Chlamydia is probably the most incessantly reported sexually transmitted an infection (STI) in the US. In 2022, greater than 1.6 million infections have been reported, in line with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC). Nevertheless, in lots of circumstances, these with chlamydia could expertise few or no signs, so it’s very seemingly that complete infections are increased than reported every year.
The excellent news is that chlamydia is well handled. However when left untreated, chlamydia can result in different extra severe reproductive well being points for each women and men.
So, how do you get chlamydia? How are you aware you have got it with out signs? Or in case you are experiencing unusual signs, what indicators of chlamydia must you search for? And the way is chlamydia handled? Beneath, we reply all these questions and extra.
What chlamydia is and how one can get it
Chlamydia is brought on by a micro organism known as Chlamydia trachomatis, and is carried in genital fluids. It may be unfold via intercourse with somebody who has it and get in touch with with contaminated genital fluids. You’re extra more likely to get chlamydia in case you don’t use safety (like a condom) or have a number of sexual companions.
Anybody can get chlamydia, however in line with the CDC, it’s commonest in younger individuals, particularly younger girls aged 15-24. That’s why it’s necessary to start the STI and STD conversation with kids early, to allow them to be properly knowledgeable about sexual well being at a younger age.
Chlamydia can’t be unfold via informal contact
Chlamydia can’t be handed via kissing or hugging, or from sharing baths, towels, swimming pools or bathroom seats. Nevertheless, it may be unfold via sexual contact, even when there isn’t penetration. As an illustration, in case you or your associate have chlamydia and your genitals come into contact with one another, there’s a threat of an infection.
Frequent signs of chlamydia in women and men
Since chlamydia causes few to no signs in most individuals, you might move it to another person with out understanding. And if it goes on untreated, it could result in extra severe well being issues, particularly in girls. When you do begin having signs, they might not present up for just a few weeks and even months.
Chlamydia mostly happens within the urethra in each women and men, or the cervix in females, however it could additionally happen within the rectum, eyes and the throat.
Chlamydia signs in girls
When signs of chlamydia in girls are current, they’ll feel and appear just like different situations, like a urinary tract infection (UTI), and will embrace:
- Uncommon vaginal discharge that’s white, yellow or grey
- Vaginal discharge that could be sturdy smelling
- Itching or burning in or across the vagina
- Pus-like discharge in urine
- Ache, stinging or burning when peeing
- Ache throughout intercourse as a result of an infection making the cervix extra delicate
- Bleeding after intercourse
- Uncommon bleeding between intervals that may be purple, brown or pinkish
- Cramping, boring or sharp belly ache
Chlamydia signs in males
Chlamydia signs males could expertise embrace:
- Ache, burning or stinging whereas peeing
- Burning or itching within the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder and out of the physique)
- Discharge from the penis that’s separate from urine that may be thick and cloudy, and brown or yellow in coloration
- Testicle ache (that is unusual)
Signs of chlamydia in different areas of the physique
Each women and men can get chlamydia of their rectum, from receptive anal sexual activity. It could actually additionally unfold from one other contaminated web site just like the vagina. Signs embrace:
- Discharge
- Rectal ache
- Bleeding
Chlamydia can happen within the eyes via contact with contaminated genital fluid, and end in chlamydial conjunctivitis and trachoma, a watch illness that may trigger blindness. Signs embrace:
- Irritation
- Swollen eyelids
- Redness within the eyes
- Discharge
- Teary eyes
- Swollen lymph nodes across the eyes
- Photophobia (increased sensitivity to gentle)
Chlamydia can happen within the throat from oral intercourse. Typically, individuals who get chlamydia of their throat don’t expertise signs, and in the event that they do, it’s normally a sore throat. Different signs can embrace:
- Swollen tonsils
- Mouth ache
- Redness within the mouth
- Bumps on the tongue
- White spots on the tonsils or again of the throat
- Delicate fever
- Fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes within the neck
- Sores across the lips
While you get an an infection, there’s an incubation interval. That is the variety of days between once you’re contaminated with one thing (like chlamydia) and once you may begin to have signs of the an infection.
It’s not identified precisely how lengthy the incubation interval for chlamydia is, and because you won’t develop signs in any respect, specialists suggest that you simply wait to check till 7-21 days after you assume you’ll have been uncovered. This reduces the prospect of a false adverse even in case you do have it.
