- not using barrier methods like condoms consistently with new sexual partners
- having a sexual partner who is having sex with other people
- having a history of chlamydia or other STIs
How To Treat Oral Chlamydia
Oral chlamydia is treated in the same way as other chlamydia infections: with antibiotics. The CDC recommends:
- Doxycycline two times a day for seven days
Alternative treatments include:
- Azithromycin in a single dose
- Levofloxacin once a day for seven days
A single dose of azithromycin may be the simplest way to treat chlamydia. However, people have developed resistance to this antibiotic, whereas doxycycline has a nearly 100% cure rate.
After being diagnosed with a chlamydia infection, all sexual partners need to be told and treated as well. You should also refrain from having any sex for seven days after completing treatment.
Chlamydia is easily treated and cured, but you can get chlamydia again. If you are sexually active, it is essential to test for sexually transmitted infections regularly.
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Summary Of Recommendations And Evidence
The USPSTF recommends screening for chlamydia in sexually active women aged 24 years or younger and in older women who are at increased risk for infection . B recommendation.
Screening for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Clinical Summary of the USPSTF Recommendation
Population
note: For a summary of the evidence systematically reviewed in making this recommendation, the full recommendation statement, and supporting documents, go to .
HIV = human immunodeficiency virus STI = sexually transmitted infection USPSTF = U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Screening for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Clinical Summary of the USPSTF Recommendation
Population
note: For a summary of the evidence systematically reviewed in making this recommendation, the full recommendation statement, and supporting documents, go to .
HIV = human immunodeficiency virus STI = sexually transmitted infection USPSTF = U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
The USPSTF recommends screening for gonorrhea in sexually active women aged 24 years or younger and in older women who are at increased risk for infection. B recommendation.
See the Clinical Considerations section for a description of populations at increased risk for infection.
The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in men. I statement.
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Diagnosis And Management Of Gonococcal Infections
MEJEBI T. MAYOR, MD, JD, Providence Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia
MICHELLE A. ROETT, MD, MPH, Georgetown University/Providence Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, Colmar Manor, Maryland
KELECHI A. UDUHIRI, MD, MPH, MS, Franklin Square Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, Baltimore, Maryland
Am Fam Physician. 2012 Nov 15 86:931-938.
Patient information: See related handout on gonorrhea, written by the authors of this article.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , approximately 700,000 new cases of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection occur annually in the United States, making it the second most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection after Chlamydia trachomatis.1 Reported rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea are highest among females 15 to 19 years of age.1 Incarcerated women younger than 35 years also exhibit high rates of infection.2
SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
The USPSTF recommends that all newborns receive ocular topical medication for prophylaxis against gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum.
CDC = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention USPSTF = U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
A = consistent, good-quality patient-oriented evidence B = inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence C = consensus, disease-oriented evidence, usual practice, expert opinion, or case series. For information about the SORT evidence rating system, go to .
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Deterrence And Patient Education
Asymptomatic infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is very common, whereas the consequences of undiagnosed or untreated infection can be far-reaching. It is for these reasons that screening is recommended. All pregnant women are recommended to be screened for C. trachomatis. All sexually active females younger than 25 should be screened annually. Women older than 25 should be screened if they have risk factors for sexually transmitted infections. Risk factors include sexual partners with multiple concurrent partners, new or multiple sexual partners, inconsistent use of condoms if the relationship is not monogamous, exchanging sex for money or drugs, or previous/coexisting STI. Men who have sex with men should also be screened for chlamydial infection. In individuals with HIV, screening should be done at the initial presentation and annually. For individuals entering a correctional facility, it is recommended to screen for chlamydia in women 35 years old or younger and men thirty years old or younger.
In the United States, C. trachomatis is considered a notifiable infection. Local and state laws regarding disease reporting apply. Sexual partners should be notified, examined, and treated if an STI is found in the index patient. Expedited partner therapy may also be available in certain settings. Expedited partner therapy allows providers to prescribe antibiotics to sexual contacts without establishing a physician-patient relationship.
Alternative Treatment In Case Of Penicillins Or Cephalosporins Allergy Or Cephalosporins And/or Macrolides Resistance
In case of documented allergy to penicillins/cephalosporins or resistance to macrolides, refer to the alternative treatment recommendations for adults and youth below.
Cephalosporins allergy or resistance or severe non-IgE-mediated reaction to penicillins
Azithromycin 2 g in a single oral dose PLUS gentamicin 240 mg IM in two separate 3-mL injections of 40 mg/mL solution Footnote 28
Notes:
- This combination therapy is not recommended in pregnancy
- Gentamicin alternative route of administration: 240 mg IV infused over 30 minutes may be considered when the IM route is not feasible.
