How Often Should I Get Checked For Chlamydia
Sexual health check-ups are recommended for anyone who is sexually active. Frequency of testing also depends on your STI risk:
- An annual sexual health check-up is highly recommended if you are sexually active especially if you are under 25.
- Get checked more often during the year if you frequently change sexual partners.
- Remember, you are at greater risk if you have sex without a condom with 1 or multiple sexual partners.
Chlamydia Symptoms In Women
Although both men and women are diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections in equal numbers, they are not affected equally. Women are more likely than men to experience long-term health complications from untreated STIs such as chlamydia, including infertility. Whats more, pregnant women can pass STIs to babies during pregnancy or childbirth.
Symptoms of chlamydia in women include the following:
- Abnormal vaginal discharge that may have an odor
- Bleeding between periods
How Long Can You Have Chlamydia Without Knowing
Chlamydia is sometimes called a silent infection because the majority of people who have chlamydia regardless of gender never notice symptoms. People who do notice symptoms often dont recognize the signs that they have chlamydia until a few weeks after theyve been infected. Because chlamydia cases are often asymptomatic, its easy to spread chlamydia to someone else without realizing it. And its easy to miss out on receiving the treatment needed to prevent the serious complications that can result from chlamydia.
Read Also: Does Chlamydia Make You Tired
What Does Chlamydia Infection Mean For My Health
Chlamydia can be treated and cured easily, but that doesnt mean that chlamydia infection isnt potentially dangerous. If chlamydia isnt diagnosed and left untreated, it can cause serious complications.
Untreated chlamydia infections in women may lead to:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease , a serious infection of the reproductive organs . Left untreated, PID can cause infertility , chronic pelvic pain, or ectopic pregnancy.
- Cystitis
- A condition called mucopurulent cervicitis, characterized by a yellow discharge from the cervix
Untreated chlamydia in men may lead to:
- Prostatitis
Essential Facts About Chlamydia
Chlamydia often causes no symptoms in the short term, but it can have serious health consequences if it goes untreated.
If youre sexually active, you should know about chlamydia, a common sexually transmitted bacterial infection. These 10 facts will bring you up to speed on whos at risk, why regular screening is so important, and how to avoid getting chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections .
Also Check: Does Garlic Get Rid Of Chlamydia
Other Complications Of Untreated Chlamydia In All People
- Conjunctivitis, spread by touching the infected area and then touching the hand to the eye
- Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the rectum , if the chlamydia is from anal sex
- Varied symptoms, such as joint and eye inflammation, caused by bacterial infection
- Lymphogranuloma venereum, or LGV. This is caused by a type of chlamydia that is usually rare in the United States, but it is becoming more common in men who have sex with men. It causes open sores in the genital area, headache, fever, fatigue, and swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin. It also causes proctitis in people who get chlamydia through anal sex.
Chlamydia Symptoms In Guy
Many guys do not notice the signs of chlamydia. The majority of males have no signs and symptoms in all.
If signs do show up, its typically 1 to 3 weeks after transmission.
Several of the most usual symptoms of chlamydia in guys consist of:
- burning experience during urination
- yellow or green discharge from the penis
- discomfort in the lower abdomen
- pain in the testicles
Its additionally feasible to obtain a chlamydia infection in the rectum. In this case, the major symptoms are often discharge, discomfort, and bleeding from this area.
Having oral sex with someone that has the infection elevates the threat of getting chlamydia in the throat. Signs and symptoms can include an aching throat, coughing, or high temperature. Its also feasible to carry germs in the throat as well as not know it. How Long Do Chlamydia Symptoms Take To Show Up
Also Check: When Do You Get Tested For Chlamydia
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.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Chlamydia
Not all women and men will show symptoms of the disease. About 70 percent of women and 50 percent of men will not show symptoms of chlamydia. Therefore, if you have had unprotected sexual intercourse then its important to get tested. Early diagnosis and treatment are important in infected women to prevent complications.
Read Also: Chlamydia Vs Yeast Infection Symptoms
Home Remedies For Chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by a bacterial infection. The only true cure for this type of infection is antibiotics.
But some alternative treatments may help ease symptoms. Its important to remember that untreated chlamydia can lead to long-term complications, including fertility problems and chronic inflammation.
Home remedies for chlamydia that may be effective include:
- Goldenseal.This medicinal plant may limit symptoms during an infection by reducing inflammation.
- Echinacea. This plant has been widely used to boost the immune system in order to help people overcome infections of many types, from the common cold to skin wounds. It may help reduce symptoms of chlamydia.
Although compounds in these plants might help to ease inflammation and infection in general, there arent any quality studies that show theyre effective specifically for chlamydia symptoms.
