Chlamydia Infection (sexually transmitted disease): Meaning, Effects, Symptoms, Treatment

Have you heard of Chlamydia infection? This article will explain everything you need to know about sexually transmitted disease.

What is chlamydia infection?

Chlamydia infection is caused by bacteria tha is frequently form from sexually transmitted disease (STI). People with chlamydia infection frequently don't show any symptoms for the first several weeks or months after contracting the parasite.

About 90% of women and 70% of men who have an STI don't show any symptoms. Even so, chlamydia can cause health issues down the road.

You should receive chlamydia infection screenings and chat with your doctor or healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.

Photo credit: TeachMeObGyn

Having chlamydia infection might result in a vaginal discharge. It may look like pus or mucous at first glance.

Chlamydia infection symptoms may resemble those of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To better comprehend the apparent impacts of various STIs, take a look at these photos.

Causes of chlamydia infection

One of the most common ways chlamydia infection can be transmitted is through unprotected sexual intercourse. However, it does not have to be penetrated in order to be contracted.

Genital contact has the potential to spread germs. Anal sex is another way that it can be acquired.

Chlamydia infection can be passed from mother to child during delivery. Chlamydia testing is usually included in prenatal testing, but it's never a bad idea to check with an OB-GYN to make sure.

The eyes can become infected with chlamydia by oral or vaginal contact, but this is rare.

If you've had Chlamydia infection in the past, but were able to treat it, you still have a chance of contracting it again. Learn how chlamydia infection is spread from one person to the next.

Other conditions that can trigger  chlamydia infection include:

1. Irritant illness of the uterus
2. pneumonia
3. inflamed cervical discs
4. nodes that have grown larger in the groin

You cannot spread chlamydia via kissing, sharing a drink, or embracing someone who has the disease.

Ways of transmitting Chlamydia

Ways of transmitting chlamydia disease include the following:

• without the use of a condom or other barrier device with someone who is infected with the disease
• from the mother to child if infected
• Even if the male partner does not ejaculate during intercourse without a condom

It is possible to get chlamydia even if you have already been diagnosed and treated for the condition. You or your spouse should see a doctor as soon as you or they develop any signs of chlamydia.

Symptoms of chlamydia infection in males

The signs of chlamydia can go unnoticed by many men. The majority of males show no signs or symptoms of any kind.

Symptoms normally develop 1 to 3 weeks after transmission, on average.

Chlamydia symptoms in men commonly include:

1. The testicles are hurting
2. urinating causes a burning feeling
3. Penile effusion that is either yellow or green in color.
4. lower abdomen discomfort

A chlamydia infection can also occur in the anus. Discharge, discomfort, and bleeding from the affected area are the most common symptoms in this situation.

If you have oral intercourse with someone who has chlamydia, you increase your risk of contracting the disease. Sore throats, coughs, and fevers are all possible symptoms. If you have germs in your throat, you may not even be aware that you have contracted chlamydia infection.

Symptoms of chlamydia infection in women

When it comes to Chlamydia infection, it's commonly referred to as the "silent disease." Chlamydia patients may not show any symptoms at all.

When a woman is infected with an STI, she may not notice any symptoms for several weeks.

Chlamydia infection can cause a variety of symptoms in females, the most prevalent of which are:

1. painstaking sex encounters (dyspareunia)
2. discharge from the urethra
3. urinating causes a burning feeling
4. lower abdomen discomfort
5. cervicitis, or cervix inflammation (cervicitis)
6. spotting in between cycles

If chlamydia infection spreads to the fallopian tubes, it can result in a condition known as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in some women (PID).

PID is a life-threatening condition.

Common symptoms of PID

1. fever
2. significant discomfort in the lower abdomen and/or pelvis
3. nausea
4. abnormal-period bleeding that is not unusual

It is possible for chlamydia infection to enter the rectum. If a woman has a chlamydia infection in her rectum, it may not show any symptoms.Chlamydia infection of the rectum is known as rectal infection.

Symptoms of a rectal infection may include pain, discharge, or bleeding in the rectal region.

