Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmitted disease, especially in sexually active young adults and teenagers.
Symptoms
Most infected people do not show any symptoms and are even unaware they have it. But if symptoms show, it may include:
Swelling and pain in the testicles for men
Burning or pain when urinating
In women, lower abdominal pain, bleeding between menstrual periods, during or after sex bleeding
Unusual discharges from the rectum, vagina or penis
If you think that you have Chlamydia based on the symptoms listed above, visit the nearest STD testing centers to be tested and treated. The earlier you get the treatment, the lesser risk for serious health conditions that could last a lifetime.
Transmittal
Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium that is transmitted through sexual intercourse or contact with genital fluids such as vaginal fluid or semen that is infected.
You can get infected with Chlamydia by:
Getting infected vaginal fluid or semen in your eye
Unprotected oral, vaginal, and anal sex
Genitals coming in contact with an infected person’s genitals even when there is no ejaculation, penetration or orgasm
sex toys sharing that have not been covered with a new condom or washed after every use
infected mother to her newborn during birth
Chlamydia cannot be transmitted by utensil sharing, hugging and kissing, or sharing toilet seats, baths, swimming pools, and towels.
Serious health complications
Although Chlamydia can be easily treated with antibiotics, it can cause serious health conditions if left untreated.
If no treatment is done, other body parts can be infected leading to serious health problems such as reactive arthritis, PID or pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and inflammation of the testicles or epididymo-orchitis.
These are the reasons why a test and treatment as early as possible is very important if you suspect that you have been infected with Chlamydia.
Treatment
Antibiotics can easily treat Chlamydia. It may either be a long course of capsules that needs to be taken for a week or a single dose oral or injectable form.
Sex should be avoided until you or your partner is done with the treatments. If a single dose treatment has been applied, sex should still be avoided for a week.
It is important that your sexual partners and current partner that you’ve had sexual relations within the past six months could also be tested and treated to stop the infection from spreading.
The health centers, testing centers or your health care provider can help you get in touch with your sexual partners. The clinics or health centers can either send them a letter or speak to them about the need to be tested and treated. The letter will not state your name to protect your privacy.
Prevention
A sexually active individual will most likely be infected with Chlamydia. The risk will be higher for those who do not use protective barriers such as a condom during every sexual activity or having multiple partners.
Get tested and treated as soon as you suspect that you have been infected with Chlamydia or any other STD.