What to Know about Chlamydia

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It can affect anyone who is sexually active, both men and women, and can infect various parts of the body, including:

• Vagina
• Penis
• Anus
• Mouth/throat
• Eyes

Though treatable, chlamydia can be asymptomatic, which means many people don't realize they have it. Untreated, it can lead to serious health issues, such as infertility.

Symptoms of Chlamydia

Many individuals do not show symptoms, making the infection hard to notice. When symptoms do appear, they can be different for men and women.

In Men

• Pain during urination
• Discharge from the penis
• Pain or tenderness in the testicles
• Irritation at the penis tip
• Spotting between periods or after intercourse

In Women

• Changes in discharge
• Pain during urination
• Lower abdominal pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Spotting between periods or after intercourse

For infections in the rectum, throat, or eyes, symptoms will be specific to those areas.

How Do You Get Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is spread through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.

The best way to prevent chlamydia is through safe sexual practices. This includes avoiding contact with infected bodily fluids by using barrier condoms and/or abstaining from sexual activity with individuals who have not been recently tested for STIs. This also includes avoiding sharing sex toys and/or thoroughly washing between uses.

Diagnosis

If you experience any abnormal symptoms (such as those listed above), it is important to see a healthcare provider in order to get tested for chlamydia and other STIs. However, since chlamydia often occurs without any symptoms, it is often diagnosed only after routine sexual health testing. This is why it's important to undergo regular sexual health testing, particularly between sexual partners.

To diagnose the infection, a healthcare provider will likely assess your symptoms, complete a physical exam of the genital region, and collect a sample either via urine or a swab of the infected area. If the sample comes back positive for chlamydia, your healthcare provider will then outline your treatment.

Treatment

Chlamydia is easily treatable with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic and duration of treatment will depend on the individual's specific situation. Here are the commonly prescribed antibiotics:

The antibiotics used for treating gonorrhea have changed over the years due to increasing resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to various antibiotics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a dual therapy approach consisting of:

• Azithromycin
  Typically, a single dose of 1 gram (1000 mg) taken orally is sufficient. It's convenient as a one-time treatment, but you must follow through with the full dose for it to be effective.
• Doxycycline
  Usually prescribed as 100 mg taken orally twice a day for 7 days. It requires adherence to a week-long regimen, taking a total of 14 doses.

Alternative antibiotics may include:

• Erythromycin base, taken orally four times a day for 7 days.
• Erythromycin ethylsuccinate, taken orally four times a day for 7 days.
• Levofloxacin, taken orally once daily for 7 days.
• Ofloxacin, taken orally once daily for 7 days.

It’s crucial to complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms disappear. Avoid sexual contact until the treatment is complete and symptoms have resolved.

All sexual partners should be notified, tested, and treated if necessary to prevent the spread and recurrence of the infection.

After treatment, a follow-up test (test of cure) is sometimes recommended, especially in pregnant women, to ensure the infection is fully cleared.

Remember, while antibiotics can cure chlamydia, they cannot repair any permanent damage done by the disease. Thus, early detection and treatment are important. Regular screening and responsible sexual behaviors can help prevent the spread of chlamydia.