Frequently Asked Questions About Chlamydia
Yes! It is curable for both men and women and it is one of the common diseases to be passed on sexually. The hardest thing is noticing the infection itself as it remains symptomless so it can be difficult to realise you have it in the first place.
Its unclear whether chlamydia can be spread through just touching another persons genitals. In most cases, it is usually caught through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex. It is also possible to catch the infection through unprotected or uncleaned shared toys.
Most people dont show signs of the infection and it rare for people to recognise symptoms as the infection. If you do get symptoms of the sexually transmitted disease then they usually appear one to three weeks after having unprotected sex with an infected person. It is possible for symptoms to develop months after the initial infection and symptoms can come and go.
Yes! Chlamydial conjunctivitis is redness and swelling of the clear membrane that lines the inside of your eyelids and covers the white of your eyes. In some cases the infection when in the eye is known as pink eye. Although relatively harmless in adults, eye infection in newborn babies can lead to blindness.
Physicians With Mohs Plastic Surgeon Los Angeles Weigh In On The Differences Between Electrosurgery And Mohs Surgery
Electrosurgery Despite the name, electrosurgery is not quite as invasive as some people might think. This approach to treating and curing BCC entails scraping or shaving off the cancer growths on the skin with what is known as a curette. For reference, a curette is a sharp medical instrument that has a ring-shaped tip attached to it. From there, the physician will use a chemical agent, such as Cisplatin, Busulfan, or Altretamine, to kill off any cancer cells left behind. This procedure, according to several MOHs plastic surgeon physicians, is a go-to for treating patients with early-stage BCC.
Mohs surgery Slightly more invasive than electrosurgery, Mohs surgery, named after Frederic E. Mohs, MD, is considered by most physicians to be a better choice for resolving tumors related to BCC. It is worth noting that the surgical procedure causes very little damage to nearby healthy skin tissue. To begin, the physician will cut away the tumor and a small amount of the tissue that surrounds it. That tissue is then examined by a lab technician who will determine whether or not it contains cancer cells. If cancerous cells are present, the physician will cut away more of the surrounding tissue to ensure the patient is cancer-free and to reduce the risk of a recurrence.
It is worth noting that radiation therapy and cryosurgery are also treatment options that many physicians will recommend to patients with BCC.
How Do I Prevent Chlamydia
Using condoms every time you have sex can greatly reduce the risk of contracting chlamydia. Condoms should be used not just during ejaculation, but before any genital or sexual contact starts. If you are having oral-vaginal sex, use a dental dam to stay protected.
Ask a partner whether theyâve been tested recently for STIs before starting sexual contact. If a partner has sex with multiple people, ask about their STI status and encourage them to also get tested. Limiting the number of sexual partners you are exposed to will also decrease your risk of contracting chlamydia.
For people with female reproductive organs, a yearly gynecologic visit is recommended, even for those in a monogamous longterm relationship. People who are sexually active should always be screened for chlamydia. The screening can easily be performedâon a urine specimen, or as part of a pelvic exam.
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Risk Factors And Demographic Factors For Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection
The most common demographic correlate of infection with chlamydial infection in women is young age . This could be explained by the anatomic differences in the cervix of the younger women, wherein the squamo-columnar junction, a primary host target for C. trachomatis, is everted and thus more exposed. Other factors associated with chlamydial infection include unmarried status, nulliparity, black race and poor socio-economic condition. A large number of sexual partners, a new sexual partner, lack of use of barrier contraceptive devices and concurrent gonococcal infection are also known to be associated with chlamydial infection. Cervical chlamydial infections are also found to be associated with the use of oral contraceptives.
Chlamydia Complications In Women
Complications of chlamydia in vaginas of women.
Chlamydia can lead to the following complications if left untreated:
- Inflammation of the pelvis . PID is a life-threatening condition that necessitates hospitalization. It can happen if an untreated sexually transmitted infection , such as chlamydia, destroys your reproductive organs. Infertility and severe pelvic pain are both possible outcomes of PID. It can also result in an ectopic pregnancy, which is potentially fatal for both the fetus and the mother or gestational parent.
- Complications of pregnancy An untreated infection can result in a premature birth. You can also spread chlamydia to your baby if youre pregnant and have the virus. If left untreated, chlamydia-infected babies can develop pneumonia or conjunctivitis, which can lead to blindness.
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What Are The Complications Of Gonorrhea
Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men.
