STDs, Sexually Transmitted Disease 1, Chlamydia Infection Symptoms Hot Facts Girl Kayleigh
[media url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S__EEJDwNmY” width=”600″ height=”400″]Chlamydia refers to a sexually transmitted disease that typically occurs as a result of transfer of infection due to unprotected sex with a person infected with the bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis.
The bacteria can be found in the genital secretions and also the urine of people who are infected. Chlamydia can affect many regions of the reproductive system, thereby causing infections such as vaginitis, urethritis, cervicitis and PID.
Chlamydia may also lead to pneumonia and eye infections in newborn babies delivered by infected mothers.
Chlamydia is known to be one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Infections usually occur in unmarried people who have had two or more sexual partners in the previous year and are common in people of 25 and under.
If left untreated, chlamydia may lead to infertility in women, tubal pregnancy (the fertilized eggs embeds and develops in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus) and chronic pain.
Signs and symptoms
Majority of the women and men (75% women and 50% men), do not experience any symptoms at all with chlamydia. Therefore, infections are usually left alone, untreated, allowing it to spread to others.
Signs and symptoms of chlamydia in women include:
- A burning sensation or discomfort while urination
- Light vaginal bleeding, particularly after sexual intercourse
- A vaginal discharge that does not look normal
- Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis
Signs and symptoms of chlamydia in men include:
- Abnormal fluid release in the semen or urine
- A burning sensation while urinating
When to seek medical attention
The following groups of women are recommended to receive a yearly chlamydia screening to determine whether or not they have the infection and receive appropriate treatment, if necessary:
- Sexually active women who are 24 years of age and younger
- Women who are older yet have multiple sex partners
- Pregnancy women of age 24 and below
- Older women who are pregnant and have a higher risk of having the infection due to known risk factors
See your doctor if you have sexual contact with a person who you suspect may be infected with chlamydia or any other sexually transmitted infection.
You must see your doctor as soon as possible if you have a vaginal, urethral or pelvic infection.
Treatment
Treatment for chlamydia includes oral antibiotics such as doxycycline, ofloxacin and azithromycin. It is important that if a person has been diagnosed with chlamydia must ensure that his or her sex partners have been diagnosed and treated as well.
Prevention
Chlamydia is an infection that spread during sexual intercourse, therefore, to prevent its spread it is important that you:
- Avoid having sex if you have the infection or if you suspect your partner has it
- Have sex with only one, uninfected partner
- Use condoms
To prevent further complications that may arise due to chlamydia, it is important that sexually active women must get themselves screened for chlamydia annually. This will ensure that they do not experience problems such as tubal pregnancy or infertility by receiving early treatment. Pregnant women who may be at risk should get screened to ensure that their babies do not have eye infections associated with chlamydia or pneumonia.