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Chlamydia Infection: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention

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Chlamydia Infection is the commonly occurring genital infection in women and men. Signs of chlamydia infection remain hidden or subtle apparently and this is the reason of its late detection. However at the later stage of chlamydia infection, both men and women are found to be experiencing pain in the genitals and discharge from genitals.

Chlamydia infection occurs in both men and women at any point of age. It is easy to treat after correct detection but if ignored it can be the cause of many other more serious health disorders.

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Chlamydia Infection
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Causes of Chlamydia Infection

Chlamydia infection is formed by bacteria generated disease which spreads during oral, anal or vaginal sex. Pregnant women can unknowingly pass on to these bacteria to their child during the delivery. It can cause pneumonia or an eye infection to the child by the effect of such bacteria.

Signs and Symptoms of Chlamydia Infection

Since there are no apparent symptoms of Chlamydia, it is not easy to detect. However after 2 to 3 weeks of infection, the body starts showing the following symptoms:

Signs and Symptoms of Chlamydia Infection in Women

  • Vaginal discharge with odor
  • Occasional bleeding after and before the regular period
  • Pain during periods
  • Extreme pain in the lower abdomen accompanied with fever
  • Pain during sex
  • sensation of burning in the vagina and its surrounding areas
  • Irritation while passing urine.

Signs and Symptoms of Chlamydia Infection in Men

  • Discharge from penis
  • Pain while passing urine
  • Itching sensation around the genitals
  • Painful bulges around the genitals
  • Right Time to Consult a Doctor for Chlamydia Infection

Consult your doctor as soon as you start feeling an itching sensation while passing urine. Start taking antibiotics yourself if your partner is found to be affected with chlamydia infection.

Risk Factors for Chlamydia Infection

Risk factors of chlamydia infection are greater while:

  • Individuals below the age of 24.
  • More than a sex partner in a particular period.
  • Ignorance in using condoms.
  • Record of past occurrence of sexually transmitted infections.

Complications of Chlamydia Infection

Chlamydia infection can grow in a person due to the followings:

  • People who have other sexual diseases may have the risk of getting contaminated by chlamydia infection. Gonorrhea and HIV is the virus which has high chances of spreading in a person affected by chlamydia infection.
  • Chlamydia infection can lead to Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), the uterus and fallopian tubes get affected first. It causes severe pain in the pelvic regions and is even accompanied with high fever. The fever can be extreme and the patient should be in hospital and get treated with intravenous antibiotics. PID damages the uterus, ovary, fallopian tubes as well as the cervix.
  • Chlamydia infections cause infections in the epididymitis or testicles in men. The coiled tube in this area is inflamed due to such infection. It is usually accompanied by high fever, swelling of testicles and pain in the scrotal areas.
  • Chlamydia infection can spread in the prostate gland of men and cause infection. It causes pain in the penis during sex, pain during passing urine, lower back pain and high fever.
  • Chlamydia infection causes severe kind of eye infection in new born babies. During the birth the infection is passed on to the child through the vaginal canal and affects the eye of the baby.
  • Chlamydia infections are not apparently detectable and cause infertility in women. The fallopian tubes face obstruction and hence the fertility of the woman is reduced.
  • Chlamydia infections develop reactive arthritis in people which is also called the Reiter’s syndrome. The body joints, urethra and eyes are affected in this infection.

Tests to Diagnose Chlamydia Infection

It is advised to screen for Chlamydia infections by the doctor even if you have minor symptoms of such infection. There are a lot more severe risks involved with chlamydia infection and so it is wise to diagnose frequently to avoid it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends regular screening of chlamydia infection for lesser risks.

  • Chances of developing chlamydia infection are more in women below the age of 25; who is active in her sex life. It is required to take a chlamydia infection every time she changes a sex partner.
  • Chlamydia infection test is compulsory for women during their prenatal examinations. Thus the risk of the new born getting infected with eye chlamydia infection can be reduced.
  • Both men and women who are active in their sex life and enjoy having sex with different partners should be diagnosed of the chlamydia infection test. People with multiple sex partners have high chances of getting affected with chlamydia infection due to the transmission of sexually transmitted infections during intercourse.

The tests conducted to diagnose chlamydia infection are:

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  • For women the discharge test is usually carried out. The cervix discharge is taken for antigen testing to detect chlamydia infection. The Pap test of urine routine test also can detect the infection. The vaginal swab test is also carried out to detect such infection.
  • For men the anus is swabbed to detect the chlamydia infection. A slim swab is inserted in the penis and a sample of urethra is thus obtained.
  • Urine test is carried out in both men and women to detect chlamydia infection.

