Higher Risk Settings For Chlamydia Pneumoniae Infections
Prolonged contact with a person who is infected with the bacterium is more likely to result in an infection. Working or living in a crowded or densely populated environment can increase your risk of being exposed and becoming ill with chlamydia pneumoniae. These settings may include:
- A cough that worsens over time
When To Seek Medical Advice
If you have any symptoms of chlamydia, visit your GP, community contraceptive service or local genitourinary medicine clinic as soon as possible.
You should also get tested if you don’t have any symptoms but are concerned you could have a sexually transmitted infection .
If you’re a woman, sexually active and under 25 in England, it’s recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year, and when you have sex with new or casual partners.
If you’re a man, sexually active and under 25 in England, it’s recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year if you are not using condoms with new or casual partners.
Read more about chlamydia diagnosis.
Page last reviewed: 01 September 2021 Next review due: 01 September 2024
How Chlamydia Is Treated
Chlamydia can usually be treated easily with antibiotics.
You may be given a course of doxycycline to take for a week or azithromycin to take once a day for 3 days.
If you have doxycycline, you should not have sex until you and your current sexual partner have finished treatment.
If you have azithromycin, you should wait 7 days after treatment before having sex .
It’s important that your current sexual partner and any other recent sexual partners you have had are also tested and treated to help stop the spread of the infection.
Under-25s who have chlamydia should be offered another test 3 to 6 months after being treated.
This is because young adults who test positive for chlamydia are at increased risk of catching it again.
Sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinics can help you contact your sexual partners.
Either you or the clinic can speak to them, or they can be sent a note advising them to get tested.
The note will not have your name on it, so your confidentiality will be protected.
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How To Protect Against Chlamydia
Here’s the thing: The only completely surefire way to completely avoid contracting an STI is to abstain from sex. However, there are safer-sex practices you can keep in mind to reduce your risk.
Like with other STIs, good practices for preventing chlamydia include using barrier protection like condoms or dental dams, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It’s also a good idea to skip douching, which wipes out the vagina’s good bacteria, making infection more likely, according to the Mayo Clinic.
And, of course, you should know your STI status by getting tested regularly as well as talking to any sexual partners about their STI status as well. It might feel awkward, but remember: STIs are nothing to feel ashamed about. “It’s just something that happens, unfortunately, to people who have sex,” says Dr. Sung.
When Should I See My Healthcare Provider
When it comes to chlamydia, its a good idea to be proactive. Speak with your healthcare provider about your risks of infection. Make a plan to get screened regularly for STIs based on your providers recommendations for how often you should be tested. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if your partner tests positive for chlamydia or if you notice any signs or symptoms that you may be infected.
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Is Rsv On The Rise
RSV was on the rise for much of the late summer, September and October in late October, rates were more than 500% higher than those in early September, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the most recent week for which data is available, Nov. 5, shows a decline in rates to levels from a few weeks ago.
In addition to the high number of cases, the current RSV surge is also unusual because many children are showing up at hospitals much sicker on average than compare to previous years.
The majority of the children are coming in pretty sick. Theyre requiring higher levels of oxygen they normally would, Erica Setzer, Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital clinical program director of pediatric critical clinical care services, told NBC News national correspondent Gabe Gutierrez in a segment in October.
Dr. Juan Salazar, executive vice president and physician-in-chief at Connecticut Childrens, previously told TODAY that he’s never seen this level of transmission or “need for hospitalization in kids” due to RSV in the 25 years he’s been at his hospital.
It’s not exactly clear why RSV has been surging, but some experts have theorized that it started with pandemic restrictions, which reduced kids’ exposure to the virus over the past few years. So now, more kids are susceptible who otherwise wouldn’t have been, and they’re getting infected after much of the country suddenly dropped pandemic-era precautions, like masking and social distancing.
In Both Males And Females
Complications that may be seen in anyone include:
- Other STIs. Chlamydia and gonorrhea both make you more susceptible to other STIs, including human immunodeficiency virus . Having chlamydia can also increase your risk of developing gonorrhea, and vice versa.
- Reactive arthritis . Also called Reiters syndrome, this condition results from an infection in your urinary tract or intestines. Symptoms of this condition cause pain, swelling, or tightness in your joints and eyes, and a variety of other symptoms.
- Infertility. Damage to reproductive organs or to sperm can make it more challenging or, in some cases, impossible to become pregnant or to impregnate your partner.