Quinolone treatment regimens
This combination therapy/regimen should only be used if quinolone susceptibility is demonstrated or regional/local quinolone resistance rates are under 5% and a TOC can be assuredFootnote 29Footnote 3.
- Azithromycin 2 g in a single oral dose PLUS ciprofloxacin 500 mg in a single oral dose Footnote 21Footnote 30Footnote 31Footnote 32
- Azithromycin 2 g in a single oral dose PLUS gemifloxacin 320 mg in a single oral dose Footnote 28
Notes:
- This combination therapy is not recommended in pregnancy
- At the time of publication, gemifloxacin is not available on the Canadian market. Once available in the United States, it will be made accessible through Health Canada’s Special Access Program
Contraindications to macrolides and cephalosporins
Notes:
Resistance to both cephalosporin and azithromycin with failure or contraindications to previously noted regimens
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Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Symptoms
The symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhea overlap, so it can be difficult to differentiate between the two unless you visit your healthcare provider or take a test for chlamydia or gonorrhea.
The overlapping symptoms for chlamydia and gonorrhea in men and women include:
- A burning sensation during urination
- Abnormal genital or rectal discharge
- Pain in the rectum
With both chlamydia or gonococcal infections , men might also experience swelling and pain in the testicles and/or scrotum.
In women, both a gonorrhea and chlamydia infection might be mistaken for a yeast infection. Women may also experience painful periods, bleeding between periods, pain during sex, or abdominal pain.
Although the symptoms overlap, the discharge caused by chlamydia vs. gonorrhea can vary slightly. For a chlamydia infection, a womanâs vaginal discharge might have a strong odor and yellowish tint. Men might have a cloudy or clear discharge. With gonorrhea, both women and men may experience green, yellow, or white discharge.
If youâre a woman experiencing abnormal vaginal discharge or a man with abnormal penile discharge, be sure to consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible as this is a common sign of an infection.
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What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your bodys response to ceftriaxone injection.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking ceftriaxone injection.
If you are diabetic and test your urine for sugar, use Clinistix or TesTape to test your urine while taking this medication.
Ceftriaxone injection may interfere with certain home blood glucose tests. If you test your blood glucose levels, check the instructions of your blood glucose monitoring system to see if ceftriaxone injection will affect your system. You may need to use a different method to test your glucose levels while you are receiving ceftriaxone injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
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Prevention And Management Considerations
Appropriate treatment is of paramount importance for existing gonococcal infections, but preventive measures must also be considered and discussed with the patient. Obtaining an accurate sexual history from the patient is vital. Although it is sometimes uncomfortable to do so, the healthcare provider and the patient must have a frank discussion about the patients sexual behavior.11 The CDC emphasizes the use of a sexually transmitted infection and HIV risk assessment in counseling high-risk patients. This may be accomplished by use of the Five Ps, which are detailed, open-ended questions designed to elicit more information about a patients sexual partners, sexual practices, pregnancy prevention, STI protection, and past history of STIs.1 The Five Ps method fosters an open conversation between the healthcare provider and patient for a better understanding of the patients risk profile. After risk assessment, individualized counseling based on responses may be undertaken.
Because males with a gonococcal infection often are asymptomatic, they may remain undiagnosed for an extended period of time, which makes prevention a key priority in high-risk male populations. Consistent use of male condoms should be recommended to all patients.1
Get Retested Following Treatment
Many people have more than one chlamydia infection. If youre a girl or woman and your sex partners are not treated for the infection, you will be at high risk for reinfection. Repeated infections with chlamydia make it much more likely that your ability to have children will be affected. Repeated infections also raise your risk of painful complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease.
Both women and men with chlamydia should be retested about three months after they are first diagnosed and treated. Go to be retested even if you think your sex partners were successfully treated.
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Male Difficulties Of Unattended Chlamydia
Male can also experience problems when chlamydia is left neglected. The epididymis television that holds the testicles in place might come to be irritated, creating discomfort. This is called epididymitis.
The infection can also infect the prostate gland, causing a fever, uncomfortable sexual intercourse, and pain in the reduced back. An additional feasible complication is male chlamydial urethritis.
These are simply several of the most typical issues of unattended chlamydia, which is why it is very important to obtain medical interest as soon as possible. Most people who get therapy swiftly have no long-term clinical issues. Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
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Hi there, Im Melissa and welcome to Genier. Im not ashamed to admit that Ive dealt with an STD before and recovered. It was not a pleasant experience but Im glad I got myself tested. If theres one message that you can take away from my site is get tested today! Stay safe.
