Chlamydia is an STI that can often have no symptoms to see or feel. Sometimes the signs are so mild that you won’t notice them at all. This is the reason that chlamydia is such a common infection and can lead to serious conditions. If you do experience any symptoms, they can take a few weeks to show up after you catch this infection. The following symptoms can appear in both women and men:
- Discomfort or burning sensation during urination
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Yellowish vaginal discharge and a strong odour
- Milky or watery discharge from the penis
- Tender or swollen testicles
- Bleeding from the anus
In the event that chlamydia spreads to your eyes, you will experience discharge or redness. Keep in mind that most people won’t feel or see any signs of this infection, hence the reason they should get tested in order to find out for sure.
How does chlamydia spread to others?
If you have chlamydia, you can spread this infection by having oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Similarly, if your partner is infected, he or she can pass on this STI to you. In fact, every time you have unprotected sex, you will be at risk of getting an STD such as chlamydia.
How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed?
Your doctor will take a sample of your urine and isolate the trachomatis bacteria through the microbe in a cup for traces of its DNA. Women will be examined through their cervix and must undergo a vaginal sample swab. For men, a urine test is carried out involving a sample taken from the tube of the penis.
Seeking Chlamydia Treatment
Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics. Even HIV-positive patients can receive the same chlamydia treatment as those who are HIV-negative. Infected people should refrain from sexual activity for one week until they have completed their antibiotic treatment course. Although antibiotics can stop the infection, it will not repair any damage that may have been caused by this disease. In the event that symptoms continue for more than a few days post-treatment, the patient should refer to their doctor immediately.
What Happens If You Don’t Seek Treatment?
If you don’t get tested and seek immediate treatment, this infection can often go unnoticed and lead to serious health complications. Untreated women’s uterus and fallopian tubes can get damaged and cause pelvic inflammatory disease. While this infection may not show any symptoms, some women can experience abdominal pain. The consequences of not seeking treatment can lead to permanent damage to the reproductive system and even an ectopic pregnancy.
How To Reduce The Risk Of Getting Chlamydia?
The only way to avoid this infection is by not having unprotected sex. Sexually active people should lower their chances of getting an STI by getting regularly tested and using latex condoms. Remember that chlamydia can infect anyone, so no-one is immune to this sexually transmitted disease. It is, therefore, imperative that people practice safe sex at all times.