Ways To Prevent Chlamydia Infection
In case if you are infected with Chlamydia then it is important to take preventive steps to stop spreading it further to other sex partners. Always prefer to follow these tips for prevention:
Any genital chlamydia symptoms in men like burning sensation at the time of urination or discharge can cause unusual rashes or sore. It is the right symptom to stop sexual contact and visit your doctor immediately. In case your doctor immediately identifies presence of Chlamydia in your body then it is good to start treatment from the same day.
Let your past partners know about this disease and ask them to have test fast at a trusted medical clinic. As Chlamydia symptoms are rarely noticeable so it is important to stay aware and protected with proper Chlamydia cure.
Recommended Reading: Does Chlamydia Feel Like A Yeast Infection
How Can I Prevent Spreading Chlamydia
If you think you have chlamydia, the first thing you need to do is stop having sexual intercourse and get tested and treated. Ask your health care provider if you can get a prescription for your partner , or find out if your partner can be seen by a health care provider to get treated. Youll need to let all current and past sexual partners know that you have chlamydia . You may find this hard to do, but its very important so that those infected can get treated before more serious health problems occur.
You can let your sexual partner know in a couple of different ways:
- You can tell them face to face, over the phone, or via a text message.
- You can use an anonymous notification application, such as: an email from a reliable website such as bedsider.org. This website will send a confidential email card to your partner for free. Another website, inspot.org will send an anonymous text to your partner.
Research has shown that notifying your partner in real time or face to face is the best way to get your partner treated.
How Do Men Get Chlamydia
You can become infected with chlamydia by having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person. That is, when you dont use a condom while engaging in vaginal or anal sex, or a dam when performing oral sex on a female partner.
However, any genital contact with someone infected with chlamydia can put you at risk of infection it doesnt have to be penetrative sex. Sharing sex toys can also transfer the infection, as you could be exposed to infected semen or vaginal fluid from the previous user. In addition, infected fluid entering your eye can also result in infection.
Its important to note that you cant become infected through casual contact such as hugging or kissing. And sharing items like towels, cutlery, or even toilet seats doesnt place you at risk.
Also Check: Where Can You Get Tested For Chlamydia
Chlamydia In Men: Scientific Overview
In 30 seconds
One of the most common STIs in the UK, chlamydia is a bacterial infection thats passed on through contact with infected semen or vaginal fluid.
Symptoms of chlamydia in men include pain when you urinate, unusual discharge from the penis, and painful swollen testicles. However, up to 50% of men will have no symptoms at all.
Its quick and easy to get tested for chlamydia, and the infection is usually simple to treat in its early stages, with a course of antibiotics.
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection , transmitted by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis. Its the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection across the world, and its also one of the most common STIs in the UK. In 2018, nearly half the new STI diagnoses at sexual health services in England were diagnoses of chlamydia.
Chlamydia is most common among young people , but you can become infected at any age. The long-term health implications of untreated chlamydia are particularly severe for women, because their fertility can be affected and it can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. However, chlamydia can cause serious health problems for men too, if its not treated quickly.
Read on to find out more about how chlamydia affects men: How do men get chlamydia, what are the symptoms, how do you get tested, and how can chlamydia be treated? Well also look at the best ways to protect yourself from chlamydia.
What Are The Complications Of Chlamydia What If It Is Not Treated
Complications of untreated chlamydia include a significant number of women will develop pelvic inflammatory disease some women with pelvic inflammatory disease will develop a form of liver disease women may develop chronic pelvic pain and become sterile due to blockage of the Fallopian tubes that allow the egg to be transported from the ovary to the women’s womb.
More common in men, some may develop sexually acquired reactive arthritis or Reiter syndrome. Men may experience painful swelling of the testicles.
Recommended Reading: Does Azithromycin 250 Mg Treat Chlamydia
Just How Typical Is Chlamydia
In 2017, more than 1.7 million instances of chlamydia were reported to the Centers for Illness Control and also Avoidance . Lots of cases go unreported, so the real number of chlamydia infections every year may be closer to 3 million.
Men and women can both obtain the infection, however a lot more cases in females are reported.
Infection rates are greatest among more youthful women, with the greatest prices of infection happening in women between ages 15 as well as 24.
The CDC advises that all sexually active women ages 25 years as well as younger obtain screened for chlamydia yearly, as well as older women with risk aspects like multiple or brand-new companions.
Statistically, an individual is more probable to obtain an STI if theyve had sex with greater than one person. Other risk aspects include having had an STI in the past, or presently have an infection due to the fact that this might lower resistance.
Prices for chlamydia as well as other STIs have actually been climbing in recent times.
Im Pregnant How Does Chlamydia Affect My Baby
If you are pregnant and have chlamydia, you can pass the infection to your baby during delivery. This could cause an eye infection or pneumonia in your newborn. Having chlamydia may also make it more likely to deliver your baby too early.
If you are pregnant, you should get tested for chlamydia at your first prenatal visit. Testing and treatment are the best ways to prevent health problems.
