CHLAMYDIA

Though most people who have chlamydia have no symptoms some may also have. Only it appears several weeks after having sex with an infected partner. This may include abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating, for women. For men, they may notice a discharge from their penis, a burning sensation when urinating or pain and swelling in one or both testicles (although this is less common). Men and women can also get infected with chlamydia in their rectum, either by having receptive anal sex, or by spread from another infected site (such as the vagina). While these infections often cause no symptoms, they can cause rectal pain, discharge or bleeding. If you notice such symptoms you should consult your doctor.

DIAGNOSIS

There are laboratory tests to diagnose chlamydia. A urine sample or a cotton swab  may use to get a sample from your vagina to test for chlamydia.

TREATMENT

Chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics. HIV-positive persons with chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV-negative.

To prevent spreading the infection to partners, a person with chlamydia should abstain from sexual activity for 7 days after single dose antibiotics or until completion of a 7-day course of antibiotics. It is important to take all of the medication prescribed. Medication for chlamydia should not be shared with anyone. The medication will not repair any permanent damage done by the disease so it’s better if chlamydia was treated early. A person undergoing treatment should reevaluated by the health care provider if the symptoms continue.

Having multiple chlamydial infections increases a woman’s risk of serious reproductive health complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy. Men and women with chlamydia should be retested about three months after treatment of an initial infection.

Infants infected with chlamydia may develop ophthalmia neonatorum (conjunctivitis) and/or pneumonia. Chlamydial infection in infants can be treated with antibiotics.

The only way to avoid STDs is to not have any vaginal, anal, or oral sex. A sexually active individual may lower the chances of getting chlamydia by having one partner only, who appeared to be negative of any STD, or by using protection such as condoms every time he/she is having sex.