Put Sex On Hold During And After Chlamydia Treatment
If you were given a single dose of antibiotics to treat your chlamydia, you should not have any kind of sex for a full seven days after the day you took the medicine. If youre taking antibiotics for a week, wait another seven days after the last day of your treatment. Be sure to take all of the medicine that is prescribed for you.
Not having sex for seven days after treatment is complete is important so you dont spread the infection to your partner or partners.
Medication stops the infection and can keep you from spreading the disease, but it wont cure any permanent damage that the infection caused before you started treatment. In women, such damage can include blocking the fallopian tubes, causing infertility.
If you still have symptoms for more than a few days after you stop taking your medicine, go back to see your doctor or other healthcare provider so they can check you again.
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Chlamydia Symptoms In Women
Chlamydia is often known as the silent infection. Thats because people with chlamydia may not experience symptoms at all.
If a woman contracts the STI, it may take several weeks before any symptoms appear.
Some of the most common symptoms of chlamydia in women include:
- painful sexual intercourse
In some women, the infection can spread to the fallopian tubes, which may cause a condition called pelvic inflammatory disease . PID is a medical emergency.
The symptoms of PID are:
- abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods
Chlamydia can also infect the rectum. Women may not experience symptoms if they have a chlamydia infection in the rectum. If symptoms of a rectal infection do occur, however, they may include rectal pain, discharge, and bleeding.
Additionally, women can develop a throat infection if they have oral sex with someone with the infection. Though its possible to contract it without knowing it, symptoms of a chlamydia infection in your throat include cough, fever, and sore throat.
The symptoms of STIs in men and women can be different, so its important to talk with a healthcare professional if you experience any of the above symptoms.
How Often Should I Get Tested For Gonorrhea
The CDC recommends that all people assigned female at birth who are sexually active and under 25 get tested for gonorrhea each year. Regardless of sex, you may need to get tested annually if youre considered high risk for contracting gonorrhea. Your risk factors include your age and sexual activity. Factors like how common gonorrhea is in the area you live in are also important.
Talk to your healthcare provider about how often you should get tested based on your risk.
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I Tested Positive For Chlamydia Or Gonorrhea Now What
Your results are in. The word positive seems to scream back at you from the pages of your lab report, sending your heart pounding and your mind racing: youve just been diagnosed with gonorrhea or chlamydia. Finding out you have one of these sexually transmitted infections can bring up a rollercoaster of emotions. You might experience feelings of shock, confusion, embarrassment, shame, or general worry about your health or the health of your partners. While these emotions are understandable, its important to know that both gonorrhea and chlamydia are extremely common and treatable. In fact, chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most common STIs in the U.S. So if youve recently been diagnosed with either of these STIs, youre not alone. Your healthcare provider can help you navigate STI treatment and help you get your health back on track. Heres what you need to know about a chlamydia or gonorrhea diagnosis.
Clinical Signs And Symptoms
Many genital gonococcal infections are asymptomatic however, these infections are more likely to be symptomatic in men than in women.5 Male urogenital symptoms include signs of urethritis or epididymitis, such as dysuria or unilateral testicular swelling.5 Males with extragenital infections of the rectum are often asymptomatic, but patients may present with signs of proctitis, such as constipation, rectal pain, and rectal bleeding.5 Those with pharyngeal gonococcal infections are usually asymptomatic, but if symptoms are present, they may include sore throat and pharyngeal exudates.5
Symptoms of N gonorrhoeae often prompt men to seek medical attention prior to the development of complications, but not soon enough to prevent transmission to other people. Most women remain asymptomatic until the development of complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease.1
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Who Is At Risk And How Can They Prevent It
To prevent contracting either of these infections, a person should use barrier methods, such as condoms, and get tested regularly.
Even when they do not cause any symptoms, these infections can cause complications.
If a person does not seek treatment for gonorrhea, for example, there may be a of contracting HIV. They may also contract disseminated gonococcal infections.
Sti Are Often Asymptomatic Screen For One Sti Screen For All
Screening: Early STI detection in asymptomatic individualsFootnote
Chlamydia trachomatis AND Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Image 1 depicts a flow chart of the different specimens and laboratory tests that may be used for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae screening. First void urine samples can be tested for CT and NG using Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing . Urethral, vaginal or cervical swabs can be tested for CT and NG using NAAT and/or culture for NG. Rectal or pharyngeal swabs can be tested for CT and NG using NAAT, if available, and/or culture.
Tips
- Nucleic Acid Amplification Test is highly sensitive and the test of choice when screening asymptomatic individuals for CT and NG
- Preferred specimens for NAAT are first void urine or self-collected vaginal swab
- Check with your laboratory for the availability of NAAT for rectal and pharyngeal specimens
Syphilis
- Testing algorithms may vary by province and territory
Offer HIV testing when screening for other STIFootnote
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