Don’t Miss: At Home Chlamydia Urine Test
Symptoms Of Chlamydia In Men
One of the most significant challenges that come with diagnosing chlamydia, and other STIs, is that they typically present no symptoms. The presenting symptoms can also be mild that people ignore them or mistake them for other common conditions such as urinary tract infections .
In men who become symptomatic, chlamydia typically presents in the following ways:
Pain during urination Penile discharge Itchy genitals
Eye pain
Recommended Reading: How Soon Can You Treat Chlamydia
Chlamydia Signs And Symptoms In Women How Long Do Chlamydia Symptoms Take To Show Up
Chlamydia is often known as the quiet infection. Thats since individuals with chlamydia may not experience symptoms at all.
If a lady agreements the STI, it might take numerous weeks before any kind of signs and symptoms appear.
Some of the most typical symptoms of chlamydia in females consist of:
- uncomfortable intercourse
- pain in the reduced abdominal area
- inflammation of the cervix
- bleeding between periods
In some females, the infection can spread to the fallopian tubes, which might cause a problem called pelvic inflammatory illness .
Don’t Miss: How Do I Get Rid Of Chlamydia
Who Is At Risk For Chlamydia
Any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. It is a very common STD, especially among young people.3 It is estimated that 1 in 20 sexually active young women aged 14-24 years has chlamydia.5
Sexually active young people are at high risk of acquiring chlamydia for a combination of behavioral, biological, and cultural reasons. Some young people dont use condoms consistently.15 Some adolescents may move from one monogamous relationship to the next more rapidly than the likely infectivity period of chlamydia, thus increasing risk of transmission.16 Teenage girls and young women may have cervical ectopy .17 Cervical ectopy may increase susceptibility to chlamydial infection. The higher prevalence of chlamydia among young people also may reflect multiple barriers to accessing STD prevention services, such as lack of transportation, cost, and perceived stigma.16-20
Men who have sex with men are also at risk for chlamydial infection since chlamydia can be transmitted by oral or anal sex. Among MSM screened for rectal chlamydial infection, positivity has ranged from 3.0% to 10.5%.6.7 Among MSM screened for pharyngeal chlamydial infection, positivity has ranged from 0.5% to 2.3%.7.8
How Does Chlamydia Spread
Chlamydia is spread when a person has unprotected sex with an infected person.
Because chlamydial infection often has no symptoms, many people do not realise they have the infection.
Even if you know a person well, you may not be able to tell they have an STI, because people can look healthy and still have chlamydia.
Remember, you can get chlamydia and other STIs from a new sexual partner who has in the past had sex with someone who is infected.
It can also be spread from a long-term partner who has had sex with other people.
Dont Miss: How Are Men Tested For Chlamydia
Don’t Miss: Can Chlamydia Cause Prostate Cancer
What Happens If Chlamydia Goes Untreated
If a person is not treated for chlamydia, complications may occur. Women frequently develop pelvic inflammatory disease . PID can cause infertility , chronic pelvic pain, tubal pregnancies, and the continued spread of the disease. In men, untreated chlamydia can cause urethral infection and complications such as swollen and tender testicles. Chlamydia infection during pregnancy may result in premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery and possible tubal pregnancy in a small percent of women. In addition, chlamydia can cause conjunctival and pneumonic infection in the newborn. Persons with a chlamydia infection have an increased chance of getting other infections such as gonorrhea or HIV.
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.
Recommended Reading: How You Get Rid Of Chlamydia
What Is Chlamydia And What Causes It
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that affect about 10 percent of women under 24 years old. It is contacted by vaginal, anal and oral intercourse. It caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
Women that practice unsafe sexual intercourse are more likely have the disease. Sexual contact is the commonest mode of transmission. However, it could be transmitted during childbirth and women with poor hygiene.
It is often recommended that women who are sexually active conduct yearly testing for the disease. This is more important for women that are pregnant. This is because in pregnancy chlamydia can cause miscarriage, preterm babies, and ectopic pregnancy.
What Complications Can Result From Chlamydial Infection
The initial damage that chlamydia causes often goes unnoticed. However, chlamydial infections can lead to serious health problems with both short- and long-term consequences.
In women, untreated chlamydia can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease . Symptomatic PID occurs in about 10 to 15 percent of women with untreated chlamydia.30,31 However, chlamydia can also cause subclinical inflammation of the upper genital tract . Both acute and subclinical PID can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, tubal factor infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy.32,33
Some patients with chlamydial PID develop perihepatitis, or Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome, an inflammation of the liver capsule and surrounding peritoneum, which is associated with right upper quadrant pain.
In pregnant women, untreated chlamydia has been associated with pre-term delivery,34 as well as ophthalmia neonatorum and pneumonia in the newborn.
Reactive arthritis can occur in men and women following symptomatic or asymptomatic chlamydial infection, sometimes as part of a triad of symptoms formerly referred to as Reiters Syndrome.35
Recommended Reading: How Long It Takes For Chlamydia To Go Away