What Is Chlamydia
What Is Chlamydia (NGU)? What are we talking about?
Well, chlamydia is some times mispelled and some of you might think that the correct spelling is clamidia, chlamidia, clamydia, clymidia, chlymidia, clamidia or chlamidia. But, one thing for sure, it is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Chlamydia trachomatis, or simply chlamydia, is a bacterial infection caused by pathogen or the germ Chlamydia trachomatis. This pathogen can infect the genitals of both men and women, but can also infect the throat, rectum and even ones eyes.
Chlamydia is one of the top STD’s in America and part of the reason why, is that 50 percent who are infected with chlamydia, show no symptoms. This means that more than likely, the chlamydia infection goes untreated and spreads to more victims.
What Is Chlamydia-How Does Some One Get Chlamydia
Chlamydia is mainly passed through sexual activity. It does not matter if it is vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex (although this is less common), sharing sex toys, or touching parts of the body with fingers (for example touching the eyes). That is how contagious this germ Chlamydia is…
You can NOT catch chlamydia from simple kissing, sharing baths, towels, cups, or from toilet seats. Those are old wives tales.
What Is Chlamydia Prevention
- Abstinence from sex, is the top form of prevention
- Using latex condoms every time you have oral, vaginal or anal sex
- Mutual Monogamy-Having sex with only one uninfected partner whom only has sex with you
- For Extra Protection-Use water based spermicides can be used along with latex condoms for additional protection during vaginal intercourse. The use of spermicide is not recommended nor found to be effective for oral or anal intercourse
- Have regular check ups, especially if you are sexually active
- If you have an STD, don’t have sex in ny form (oral, vaginal, anal) until all partners have been examined and treated if infected
- Prompt, qualified and appropriate medical intervention, treatment and follow-up are important steps in breaking the disease cycle.
- Know your partner(s). Careful consideration and open communication between partners may protect all partners involved from infection. Ask them if they have a STD.
What Is The Incubation Period of Chlamydia
7-21 Days
Signs and Symptoms of Chlamydia
Two thirds of the women and one half of the men who have chlamydia have no symptoms showing at all and others have symptoms so mild they do not noticeable them.
Chlamydia Symptoms for Women
* Unusual vaginal discharge
* Pain or a burning sensation when passing urine
* Bleeding between periods
* Pain during sex or bleeding after sex
* Low abdominal pain sometimes with nausea
Chlamydia Symptoms for Men
* white/cloudy, watery discharge from the tip of the penis
* pain or a burning sensation when passing urine
* testicular pain and or swelling
How Is Testing For Chlamydia Done
A simple urine test and a swab test collecting fluid from the penis or vagina. The swab test is obtained by briefly placing a swab in the opening of the urethra at the tip of the penis. This causes some brief discomfort and a feeling of a burning sensation.
Treatment of Chlamydia…Is there a Cure for Chlamydia
Chlamydia is simple to treat with antibiotics, either a single dose or a treatment course lasting up to two weeks.
Treatments of Chlamydia usually include:
* Doxycycline 100 mg 2-3 times a day for 10-14 days, or
* Zithromax® (azithromycin) 1.0 gm (4 x 250 mg) a single dose, or
* Zithromax® Z-pak® (azithromycin) – 500mg on day 1, followed by 1 tab (250mg) once a day for 4 more days
To avoid being infection again, any sexual partners should be treated too. Or the same problem will come back. Treating gonorrhea is advocated for patients being treated for chlamydia, and vice versa. Most infected have a 50 percent chance of having both infections.
Treatment of Gonorrhea:
* Cipro® XR 500 mg a single dose, or
* Levaquin® 500 mg a single dose, or
* Tequin® 400 mg a single dose;
Once chlamydia has been successfully treated, it won’t come back unless a new infection is caught.
What If Chlamydia Is Not Treated
Without treatment, chlamydia infection can spread to other parts of the body causing damage and serious long term health problems. This is not a disease to prolong not getting treatment.
For Women
Chlamydia Can Cause:
* pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to:
* Ectopic pregnancy-a pregnancy outside the womb)
* Blocked fallopian tubes-the tubes which carry the egg from the ovaries to the womb, which can result in reduced fertility or infertility
* Long term pelvic pain
* Early miscarriage or premature birth
For Men
Chlamydia can lead to:
* Painful inflammation of the testicles, which can result in reduced fertility or sterility
* Reiter’s syndrome-inflammation of the joints, urethra and eyes
We hope that this article has given you lots of information about “What Is Chlamydia.” For more information about Chlamydia and Genital Warts, go to our HOME PAGE.
