Chlamydia Treatment

About Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Chlamydia can be contracted at any age but it is most common in those under the age of 25.

It is caused by a bacteria and is not easily noticeable at early stages due to a lack of noticeable early symptoms. Chlamydia treatment is preferred, as untreated chlamydia can cause serious complications in the future.

Contact the healthcare profession in case you have any recent concerns.

It can be spread through unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral), sharing sex toys or your genitals coming into contact with another person’s genitals.

When are you considered to be at a high risk of chlamydia?

• If you have unprotected sex with more than one sexual partner,
• Under the age of 25
• If you have a new partner,it's advisable to get tested first.
• In your past, you have been diagnosed with chlamydia.

Diagnosis of chlamydia

The only way to know if you have chlamydia is to get tested. Fortunately, the available methods of testing are quick and painless.

You can purchase chlamydia tests online, or you can go to your GP or local sexual health clinic, where you can have a chlamydia test for free.

For a physical examination,a healthcare professional examines your discharge, sores, and spots in infected areas. Chlamydia is diagnosed in women by swabbing the vagina or any other infected areas, such as the throat or anus.

A Chlamydia test is often a urine sample that is sent to a laboratory for analysis. If you test positive for chlamydia, your sexual partner(s) must be treated for chlamydia at the same time to avoid reinfection.

The results may take several days. The doctor’s office should call to discuss the results. If the test returns positive, a follow-up appointment and treatment options will be discussed.

After a diagnostic test,you can wait up to 10 days to get your results. A follow-up with your healthcare professional will be appropriate, especially if you tested positive for chlamydia.

It is also advised that you contact any sexual partners you have had in the last six months and let them know that you have tested positive for chlamydia. Leaving chlamydia untreated can cause many complications such as infertility.

Prevention for chlamydia

The only solution is to get tested regularly in case you have new partners. You should take the following measures to reduce the risk of contracting chlamydia:

• Use a condom during penetrative sex. This applies to both vaginal and anal intercourse.
• During oral sex use a condom to cover the penis.
• If using sex toys, don’t share them with others without first washing the toy or covering it with a fresh condom.
• If performing oral sex on the female genitals, or when rubbing female genitals together, make use of a device called a dental dam. A dental dam is a thin piece of latex or plastic used to cover the female genitals.

How common is chlamydia in the UK?

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK, affecting both men and women, with approximately 3 to 7 out of 100 sexually active young individuals, particularly those under the age of 25.

In 2022, about 690,531 chlamydia tests were done for young women aged 15 to 24 in England, slightly less than the previous year by 1.2%.

But here's the thing - even though fewer tests were done, there was a significant 21.8% increase in the number of actual diagnoses made in 2022 (68,882) compared to 2021 (56,562).

Sources

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chlamydia/

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/chlamydia-uncomplicated-genital/

Causes and Transmission

Chlamydia is caused by bacteria called Chlamydia Trachomatis and can be spread between people through the sexual fluids produced by the penis and vagina.

This means chlamydia can be transmitted without penetration or ejaculation. Chlamydia cannot be caught through casual contact, e.g. holding hands, kissing, or sharing household outcomes such as towels, baths or cutlery.

Ways of Transmission:

Unprotected Sex:

Chlamydia is commonly transmitted through sexual activities that lack protection, such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex without using barrier methods like condoms.

Vertical Transmission (Mother to Child):

Chlamydia can be passed from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth. This highlights the importance of early detection and treatment in pregnant individuals to prevent potential complications in newborns.
 

The two most commonly prescribed treatments for chlamydia are:

1. Doxycycline: Taken daily for a week.
2. Azithromycin: One 1g dose, followed by 500mg once a day for 2 days.

You are advised to complete the course of treatment even though the infection stops, and if symptoms persist while still receiving treatment, you should visit your healthcare provider for more evaluation.

If you tested positive for chlamydia, you should also get your partner's chlamydia treatment to prevent reinfection.

Risks associated with multiple chlamydia infections in women.

• Cases of ectopic pregnancy
• Reproductive health complications
• Pelvic inflammatory diseases
• A three-month re-examination after taking the chlamydia treatment is crucial for both partners, as chlamydia
• infection can recur. Other than antibiotics, another treatment method is abstaining from sex until your infection clears up.

Most people that are suffering from chlamydia do not experience symptoms at all (estimated that 40-96%). When noticeable symptoms occur, it will usually be 1 to 3 weeks after being exposed to the infection.

Chlamydia symptoms in women include:

• Chlamydia symptoms in men include:
• A noticeable change in any vaginal discharge
• Lower abdominal pain
• Bleeding between periods and heavier periods than normal
• Pain when urinating
• Bleeding during and/or after sex
• Pain during sex

Chlamydia symptoms in men include:

• An abnormal discharge from the tip of the penis
• Pain when urinating
• Pain in the testicles