Chlamydia:
It is a common sexually transmitted disease that causes infection between men and women. It can cause permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant at a later time. It is known as a “silent” infection; Because most women who have chlamydia do not show symptoms.
Methods of transmission:
- Chlamydia can be contracted via vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has chlamydia.
- Chlamydia can be contracted even if a man has not ejaculated.
- A pregnant woman with chlamydia can transmit the infection to her baby during childbirth.
Pregnancy and chlamydia:
Pregnant women can pass the infection to the baby during childbirth, and this may cause him to develop an eye infection or pneumonia, which may also increase the possibility of premature birth of the fetus.
Most vulnerable groups:
- Homosexuals.
- Multiple sex partners.
Symptoms:
Chlamydia often does not show symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems even without symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they may not appear until several weeks after having sex with an infected partner. Women may notice:
- Unusual vaginal secretions.
- A burning sensation when urinating.
- Vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods.
- Lower back or abdominal pain.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
Symptoms in men can include:
- Secretions from the penis.
- A burning sensation when urinating.
- Pain and swelling in one or both testicles (less common).
Men and women can also get chlamydia in the rectum. This occurs either through anal sex or by spreading from another infected site (such as the vagina). While this infection often causes no symptoms, it can cause rectal pain or secretion and bleeding from the anus. Chlamydia can cause conjunctivitis of the eyes. This is caused by exposure to genital fluids (such as semen or vaginal secretions) from a person infected with bacteria.
When to see a doctor:
- When noticing any of these symptoms.
- If the partner has an STD or one of its symptoms.
Complications:
The initial damage caused by chlamydia often goes unnoticed, but it can lead to serious health problems. In women, untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease:
- Formation of bump tissue that blocks the fallopian tubes.
- An ectopic pregnancy.
- Infertility (inability to become pregnant).
- Long-term pelvic/abdominal pain.
Men rarely develop health problems from chlamydia. The infection can cause fever and pain in the tubes connected to the testicles. In rare cases, this leads to infertility.
Treatment:
Chlamydia can be cured, but it is important to take all the medications prescribed by your doctor to treat the infection. Medications should not be shared with anyone else. Although the medication will stop the infection, it will not cure any permanent damage caused by the disease.
Recurrences of chlamydia are common, so you should get tested again about three months after treatment even if your partner has received treatment.
Having sex after chlamydia treatment:
- Not have sex until the partner have finished treatment.
- If given a single dose of the medicine, wait for seven days after taking the medicine before having sex.
- If given medication to take for seven days, wait until all doses are finished before having sex.
If infected with chlamydia and took medications in the past, still get it again. This can happen when having sex without a condom with someone who has chlamydia.
Prevention:
The only way to completely avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal or oral sex, but your chances of contracting chlamydia can be reduced by:
- To be in a long-term relationship (marriage) with a partner who has been tested and does not suffer from chlamydia.
- Annual examination if the sexual partner has a sexually transmitted infection.
- Using condoms, the right way is the best way to prevent STIs when having sex (a man does not need to ejaculate to infect a partner with chlamydia)
- Other methods do not protect women from contracting sexually transmitted diseases (e.g.: birth control pills, injections, implants, etc.).
- Ensure that you and your partner are screened for STDs.
- Not having sex when the partner's health is unknown, to avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
- Avoid increasing the number of your sexual partners; The risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases increases with multiple partners.
- Avoid alcohol or drug use; the possibility of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases.
The steps work best when used together, and no single step can protect against every type of STD.
Get tested for chlamydia:
- When you have a new sexual partner.
- You had chlamydia or another sexually transmitted disease in the past
- Not using a condom during sex.
- When you have any of the symptoms of chlamydia.
Instructions for people with chlamydia:
- Visit the doctor for treatment immediately; Antibiotics treat chlamydia but will not repair any permanent damage to the reproductive organs.
- Finish all prescribed medications, even when symptoms disappear.
- Inform the sexual partner of the infection so that it can be examined and treated.
- Avoid sexual intercourse until treatment is complete for you and your partner.
- You can get chlamydia again when you have sex with someone who has it.
- See your doctor if you have symptoms that do not go away within a few days after completing the antibiotics.