If you’re sexually active, you need to be practicing safe sex to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases. At the end of the day, our health is more important than any temporary happiness sex may give us. One common STD is chlamydia, and it affects both men and women. In fact, it is the most widely spread STD in the world. This article will provide you with information about the causes, symptoms and treatments for chlamydia. So what are you waiting for? Read on!
What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a common STD caused by a bacteria. People who have it don’t show any outward symptoms during the early stages, so many don’t take it seriously. However, it can cause a lot of health complications down the road, including reduced fertility and dangerous pregnancies.
One of the common myths about chlamydia is that there is no cure, but antiobiotics are helpful in freeing yourself form it. That being said, long-term exposure without treatment can have more long-lasting effects. If you are having sex, and especially unprotected sex, it’s important you get regular sexual health screenings.
In many cases, symptoms rarely appear, particular in women. This is why it’s so easy to transmit it without being aware that you have it. Men may notice a white liquid in their urine. If you have any signs or symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of the Chlamydia
Even though most people with chlamydia don’t display any symptoms, others may begin to develop after 5 to 10 days after exposure.
Symptoms in Women
These include:
- Needing to urinate more frequently
- Vaginal or anal swelling
- Burning while urinating
- Painful intercourse
- Bleeding after intercourse
- Low-grade fever
- Bleeding between menstrual periods
- Abdominal pain
Symptoms in Men
These include:
- Swelling of the testicles
- Tenderness in the testicles
- Penile discharge
- Burning and pain while urinating
If the rectum gets affected in men and women, it may cause anal irritation. However, most people have no symptoms at all.
Causes of Chlamydia
The condition may be spread by unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected person. As most chlamydial infections present no symptoms in at least 70% of carriers, an infected person may pass it on to their respective sexual partners without knowing.
Chlamydia cannot be spread through:
- Sharing a workplace with an infected colleague
- Standing close to a patient, or inhaling the air after they sneeze or a cough
- Touching a surface which has been touched, coughed on or breathed on by an infected person
- Sharing a swimming pool or sauna with an infected person
- Using a toilet seat previously used by an infected person
Preventive Measures of Chlamydia
Some of preventive measures you can take include:
- Regular sexual health screening
- Using a dental dam during oral sex
- Condoms
- Avoiding sex until you are treated
Treatments for Chlamydia
It’s so important to seek treatment for chlamydia in order to avoid long-term consequences like fertility issues or complicated pregnancies. Antibiotics can be very effective if properly administered. Most treatments are in pill for and require follow-up testing after 3-4 months. Some of the treatments for chlamydia include:
- Doxycycline: patients usually take this pill for about a week.
- Azithromycin: a patient with chlamydia will only get one dose of this medicine.
The following antibiotics are recommended alternative treatments:
- Ofloxacin
- Levofloxacin
- Erythromycin
Furthermore, some people may also experience some side effects after taking antibiotics, including:
- Nausea
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
With the right attention, care and treatment, the condition will vanish and the patient will regain his or her original health state.
