Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is one of the most common STIs in the world, and it can affect both men and women. Chlamydia is usually asymptomatic, which means that most people who have it do not experience any symptoms. If left untreated, it can cause serious complications, including infertility.
Symptoms
Most people with chlamydia do not experience any symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Painful urination
- Abnormal vaginal discharge in women
- Painful sex in women
- Discharge from the penis in men
- Pain in the testicles in men
- Burning and itching around the opening of the penis in men
Symptoms usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after being infected, but they can take up to several months to appear.
What Causes Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can also be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.
Chlamydia in throat
Chlamydia can be transmitted through oral sex and can infect the throat. This is known as pharyngeal chlamydia. Chlamydia in the throat is often asymptomatic, which means that most people who have it do not experience any symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swelling in the tonsils
If you think you may have chlamydia in your throat, it is important to talk to your doctor. They can perform a physical exam and order tests to confirm the diagnosis. Chlamydia in the throat is treated with antibiotics.
Who’s Affected by Chlamydia?
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of contracting chlamydia. However, certain groups of people are at a higher risk, including:
- People who have multiple sexual partners
- People who have unprotected sex
- People who have a history of STIs
- People who are younger, as chlamydia is more common in people under the age of 25
- People who live in areas with a high prevalence of STIs
Diagnosing Chlamydia
If you are sexually active and think you may be at risk of chlamydia, it is important to get tested. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and may also order one or more of the following tests:
- Urine test: This test involves collecting a urine sample and testing it for the presence of chlamydia bacteria.
- Swab test: This test involves collecting a sample of fluid from the cervix in women or the urethra in men. The sample is then tested for chlamydia bacteria.
- Blood test: This test involves collecting a blood sample and testing it for antibodies to chlamydia bacteria.
Treating Chlamydia
Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. It is important to take all of the prescribed medication as directed and to avoid sexual contact until treatment is complete. If you have chlamydia, it is also important to notify any sexual partners so that they can be tested and treated as well.
When can I have sex again after my chlamydia treatment?
Your doctor will typically recommend that you wait at least 7 days after completing treatment before having sex again. This will give the antibiotics time to clear the infection and reduce the risk of transmission to your partner. If you have multiple sexual partners, it is important to notify them of your infection and recommend that they get tested and treated as well.
It is also important to use condoms and other barriers during sexual activity to reduce the risk of re-infection and transmission to your partner. It is also a good idea to get tested again after treatment to ensure that the infection has been fully cleared. If you have any questions or concerns about when you can have sex again after treatment, it is important to talk to your doctor.
Complications of Chlamydia
If left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious complications, including:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women: This is an infection of the reproductive organs that can cause infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain.
- Epididymitis in men: This is an inflammation of the tube that carries sperm from the testicle. It can cause infertility and chronic testicle pain.
- Reactive arthritis: This is a type of autoimmune disorder that can cause joint pain and inflammation.
- Increased risk of HIV: People with chlamydia are at a higher risk of contracting HIV.
Preventing Chlamydia
There are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of contracting chlamydia:
- Use condoms and other barriers during sexual activity: Condoms and other barriers, such as dental dams, can help reduce the risk of STIs by creating a barrier between you and your partner.
- Get tested regularly, especially if you have multiple sexual partners: Getting tested regularly can help you identify and treat any STIs as soon as possible.
- Limit the number of sexual partners you have: The more partners you have, the greater your risk of contracting an STI. Limiting the number of sexual partners you have can help reduce your risk.
- Avoid sharing sex toys: Sharing sex toys can increase the risk of transmission of STIs, including chlamydia.
- Get vaccinated against HPV: HPV is a virus that can cause genital warts and certain types of cancer. The HPV vaccine can help reduce the risk of HPV infection and the complications it can cause.
I’m pregnant. How does chlamydia affect my baby?
If you are pregnant and have chlamydia, it is important to get treated as soon as possible to reduce the risk of complications. Chlamydia can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth. If the baby is infected, it can cause serious health problems, including:
- Eye infections: Chlamydia can cause infections in the baby’s eyes, which can lead to eye damage and vision problems.
- Pneumonia: Chlamydia can cause pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs. It can be severe in newborns and can lead to hospitalization.
- Premature birth: Chlamydia infection can increase the risk of premature birth, which can cause health problems for the baby.