Chlamydia is the most frequent bacterial STD that results from the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. It is not gender-related, though; it is more common among women, perhaps due to multiple screenings than men. It is not a new infection, consisting of the following forms: In many cases, unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex transmits it; serious health complications result. One can even have Chlamydia without knowing it; this is because, most of the time, there aren’t even symptoms!
This review will mainly cover the symptoms, the test, and Chlamydia medication before the hope of enhancing the knowledge leading to proper early infection test.
Chlamydia Symptoms
It belongs to infections that many people go through but do not even know they are infected. But if the symptoms are present, then the symptoms are different in both genders. Some of these symptoms in ladies might include; foul-smelling vaginal discharge or itching, a burning sensation during urine as well as during intercourse (dyspareunia). With the extension to the fallopian tubes, this infection might rise to pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID) presenting with features of abdomen pain, elevated temperature, and, in severe cases, infertility.
In males, it may present as a clear, thick fluid from the penis, a burning sensation while passing urine, and sometimes painful swellings in the testicles (epididymitis). It is essential because Chlamydia can sometimes affect the rectum causing pain, discharge, or bleeding in the event of anal intercourse. The infection is usually unnoticeable in most cases, yet if not treated, it could cause chronic pelvic pain in women and reactive arthritis in men and women.
Chlamydia Diagnosis
Diagnosing Chlamydia is never tough because the tests can be found in different centers. Most of the time, an NAAT is done (nucleic acid amplification). This method involves trying to look for the damaged DNA of the bacterium. It may include blood sample analysis or the simplest things like urine samples or swabs from the infected area, such as the cervix in females or the Urethra and rectum in both sexes. In females, this is done using a swab from either cervical walls or vaginal walls in the course of the pelvic examination, while for males, it is either a sample of urine or a swab via the walls of the Urethra.
Any sexually active man or woman, especially those below the age of 25 years, should have a Chlamydia test of which they may not necessarily have symptoms of the disease. Nevertheless, all the possibilities of complications are eliminated when this disease is diagnosed at an initial stage, and the distribution of this infection is prevented to a large extent. Pregnant women should undergo Chlamydia tests also because having a preterm delivery or getting other eye infections and pneumonia characteristics in newborns are some of the worst possible outcomes of untreated Chlamydia.
Chlamydia Treatment
However, it should be noted that Chlamydia does not pose a serious threat since it can be treated with antibiotics if the infected individual has not reached the second stage of the disease. The primary treatment is usually azithromycin, given as a single dose, or doxycycline for a week. Both are very worthy antibiotics; they will nail and eradicate the infection if used as prescribed. As you know, Chlamydia is very infective; therefore, STD partners of the infected individual must also be treated to avoid re-infecting the patient and transmitting the bacteria of infecting another person.
Engaging in sexual activities during the treatment period is not advisable and at least for a week after treatment without signs that the infection has been eradicated, usually one week after the use of antibiotics. If symptoms persist, other than that, no rechecking is necessary. However, clients should understand that they should take a test after three months of the treatment to check if they are infected again.
Final Thoughts
Chlamydia is relativity a common STI, which may be symptomless; the lack of diagnosis and early treatment may lead to some severe complications. However, one must remember that regular testing is essential, especially for sexually active persons, in order to avoid future complications due to severe medical conditions, not to mention halting the mode of infection. The understanding of Chlamydia, when diagnosed early and treated with the right antibiotics, will go a long way toward improving the reproductive health and general health of those infected. Education and the encouragement of safe sex are vital to ensuring that this standard but preventable disease has a minimal impact.