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Preventing The Spread Of Infection
It is absolutely necessary to inform the partner if you get a positive test for Chlamydia. The sooner the partner is told the more effective and simple the treatment can be. Make sure your partner gets tested and receives the treatment as well and abstain from the intercourse until the treatment of both you and the partner is finished.
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
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Letting Partners Know You Have Chlamydia
Sexual partners may be infected too. If you have chlamydia, anyone you have had sex with from the last 6 months needs to be informed, tested and treated.
If they dont know, they could reinfect you or infect someone else if they are not treated. dont receive treatment.
Most people will appreciate being told they may have an infection and it is an important step in preventing further infection in the community.
Your local GP and sexual health centre can help you inform your partners and let them know that they need a test. This process is called partner notification. It can be done anonymously, and your confidentiality is always respected.
You can also anonymously notify your sexual partners of the need to get tested and treated for chlamydia via the Let Them Know website if you feel unable to speak to them personally.
There are also nurses who can help you anonymously notify your partners. They can be contacted on .
What Is Oral Chlamydia Symptoms Testing Treatment And Prevention
The sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis is chlamydia. It is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the US. Two-thirds of new infections occur among youth aged 15-24 years. As per CDC, 1 in 20 sexually active young women have chlamydia who belong to the age group 14-24 years.
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What Is Oral Chlamydia
Oral chlamydia is an infection that is found in the mouth or throat. It occurs after having oral sex with an infected person. Most cases of chlamydia, as well as that, occur in the throat, do not have any symptoms. Its essential to seek treatment if a person gets oral chlamydia and should take steps to prevent chlamydia infections in the throat. Chlamydia in the throat is termed pharyngeal chlamydia infection. Moreover, getting oral sex from someone who has contracted a chlamydia infection of the throat can also transmit the bacteria to the genitals. This is not a lifelong condition, it can be cured when treated with the right antibiotics.
How Did I Get Chlamydia If I Didnt Cheat
A note from Cleveland Clinic
It can be embarrassing to talk about anything sex-related with your healthcare provider, including STI prevention. But your sex life is an important part of your health that your provider needs to know about to care for you. Not getting the treatment you need for chlamydia can pose serious risks to your health. Speak with your provider about getting regularly screened for chlamydia and other STIs to reduce your risks of complications. Practice safer sex to prevent the spread of chlamydia.
Read Also: How Soon Can You Detect Chlamydia
What Can Happen If Chlamydia Isnt Treated
Untreated chlamydia can put your health at risk. Make an appointment with your provider immediately if you notice any symptoms of chlamydia, and get regular STI screenings to avoid complications later.
Complications of chlamydia for people with vaginas
Untreated chlamydia can cause:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease . PID is a serious condition that requires hospitalization. It can occur when an untreated STI, like chlamydia, damages your reproductive organs. PID can lead to infertility and chronic pelvic pain. It can also cause an ectopic pregnancy, which is life-threatening for the fetus and potentially deadly for the mother or gestational parent, too.
- Pregnancy complications. An untreated infection can lead to pre-term delivery. Also, if youre pregnant and have chlamydia, you can pass the infection on to your newborn. Babies born with chlamydia may have pneumonia or conjunctivitis that could lead to blindness if not treated.
Complications of chlamydia for people with penises
Untreated chlamydia can cause:
- Epididymitis. Infection can spread to the testicles and the tube that carries sperm to your testicles , causing symptoms like pain, swelling and tenderness in your testicles.
- Reduced fertility. Chlamydia can harm your sperm, negatively impacting your ability to conceive.
Complications of chlamydia that can affect all genders
Untreated chlamydia can:
What Happens If Chlamydia Is Left Untreated
If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to more serious health problems.
In people assigned female at birth, untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease , a condition which can scar the fallopian tubes and lead to infertility.
Chlamydia can also be passed on to babies during birth if the parent has the infection while pregnant.
In people assigned male at birth, untreated chlamydia can cause epididymitis, an infection in the prostate gland, and male chlamydial urethritis.
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Regular Screening Prevents Later Problems
When young women and other women at high risk for chlamydia follow CDC guidelines and get yearly screening, they reduce their risk for the serious problems that the illness can cause. They are less likely to suffer infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and other serious health troubles than women who skip yearly testing.
Testing is easy. If it helps you remember, do it the week after your birthday, or tie it to some other annual event, like July 4th. That way, you can declare your independence from worry about STDs.
