You have surely heard about Chlamydia during your biology lessons. You may not have been interested in this topic at the time and you probably want more information about this infection.
This article contains all the essential information on this subject!
It will allow you to discover the causes, symptoms, available treatments and methods that can help you prevent this infection!
What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia, also called "The Silent Disease", ranks among the sexually transmitted diseases. This disease is one of the most common infections today.
What Causes Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia Trachomatis. This bacterium is transmitted by direct contact, from one individual to another, during unprotected sexual intercourse when one of the two partners is a carrier of this bacterium or suffers from this infection.
What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?
Would you like to know why Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases?
The frequency of this infection is related to its symptoms.
The bacterium does not cause any specific symptoms during the first phase of the infection. People who suffer from this disease are therefore unaware that they are infected. They have unprotected sex and infect their partners during this period.
The infection causes no symptoms and goes completely unnoticed in about 50% of male Chlamydia cases.
Depending on the mode of transmission, symptoms can affect the throat, eyes, rectum and more commonly the genitals. Symptoms usually appear 1 to 3 weeks after infection.
The most common symptoms of Chlamydia that affect the genitals include:
– Painful urination – White, cloudy or watery discharge/secretions localized in the glans – Burning or itching near the urinary meatus – Painful testicles – Inflammation of the testicles
As already mentioned, Chlamydia can also affect the throat, eyes and rectum. Other specific symptoms may appear when these areas are affected: feeling of discomfort when defecating (if the rectum is affected), eye redness, pain and conjunctivitis (if the eyes are affected). The infection usually causes no specific symptoms when it affects the throat.
What methods are used to diagnose Chlamydia?
The doctor may perform several tests to detect the presence of this infection. The most common test performed is to take a sample of secretions inside the urethra using a cotton swab. This sample is then analyzed in the laboratory. The doctor may also request a urine sample which will also be sent to the laboratory.
What is the recommended treatment for Chlamydia?
When the diagnosis is established, the doctor will suggest a treatment. You will then need to tell him about your medical history and any allergic reactions you have suffered from taking certain medications (available by prescription or over the counter). Your doctor will explain the effects of the chosen treatment, its possible side effects and the risks associated with its use.
Chlamydia is usually treated with specific drugs. This type of treatment eliminates the infection in more than 95% of cases. Patients who have undergone these treatments have noticed several side effects, these include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. However, these effects are mild and do not prevent patients from continuing their treatment.
During treatment, patients must absolutely avoid unprotected sexual intercourse. We also recommend that you encourage your partner to take a screening test. You will need to have further tests three months after the end of treatment to check if the infection has been treated.
What steps should be taken to prevent Chlamydia?
Fortunately, there are several methods to prevent this type of infection.
Always use a condom during sex, even if your partner is using birth control. Condoms effectively protect you from Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Ask your partner about his health before having sex.
Limit the number of your sexual partners.
If you think you have a sexually transmitted disease, you should avoid having sex until you have been tested and have tested negative.
Conclusion
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world, so now is the time to take this infection seriously, just like other infections of the same type. Today, many treatments are available to cure most sexually transmitted diseases, but we must also take certain measures to limit their transmission.
As we have indicated in this article, the absence of symptoms during the first phase of the disease complicates the diagnosis of Chlamydia. Subsequently, however, this infection can cause very bothersome symptoms that greatly affect your daily life. We therefore recommend that you consult a doctor quickly as soon as you notice the first signs of infection. You can also protect yourself during your sexual intercourse to avoid any risk of contamination. This precaution will allow you to avoid Chlamydia but also all sexually transmitted diseases!