In women, gonorrhea can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease . The symptoms may be quite mild or can be very severe and can include abdominal pain and fever 13. PID can lead to internal abscesses and chronic pelvic pain. PID can also damage the fallopian tubes enough to cause infertility or increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
In men, gonorrhea may be complicated by epididymitis. In rare cases, this may lead to infertility 14.
If left untreated, gonorrhea can also spread to the blood and cause disseminated gonococcal infection . DGI is usually characterized by arthritis, tenosynovitis, and/or dermatitis 15. This condition can be life threatening.
How Long Does It Take For A Male To Show Signs Of Chlamydia
Symptoms in the penis Symptoms of chlamydia may affect the penis within 13 weeks of the person coming into contact with the infection. In some cases, though, these symptoms can take months to appear. Symptoms of chlamydia in the penis may include: white, cloudy, or watery discharge from the tip of the penis.
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Can You Have Chlamydia For Years
You can have chlamydia for years if it is left untreated. Chlamydia, if left untreated for many years may cause a low grade infection without symptoms.
It could potentially flare up to cause a symptomatic infection, especially if there is an alteration in the persons immune system, such as a severe cold or flu, cancer or some other severe illness.
What Is The Prevalence Of Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most prevalent bacterial-caused STI. In 2019, the CDC received over 2 million chlamydia cases. Its conceivable that the number of infections is significantly higher. Infection rates increased in 2019 when compared to prior years across persons of all genders, races and ethnicities, and in every region of the United States. The majority of chlamydia infections are asymptomatic, meaning there are no signs or symptoms of infection. Many of these incidents are likely to go unnoticed.
Certain demographic factors may increase your chances of being diagnosed with chlamydia. If youre one of the following, youre more likely to be diagnosed:
A teen or young adult between the ages of 15 and 24. This age group accounts for more than half of all diagnosed chlamydia cases in the United States.
A cisgender woman between the ages of 15 and 24. Chlamydia screenings are targeted at young women in this age group, and the infection rate among those who are screened is high.
A man who engages in sex with other men . Chlamydia infections are more common in guys who have sex with other men.
Non-Hispanic and black. Non-Hispanic Black people are disproportionately affected by chlamydia infections.
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Untreated Chlamydia In Women
The greatest complication of untreated Chlamydia in women is infertility. It is defined as the inability to get pregnant despite trying to conceive for over a period of one year. Chlamydia is one of the causes of infertility worldwide. If left untreated, Chlamydia can spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries leading to pelvic inflammatory disease . It can also cause ectopic pregnancies .
Infertility due to Chlamydia is caused after the spread of infection further into the fallopian tubes that causes blockage of the fallopian tubes, known as hydrosalpinx. Fallopian tubes can also develop scar tissue due to which an egg is unable to travel to the uterus for implantation leading to ectopic pregnancy. The classic symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can be pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, lightheadedness, positive pregnancy test. A doctor should be immediately contacted when these symptoms are noticed.
The spread of infection to other parts of female reproductive system, particularly to the uterus and fallopian tube may also cause pelvic inflammatory disease leading to scarring and blocking of the fallopian tubes. PID also on occasions develops without any symptoms and sometimes can be diagnosed too late which might lead to ectopic pregnancy. There is also a higher chance of miscarriage, preterm birth and still birth due to this.
The treatment of infertility in women due to Chlamydia is simple and that is treatment with antibiotics.
What Happens If Chlamydia Is Left Untreated In Males
Chlamydia is an usual STD that can infect both males and females. It can trigger major, permanent damages to a females reproductive system. What Happens If Chlamydia Is Left Untreated In Males
This can make it difficult or impossible for her to get expecting later on. Chlamydia can also create a possibly fatal ectopic pregnancy a pregnancy that happens outside the womb.
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How Do People Get Chlamydia
Chlamydia can spread when you have unprotected sexual contact with someone who already has the infection. This means vaginal, oral or anal sex without using a condom.
Transmission occurs because the bacteria that cause chlamydia live and grow in the fluids that are secreted during sexual activity. If you have chlamydia, there is a 30% to 50% chance of your partner catching it every time you have unprotected sex.
Since chlamydia often has no symptoms, you probably wont know whether your partner has it.
Chlamydia cant spread from toilets, swimming pools or usual contact with people. It only spreads through the sharing of genital fluids.
Newborn babies, however, can get chlamydia through their mother during childbirth.
Chlamydia infections can live in the nose, genitals or rectum for more than 2 years.
How Do I Test For Chlamydia
You can get tested for chlamydia even if you dont have any symptoms.