How Long Does Azithromycin Take To Cure Chlamydia
It usually takes approximately 7 days for azithromycin to cure chlamydia. However, it can take up to 2 weeks for the infection to go away completely.
Avoid having sex during treatment or until the infection has cleared. Youll want to make sure its completely cured, or else youll risk passing it to someone else.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Chlamydia
Chlamydia is known as one of the silent diseases which can produce no symptoms for a long period of time. Approximately 7095 percent of women and 50 percent of men with chlamydia do not observe chlamydia symptoms at all. The symptoms can also be mild and almost unnoticeable.
Another reason why symptoms are not the best way to determine the infection is that it is often confused with gonorrhea as the symptoms are very much alike. Asymptomatic nature of chlamydia makes it difficult to estimate how long a person remains infectious and this period is commonly believed to last until full recovery.
Chlamydia symptoms show up between 1 and 3 weeks after the contraction.
What Causes Fatal Familial Insomnia
FFI isnât actually a sleep disorder, even though it contains the word insomnia. FFI is a prion disease, which means itâs caused by a malfunction of proteins in the brain. Some prion diseases are genetic â like FFI â while others are caused by infections.
A mutation to the PRPN gene causes the prion malfunction in people with FFI. Most of the time, this mutation is passed down from a parent. However, in rare cases, the gene spontaneously mutates. This mutation occurs in the egg or sperm that forms the baby.
The PRPN gene controls the creation of the PrP protein. Experts arenât sure exactly what this protein does, but when you have this specific genetic mutation, the protein forms in the incorrect shape. This makes it toxic to your body. The malformed protein builds up in your thalamus over your lifetime, damaging it.
Your thalamus typically controls how you sleep and eat. It also helps regulate your body temperature. The damage that occurs over time affects these processes in people with FFI.
The PRPN mutation that causes FFI is an autosomal dominant mutation. That means that you only need to receive one copy of this gene to get the disease.
If you have this genetic mutation, you have a 50% chance of passing on the disease to your child with each pregnancy.
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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.
- A condition called mucopurulent cervicitis, characterized by a yellow discharge from the cervix
Untreated chlamydia in men may lead to:
Soreness And Swelling At The Area Of The Injection Are Two Of The Most Common Reactions To The Vaccine
If you have felt immense pain and itchiness after taking a COVID-19 vaccine shot, you are not alone. In the last two years, COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to a large number of people. While the vaccine protects you from falling prey to the deadly virus, it also brings some side effects along with it. Soreness and swelling at the area of the injection are two of the most common reactions to the vaccine. The reaction caused by it is also referred to as COVID Arm.
What is COVID Arm?
COVID Arm is a delayed but harmless allergic reaction that appears as a red, warm, pruritic or swollen rash in the vicinity of the vaccine area.
What are the most common symptoms of COVID Arm?
Itchiness, which can get intense
A red or discoloured rash that varies in size
Skin feels warm to the touch
Hard lump under the skin of the vaccine area
Swelling
In some cases, the rash can also spread to your hands or fingers
Why does this problem occur?
The COVID-19 vaccine helps you shield yourself from the virus. But, in some patients, it can cause a skin reaction. This reaction takes place as your immune cells respond to the muscle cells, which have already absorbed the vaccine. The problem occurs as the vaccine produces SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which, according to your immune system, is an infection that needs to be fought.
How long does COVID Arm last?
How to treat COVID Arm?
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How Is Chlamydia Treated
Chlamydia can be cleared up with antibiotics in about a week or two. But dont stop taking your medication just because your symptoms improve. Ask your provider about what follow-up is needed to be sure your infection is gone after youve finished taking your medicine.
Part of your treatment should also include avoiding sexual activities that could cause you to get re-infected and ensuring that any sexual partners who may be infected also get treatment. You should:
- Abstain from sex until your infection has cleared up. Starting treatment doesnt mean that youre in the clear. Take all your medication as your provider directs, and avoid all sexual contact in the meantime.
- Contact all sexual partners. Tell any sexual partners from the last 3 months that youre infected so that they can get tested, too.
- Get tested for other STIs . Its common to have multiple STIs, and its important to receive treatment thats tailored to each infection.
Antibiotics can get rid of your infection, but they cant reverse any harm the bacteria may have caused to your body before treatment. This is why its so important to get screened regularly for chlamydia, to see your provider at the first sign of symptoms, and get treatment immediately if youre infected.