What You Need To Know About Chlamydia

Over 1 million sexually transmitted infections and diseases are acquired every day in the world (WHO, 2021). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. In some cases, chlamydia will not cause any symptoms but if left untreated it can lead to serious health effects. It is essential to practice safe sex to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections and diseases.

What is Chlamydia and What Causes it?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis. This STI can affect and be spread by both men and women. It is spread by oral, vaginal, or anal sex with a person who has it. Also, if a woman with chlamydia gives birth, they could infect the baby with chlamydia during childbirth.

What are the Symptoms of Chlamydia?

Sometimes chlamydia will not cause any symptoms or symptoms will not appear until several weeks after you were infected. Even if you don’t have symptoms, you can still transmit it to others and it can still cause serious conditions in the future. Common symptoms in women include abnormal vaginal discharge, burning with urination, and pain during sex. Common symptoms in men include penis discharge, burning with urination, pain and / or swelling of the testicles.

How Do You Test For Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is easily diagnosed with a urine test or a vaginal swab that is tested by a laboratory for the chlamydia bacteria.

How Is Chlamydia Treated?

You must see a healthcare professional for testing and treatment of Chlamydia. You may come across “home remedies” or supplements on the internet that claim to cure Chlamydia but there is no evidence that these methods are effective. Chlamydia is caused by bacteria. The only method to treat bacterium is with antibiotics. There are no other treatments that will cure chlamydia. If you do not seek treatment for chlamydia, it can spread and lead to other serious medical conditions.

What Other Medical Conditions Can Chlamydia Cause?

For women, if chlamydia is left untreated it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, pain, future ectopic pregnancy, permanent damage to reproductive organs, infertility, and reactive arthritis. For men, if chlamydia is left untreated it can cause an infection of the epididymis, pain, reactive arthritis, and possibly infertility.

How Can I Prevent Chlamydia?

The only way to 100% effectively prevent chlamydia is to not have sex with someone who has chlamydia. If you are sexually active and want to reduce your risk of sexually transmitted diseases, you should practice safe sex by using condoms. Although condoms do not totally eliminate the risk of getting chlamydia, they do reduce the risk. If you are sexually active, consider getting regular STI testing.