Getting tested for chlamydia is easy and doesnt hurt. A healthcare professional will ask for a urine sample and/or take a swab from the area that might be infected. This is usually the lower part of the womb or the vagina for women, and the tip of the penis for men. If youve had anal or oral sex, you may have a swab taken from your anus or throat.
In some countries you can get a self-testing kit to do at home.
If you test positive for chlamydia, its important to tell any recent sexual partner/s so they can also get tested, and treated if necessary. If you need advice about how to do this, speak to your healthcare professional. You should also test for other STIs.
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Special Cases: Chlamydia In Infants And Hiv
Newborn infants are also at risk for chlamydial infections if their mother has an untreated infection at the time of delivery. Newborn infants can contract chlamydia trachomatis as they travel through the birth canal and develop eye infections or pneumonia . For this reason, chlamydia testing should be routine during pregnancy.
Having an STI, like chlamydia, can also increase your chances of contracting HIV if you are exposed it to it, or spreading HIV if you are already infected . If you think you have chlamydia, or any STI, it is important for you to seek help immediately from your healthcare provider or an STI clinic. Many clinics provide free or low-cost STI testing. This will all help keep you, your sexual partners, and your community healthy.
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Can You Have Chlamydia For 5 Years Without Knowing
If untreated, chlamydia can develop into serious reproductive and other health problems with both short-term and long-term effects. The damage is often silent.
10 percent to 15 percent women with untreated chlamydia will suffer with pelvic inflammatory disease.
Problems among men are rare. Infection can cause epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles that can lead to infertility if not treated.
Chlamydia infection can cause reactive arthritis, formerly known as Reiters syndrome, although this is rare. Symptoms include arthritis, skin lesions and swelling of the eye and urethra.
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What Happens If Hiv Is Left Untreated
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HIV/AIDs is an infection that is commonly transferred through sexual intercourse or any contact with an infected persons blood or bodily fluids. It begins by attacking the immune system and targeting the agents designed to protect the body from other infections and bodily harm. If left untreated, it will progressively attack the immune system until it is too weak to prevent other infections or cancers from entering the body. Even though the infection on its own doesnt have the capacity to kill you, the damage that it does to your immune system will prevent you from defending yourself against any other infection that may, and eventually will, kill you. People that live with untreated HIV will usually see AIDS develop within 2-15 years and will then have a life expectancy of around 3 years.
With recent technological and medical advances, doctors are able to prescribe regimens that can keep you alive and relatively healthy after an HIV diagnosis. However, its extremely important to catch the disease early and recognize any of the three stages that the infection goes through:
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How To Stay Safe
STIs are usually spread by having sex â digital, vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Some can be spread via blood or blood products and some and can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth.
So, what can you do to stay safe?
When used correctly, condoms offer one of the most effective methods of protection against STIs, including HIV. Female condoms are also effective and safe.
We are often not aware that they may have an STI.
Any sexually active person can catch an STI, those who change partners frequently or do not use condoms are at higher risk. Previous successful treatment for an STI doesnât make you immune to catching the infection again.
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What Are The Chlamydia Symptoms
If you do detect symptoms, they will most likely be varied depending on your reproductive architecture. Many of the symptoms that affect cisgender women can also affect transgender guys and non binary people with vaginal protrusions. Many of the symptoms that transgender women and non binary individuals with penises experience are also experienced by cisgender men.
Pid Or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Due To Untreated Chlamydia:
Chlamydia causes PID or pelvic inflammatory disease. PID is a serious problem that can damage the fallopian tubes and uterus of the woman. About 40% of all women who have chlamydia get pelvic inflammatory disease. If you have PID, your fallopian tubes and uterus becomes scarred, swollen and filled with pus.
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What Do Genital Herpes Symptoms Look Like
The most common symptoms of herpes are small blisters that burst to leave red, open sores. You can get herpes blisters on your penis, vagina, anus, throat, on the top of your thighs and buttocks or around your mouth .
Other symptoms can include:
- tingling or burning around the genitals
- feeling unwell, with aches, pains and flu-like symptoms
- unusual vaginal discharge in women.
Many people with genital herpes wont get any symptoms, or may get symptoms for the first time months or even years after they were infected.
For most people, the blisters go away within one to two weeks. Although the outbreaks clear-up by themselves, the virus stays in the body. This means that people usually get blisters again which is called having a recurrent outbreak. Outbreaks usually become shorter and less severe over time.