When you begin to have signs, or in case you’ve had unprotected vaginal, anal or oral intercourse with somebody you already know has chlamydia, you need to check as quickly as you may after the incubation interval.
As well as, the US Preventive Companies Process Drive (USPSTF) recommends yearly chlamydia screenings for:
- Sexually lively females, together with pregnant females, ages 24 and youthful
- Sexually lively girls ages 25 and older, together with pregnant girls, who’re at elevated threat for an infection, which incorporates having a earlier or coexisting STI, a brand new or multiple intercourse associate, or a intercourse associate with an STI
The USPSTF doesn’t presently suggest testing for chlamydia in case you’re not at elevated threat. Understand that these are simply suggestions, so discuss to your well being care supplier to debate your choices and work out what’s finest for you and your sexual well being.
What occurs throughout a check for chlamydia?
There are just a few methods that you could get examined for chlamydia. For each women and men, the most typical is a urine check, the place a pattern of urine is analyzed in a lab to see if the an infection is current.
One other method to check is with a swab. A pattern from the vagina, cervix, anus or mouth is collected on a swab, after which examined in a lab. For ladies, this may be achieved throughout a routine Pap test.
There are additionally at-home tests accepted by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA). With these assessments, you acquire a swab or urine pattern at residence and ship it to a lab to be analyzed. These assessments are correct, fast and personal, however they’re not meant to switch a go to to your physician. They’re primarily meant for individuals who don’t have signs. When you’re experiencing signs, it’s necessary to speak along with your supplier instantly and get examined in a lab.
Getting handled for chlamydia
Chlamydia is very treatable with the best antibiotic prescribed by your physician. This could possibly be both a single-dose injection or a 7-day course of antibiotics.
If in case you have a single-dose therapy, it’s suggested you not have intercourse for seven days after. And in case you are prescribed a course of antibiotics, it’s really useful you not have intercourse till your therapy is accomplished and your signs are gone – in case you are experiencing any.
It is also really useful that you simply retest about three months after you full therapy to ensure the an infection is gone. When you’re nonetheless experiencing signs just a few days after you obtain therapy, you need to make an appointment to speak to your physician.
Potential well being dangers when chlamydia goes untreated
If you’re experiencing signs or assume you’ll have been involved with somebody who has chlamydia, it’s necessary to get examined, identified and handled as quickly as you may. Untreated chlamydia can result in extreme well being issues, particularly in girls.
Untreated chlamydia in girls could cause these situations
- Pelvic inflammatory illness (PID) – This will happen when an untreated STI damages reproductive organs, and may result in infertility and continual pelvic ache. It could actually additionally block fallopian tubes, which may trigger an ectopic being pregnant, the place the embryo implants exterior of the uterus.
- Being pregnant issues – When left untreated, chlamydia can result in untimely delivery. It may also be handed on from a pregnant lady to her child throughout supply, inflicting neonatal conjunctivitis, pneumonia or infections within the child’s genitals.
- Infertility – Untreated chlamydia could cause everlasting injury to the vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes, making it troublesome to turn into pregnant.
Untreated chlamydia in males could cause these situations
- Diminished fertility – Untreated chlamydia can hurt sperm, which may make it troublesome to conceive.
- Epididymitis – That is when an untreated an infection causes a tube at the back of the testicles to turn into swollen and painful.
Untreated chlamydia may also enhance the possibilities of reactive arthritis – the place joint ache and swelling are triggered by an untreated STI or one other an infection – and enhance the possibilities of HIV, particularly if one among your signs is the presence of sores.
Defend your self from chlamydia
When you’re sexually lively, being in a long-term, monogamous relationship and utilizing safety each time you interact in sexual exercise will cut back your threat of chlamydia. When you assume you’ve been uncovered, testing for chlamydia and different STIs is straightforward – screening may be achieved with a easy check at any of our primary care clinics.
Ladies may also be screened at HealthPartners Health Center for Women, Park Nicollet Ladies’s Heart or with any of our HealthPartners and Park Nicollet OB-GYN doctors.
Digital care is feasible, too. With Virtuwell, our 24/7 on-line clinic, you may be identified and prescribed therapy for over 60 situations, together with chlamydia.
