Chlamydia Infection

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that often shows no symptoms, making it particularly dangerous if left untreated. It may lead to serious complications like infertility, chronic pelvic pain, or adverse pregnancy outcomes. This comprehensive guide explains everything about chlamydia infection, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment options. 

What is Chlamydia Infection?

Chlamydia infection is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, making it distinct from viral STIs. It stands as the most frequently reported bacterial STI.

The infection can affect various body parts, including the genitals, eyes, and lungs. What makes chlamydia particularly concerning is that most people who have it don't experience any symptoms. This silent nature of the infection often allows it to go undetected and untreated for extended periods.

Certain groups face a greater risk of contracting chlamydia infection:

• Young adults aged 15-24 years (accounting for over half of all diagnosed cases)
• Women and people assigned female at birth
• Men who have sex with men
• Black and non-Hispanic individuals

Chlamydia Infection Symptoms 

For those who experience symptoms, they vary between men and women:

• Symptoms of chlamydia infection in women and people assigned female at birth:
  • Whitish, yellowish, or greyish vaginal discharge that may have an odour
  • Pain or burning during urination
  • Bleeding between periods or after intercourse
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Pain during sexual intercourse
  • Increased need to urinate
• Symptoms of chlamydia infection in men:
  • Clear or cloudy discharge from the penis
  • Pain or burning during urination
  • Pain and swelling in the testicles
• Infection in other parts of the body:
  • In the anus, individuals might experience pain, discharge, or bleeding
  • Eye infections can cause redness, pain, and discharge
  • Mouth and throat infections can cause pain or redness in the throat or mouth, white spots toward the back of the mouth, and ulcers in the mouth.

Babies born to mothers with chlamydia may develop eye infections or pneumonia, requiring specific antibiotic treatment. These symptoms should prompt immediate medical attention, as early detection & treatment can prevent serious complications. 

Chlamydia Infection Causes 

Sexual activity without proper protection remains the primary route for chlamydia transmission. 

The infection primarily spreads through:

• Unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex
• Sharing intimate items without proper cleaning
• Mother-to-child transmission during childbirth
• Contact with infected bodily fluids

Key Risk Factors:

• Having multiple sexual partners within a year
• Engaging in unprotected sexual activity
• Previous history of sexually transmitted infections
• Being sexually active under the age of 25
• Inconsistent condom use
• Changing partners before confirming infection status

Complications of Chlamydia Infection

Untreated chlamydia infection can lead to severe health complications that affect various parts of the body. 

• In Women: The most serious complication is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which requires hospitalisation and can cause permanent damage to reproductive organs. PID can lead to:
  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Infertility due to fallopian tube scarring
  • Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy
  • Pregnancy complications, including pre-term delivery
• In Men: Males face different but equally serious complications when chlamydia remains untreated:
  • Epididymitis (inflammation of the tube carrying sperm)
  • Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland)
  • Reduced fertility due to sperm damage
  • Scarring of the urethra
• General Complications: The infection can spread beyond the reproductive system, causing additional health issues:
  • Reactive arthritis affecting joints
  • Eye inflammation
  • Increased risk of HIV infection
  • Throat infections
  • For pregnant individuals, untreated chlamydia poses risks to newborns, potentially causing eye infections (conjunctivitis) or pneumonia. 

Diagnosis

The most common and accurate method is the nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), which detects the DNA of chlamydia bacteria.

Doctors perform this testing through:

• A simple urine sample
• A swab of fluid from the vagina, cervix, or urethra
• Samples from the throat or anus, depending on exposure risk
• Eye swabs if chlamydia eye infection is suspected

Treatment for Chlamydia Infection

Effective treatment options exist for chlamydia infection, with antibiotics being the primary method of cure. Doctors typically prescribe one of several proven medications that can clear the infection within 1-2 weeks.

Primary Treatment Options:

• Doxycycline: 100 mg two times a day for 7 days
• Azithromycin: Single dose of 1 gram
• Levofloxacin: 500 mg one time a day for 7 days

Recent studies have shown that doxycycline is more effective than other treatments, particularly for rectal infections. For pregnant individuals, doctors often recommend azithromycin as the preferred treatment option.

Patients must follow specific guidelines during the treatment period to ensure successful recovery. They should abstain from sexual activity until treatment completion and seven days after single-dose therapy. Additionally, all current sexual partners should undergo testing and treatment to prevent reinfection.

When to See a Doctor

Individuals should seek immediate medical attention in these situations:

• After learning their sexual partner has tested positive for chlamydia
• When experiencing unusual discharge from the vagina, penis, or rectum
• If there's pain during urination
• When noticing any unusual genital symptoms, including sores or rashes
• After engaging in unprotected sexual activity

Prevention

Preventing chlamydia infection relies on practising safe sexual behaviours and maintaining regular health screenings. 

Essential Prevention Strategies:

• Use condoms correctly during every sexual encounter
• Consider dental dams for oral sex
• Maintain a monogamous relationship with a tested partner
• Clean and sanitise shared intimate items
• Get regular STI screenings, especially if sexually active
• Limiting activity to one partner who is exclusively intimate with them significantly reduces the risk of infection. 

Conclusion

Chlamydia infection remains a significant health concern, but knowledge and proper action can prevent its spread and complications. Regular testing, especially for those under 25 or with multiple partners, serves as the first line of defence against this often silent infection.

Protection during sexual activity, open communication with partners, and prompt medical attention at the first sign of symptoms form the foundation of effective prevention. People should remember that while chlamydia can cause serious complications when left untreated, antibiotics can cure the infection completely when taken as prescribed.

Doctors stress that anyone who thinks they might have been exposed to chlamydia should get tested immediately, even without symptoms. This simple step, combined with safe sex practices and regular health check-ups, helps protect both individual and public health.

FAQs

1. What happens if you have chlamydia?

Untreated chlamydia infection can cause serious complications with the probability of infection spreading to different parts of the body and cause various problems:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) requiring hospitalisation
• Increased risk of HIV infection
• Fertility problems in both men and women
• Pregnancy complications and risks to newborns

2. How painful is chlamydia?

Chlamydia pain varies significantly among individuals. Many people experience no pain at all, making the infection particularly dangerous as it can go unnoticed. When pain occurs, it typically manifests as:

• Burning sensation during urination
• Discomfort during sexual intercourse
• Lower abdominal pain
• Testicular pain in men

3. Is chlamydia curable?

Yes, chlamydia infection is entirely curable with proper antibiotic treatment. Doctors typically prescribe either azithromycin or doxycycline. The infection usually clears within 1-2 weeks with proper treatment.

4. Is chlamydia curable at home?

No, chlamydia cannot be cured at home. While some home remedies might help relieve symptoms, they cannot eliminate the bacterial infection. Only prescription antibiotics can cure chlamydia infection. Attempting to treat chlamydia at home can lead to serious complications and allow the infection to spread further.

Dr. Neha V Bhargava

MS, DNB (obgyn), MNAMS, Fellow (Gynae Oncology)
Ganga CARE Hospital Limited, Nagpur

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