Women who engage in oral intercourse with an infected partner run the risk of contracting a throat infection. Cough, fever, and a sore throat are all signs of chlamydia infection in the throat, which can be contracted without the sufferer being aware of the infection.

If you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms, don't hesitate to get help from a doctor or healthcare expert.

Treatment for chlamydia infection

In most cases, chlamydia infection can be treated without much difficulty.

• Antibiotics are used to treat it because it is bacterial.
• One of the most common ways to administer azithromycin is to give it in one large dose. It takes roughly a week of twice-daily Doxycycline administration to achieve the full antibacterial effect.
• In some cases, more antibiotics may be prescribed. Regardless of whether the antibiotic is administered, dosing guidelines must be strictly followed to ensure that the infection is completely eliminated.
• Even with single-dose drugs, this process can take up to two weeks.
• Having sex while undergoing treatment is a bad idea. It's possible to re-infect yourself with chlamydia even after treating a previous illness if you're re-exposed.
• In spite of the fact that chlamydia infection can be cured, it's still critical to take precautions to avoid recurrence.
• To avoid long-term effects, including fertility issues and chronic inflammation, chlamydia infection must be treated.

How to diagnose chlamydia infection

The doctor may order a physical exam if there are signs and symptoms chlamydia infection. This allows them to look for signs of illness, such as drainage, sores, or other strange places.

A vaginal swab and urine test are the best ways to diagnose chlamydia infection in women and men, respectively.

The anus and throat may also be swabbed if there's a likelihood the infection is there.

It's possible that the results won't be available for several days. Call the doctor's office if you have any further questions.

A follow-up appointment and treatment options will be addressed if the test results are positive.

There are a variety of approaches to conducting STI testing.

Find out more about the different types and what they can tell your doctor.

Effect of Untreated chlamydia infection in females.

• If chlamydia isn't treated, scarring of the fallopian tubes can lead to infertility in women.
• Chlamydia infection can be passed to newborns by infected pregnant women after delivery, resulting in eye infections and pneumonia in the babies.

Effect of untreated chlamydia infection in men

If chlamydia infection is not treated, it can have negative consequences for men as well.

The tube that maintains the testicles in place, the epididymis, can become inflamed, resulting in pain in the male reproductive system. In medical terms, it's called epididymitis.

If the infection gets into the prostate, it can lead to a fever, difficult urination, and back pain. Male chlamydial urethritis is another possible side effect.

When chlamydia infection goes untreated, these are some of the most prevalent side effects. It's critical to get medical assistance as soon as possible. There are few long-term health consequences for patients who receive timely treatment for their symptoms.

If chlamydia infection is left untreated it can also lead to long term complications such as: 

Throat Chlamydia infection

STIs can also be transmitted and contracted during oral sex, as well as during sex.

Chlamydia infection can be spread through direct oral contact, such as kissing or talking.

There are no indications of chlamydia contracted during oral sex. Like chlamydial infections in the urethra or urethra, symptoms may not always occur.

Chlamydia infection in the throat can cause the following symptoms:

1. Coughing
2. A bad cough
3. Sneezing and scratchy throat
4. Fever

The throat might also become infected with other STIs. Throat-specific STIs each have their own set of symptoms and safety issues.

Chlamydia infection in the eye

The anus, throat, and even the eyes can be infected with chlamydia, which is most commonly seen in the vaginal region. Direct or indirect contact with the bacterium might result in an infection of the eyes.

If, for example, you touch your eye without washing your hands, the infection might spread from the genitals to the eye.

You may notice the following symptoms if you've got an eye infection caused by the chlamydia bacteria:

1. Redness
2. Swelling
3. Itching
4. Irritation
5. Secretion or secretion of mucus
6. A heightened ability to see in the dark (photophobia)

Chlamydia infection in the eye can cause blindness if left untreated. The infection can be treated, and early treatment is essential to prevent further consequences.

A more common eye infection, such as conjunctivitis, can be mistaken for chlamydia in the eye. To be aware of the signs and symptoms of chlamydia infection, it's important to understand the differences between the two.