The person once been treated for chlamydia infection should take rest for next three months to ensure proper recovery.

Treatment for Chlamydia Infection

What is the Period or Time Frame for Chlamydia Infection?

Chlamydia infection is treated mainly with frequent dose of antibiotics. Multiple doses of antibiotic in a day can be given to the patient depending on the severances of the chlamydia infection. The course of antibiotic is usually for a period of 5 to 10 days.

Patients are advised to remain abstain from sex during this period of medication for chlamydia infection. The sex partners also should undergo treatment even though they do not show any symptom of infection. Chances of the other partner to get infected of chlamydia infection are more. Both of them should undergo treatment when one is diagnosed with the infection.

A proper treatment provides immunity to the couple to remain safe from chlamydia infection in future.

Consequences of a Neglected Chlamydia Infection

Several health risks are involved in case you do not get chlamydia infection treated soon:

  • Women are vastly affected by chlamydia infection. They have fears of getting the fallopian tubes damaged which causes infertility in them. The connected tube in between the uterus and ovary is attacked with this infection and women become unable to give birth. The eggs fertilized have a tendency to grow out of the uterus in case of a neglected chlamydia infection. It can further cause premature birth of babies. Babies are found to be born with eyes infection, pneumonia and other illness when the mother carries Chlamydia infection in her prenatal stage.
  • The urethra of men is infected first in chlamydia infection which is known as nongonococcalurethritis (NGU). Epididymis infection also grows in the passage of sperm transfer to the women body. The rectum is also found to be inflamed owing to such infection.

Prevention of Chlamydia Infection

The most effective way of staying away from such disease or prevent chlamydia infection is to stay away from having unsafe sex. In case you cannot do it, do the following:

  • Use condoms during sex. Men should use latex condom or women can use a polyurethane condom in every sexual contact. However the risk of generating chlamydia infection cannot be totally ruled out but the chances can be controlled through condom.
  • Increased number of sex partners can cause chlamydia infection. It is better to remain stick to one sex partner at a time to avoid any exposure to sexual transmitted diseases.
  • Frequent diagnosis is important in case you have a highly active sex life. In case of the smallest of symptoms it is advised to see the doctor without any delay.
  • Do not touch the vagina or penis if it has been affected by chlamydia infection.

If you feel any itching or burning sensation in your genitals you should not waste time in consulting a doctor. Rash or discharge may also be recorded during this infection. If you are diagnosed with chlamydia infection or other sexually transmitted infections, you should let your other sex partners know about it soon. Ask your partners to visit a doctor to detect any chances of Chlamydia infection in their system.

In case of people with multiple sex partners, chances of getting the infection spread to all of them is more. So it is better to remain committed to one sex partner at a time and abstain from the habit of having sex with many. A regular checkup is necessary for all those who have an active sex life with multiple sex partners.

Counseling and Sex Therapy for Chlamydia Infection

The phase of chlamydia infection is much stressful in our lives. It is a phase where you tend to lose confidence in your partner and in you. The overall wellbeing of the couple is thus challenged. They are found to be emotionally affected by the infection and the relationship sometimes faces trouble.

Counseling and sex therapy can help avoid chlamydia infection. A proper counseling session may be effective in rising up the moral. A correct guide can tell you how to remain happy with one sex partner. The values and norms of the relationship can be well explained in such sessions. You can learn to remain safe during sexual intercourse through these therapies. Your partner also will be benefitted by this. All you two need is a correct set of knowledge about chlamydia infection and correct ways to recovery from it.

Lifestyle Changes Recommended for Avoiding Chlamydia Infection

The following are the strongly recommended changes in lifestyle for Chlamydia Infection:

  • Staying committed to one sex partner in life can help you stay away from chlamydia infection. The risk however can be reduced by the usage of condom each time you have sex.
  • The bacteria should be prevented from spreading in other parts of the body. Wash your hands each time when you come in contact with genitals.
  • Prevent yourself from getting in touch with the chlamydia infectedbirds to save you from respiratory infection. Wear mask when you come in contact with the infected birds.
  • A proper prenatal care can help the baby to remain free from such contamination. The chlamydia infection however should be detected and treated in the mother prior to the birth.
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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:January 28, 2019

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