Chlamydia: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes And Treatment Of This STD
Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs They are a global pandemic that has affected humans for centuries. The most well-known and worrying currently is HIV, which also has no known cure at the moment, but it is not the only STD that exists.
Gonorrhea or syphilis are also old acquaintances of humanity (the second has been responsible for the death of a large number of historical figures) although fortunately, despite being highly dangerous, today they have treatment.
But perhaps the most common sexually transmitted disease, and at the same time much less known than the previous ones, is chlamydia It is about the latter that we are going to talk about in this article.
Chlamydia or chlamydiasis is, as we have mentioned previously, a sexually transmitted disease (or sexually transmitted infection) caused by the infection generated by the bacteria. Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the most common STD or STI, being present in a high percentage of the population and in many cases existing asymptomatically. Although it is considered a minor venereal disease by the majority of the population, the truth is that It can have severe consequences for those who suffer from it if they do not receive treatment
This infection can occur in both men and women in the genitals (urethra or uterus), anus or throat depending on the route of infection. Young people, especially women, are at greater risk of contracting it. people with multiple sexual partners who do not use a condom or who have previously had another sexually transmitted infection.
It is a type of infection that is little discussed at a social level, and it is common for infected people to present symptoms (this being one of the reasons why it is more prevalent, since by not noticing anything the infected continue to spread the disease).
Likewise, one aspect to take into account is that chlamydia usually occurs together with other sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, and the fact that facilitates the risk of the sufferer contracting another STD including HIV.
Main symptoms and phases
One of the main problems with chlamydia is that in a high number of cases the infection is silent, with no noticeable symptoms appearing. However, this does not mean that the infection does not progress, and could cause the same health problems as the rest of the population if they are not treated.
In those subjects in whom chlamydia presents symptoms, symptoms differ slightly between men and women
In the case of men, it is common for infection to appear in the urethra between one and three weeks after sexual contact, manifested through pain when urinating and the secretion of a milky substance (which can be whitish or transparent), especially through the mornings. These secretions can impregnate and stain underwear. There may be inflammation in the testicles and pain in the penis If sex has been anal or oral, the infection appears in these areas. In the eyes it can cause conjunctivitis.
In the case of women, it is not uncommon for there to be alterations in the flow in terms of timing, quantity or even color (yellowish). This discharge may have a strong odor characteristic. Pain usually appears during intercourse or urination.
In summary, in both men and women it is common for pain or stinging to appear when urinating or having sexual intercourse, as well as abdominal pain. The presence of milky secretions on the penis in men or untimely vaginal bleeding or yellowish discharge in the case of women is not uncommon. In the case of anal, oral or ocular infection, it is not uncommon for pain, itching, secretions, bleeding or inflammation to appear in these areas. These infections can cause episodes of fever
Something very common in sexually transmitted diseases is the lack of knowledge on the part of the majority of the population regarding the routes of contagion that exist. In the case of chlamydia, it is transmitted in most cases through sexual contact with an infected person, regardless of whether there is ejaculation or not
Infection can occur when there is vaginal or anal penetration, as well as oral penetration, without any type of barrier method (condom or other barrier methods). This last detail is important, since a large number of people are unaware of the risk of infection through this route.
In addition to this type of contact, infection can also occur if semen or vaginal fluid comes into contact with other mucous membranes, like the eyes, when touched with hands impregnated with said fluids. Likewise, chlamydia is an infection that can be transmitted to a baby during childbirth, if the mother is infected.
Other types of contact, such as air contact or coming into contact with saliva in the case of sneezing, kissing or drinking from the same glass, do not allow the spread of this disease. It is also important to keep in mind that overcoming this disease does not provide immunity before it, so new sexual contacts with infected people can generate reinfection.
Consequences
Seen up to this point, it may seem that chlamydia is not an excessively serious disease, but the truth is that it can have very relevant consequences for health and personal well-being, or can even cause death in some cases.
And untreated chlamydia can end up generating pelvic inflammatory disease capable of causing infertility, and can even degenerate into an ectopic pregnancy (in which the fertilized egg develops outside the uterus and generally in the fallopian tubes, something that could burst said area and could lead to death due to internal bleeding. ) in the case of women.
In the case of transmission to a fetus during childbirth, chlamydia can cause problems with eye infections and even pneumonia in the child, or even the birth of low-weight babies. Also greatly increases the chance of abortion
Treatment
One of the reasons why chlamydia is often undervalued is the fact that today It has a curative treatment that can be applied relatively easily However, this treatment will cure the chlamydia infection but not any other damage it has caused.
Mainly the treatment of chlamydia is based on the administration of antibiotics, with different modalities (there is even a single-dose version). The other great pillar that must be taken into account when eradicating this disease is prevention: it is necessary to use condoms or barrier methods when we have vaginal, anal or oral sex when we are not in a monogamous relationship or have multiple sexual partners.
Likewise, it is advisable to get tested from time to time if we are at risk, if we are planning to conceive or if there is a pregnancy in progress. In case of infection, sexual relations should be avoided until treatment has been completed. The sexual partner(s) should also be treated even if they do not show symptoms. It is advisable to get tested about three months later having finished it.
