Chlamydia: Checking the infectious bacteria group & the ailments

CHECKING CHLAMYDIA

The term 'Chlamydia' refers to a bacteria collection. It causes different types of infectious ailments in human beings and animals.

CHLAMYDIA AILMENTS

There are two main types of Chlamydia diseases. They are Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae. People having multiple sex partners are prone to various strains of chlamydia.

CHLAMYDIA BACTERIA

The three species of chlamydia are Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae.

CHLAMYDIA PSITTICA

Chlamydia psittica occurs in rare cases. People affected by Chlamydia psittica experience a flu-like illness. It is called psittacosis. It is also known as parrot fever as the organism is mostly carried by lovebirds, parakeets, and parrots. Many cats, and other animals and avian species carry this organism. Occasionally human beings may also be the carriers of Chlamydia psittica. Usually, people working with pets like birds and animals contract the Chlamydia psittica syndrome. Therefore, the most prone sections of humans are the workers employed in poultry processing plants, or pet shops and avian pet owners.

CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS STRAINS

This is the most common chlamydia illness. It is caused by the different strains of trachomatis bacteria species. A particular Chlamydia trachomatis strain affects the eyes. The resultant illness is conjunctivitis. During conjunctivitis, the eyes turn red and there is swelling. Moreover, the eyes become light sensitive. There can also be pus discharge from the eyes. Most importantly, babies may contract chlamydia infections from their mothers even before they are born.

TRACHOMA

This is a severe type of conjunctivitis. Trachoma is caused by a fly-borne strain of Chlamydia trachomatis. If untreated, trachoma can lead to blindness. Trachoma cases are common in the Third World countries.

LYMPHOGRANULOMA VENEREUM

Another offshoot of Chlamydia trachomatis is Lymphogranuloma venereum. This ailment affects the lymphatic tissue. Many people in the tropical regions are affected by this disease. Lymphogranuloma venereum is rare in USA, though.

CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS & AIDS

There is a close link between Chlamydia trachomatis and various STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) including AIDS. Chlamydia trachomatis generally gets transmitted through sexual intercourses with affected persons. In the USA, three million people fall prey to Chlamydia trachomatis-caused STD cases every year. These mainly include NGU (nongonococcal urethritis). NGU is an infection of the urinary tract.

CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS (STD) SYMPTOMS

The Chlamydia trachomatis form passing on through sex can affect both the sexes. The common symptoms of Chlamydia trachomatis (sexually transmitted) are pain and watery discharge during urinating. The women can also have vaginal inflammation as well as swelling of the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, and the cervix.

There can be genital area pain, abdominal pain, fever, and vaginal discharge. Notably, as much as 70 per cent of women suffering from Chlamydia trachomatis infections do not have any symptoms. So, the ailment also remains untreated. Ultimately, Chlamydia trachomatis degenerates into serious conditions: These may include infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and pelvic inflammatory disease.

CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIAE

Chlamydia pneumoniae affects the upper respiratory tract. Chlamydia pneumoniae infections can also strike the bronchitis, pneumonitis, and the pharyngitis. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a contagious ailment caused by the Chlamydia set of bacteria. Chlamydia pneumoniae can also lead to heart attacks and coronary heart diseases. Anybody between the ages of five to 35 can be affected by Chlamydia pneumoniae.

The In fact, Chlamydia pneumoniae has been identified as the second main cause of pneumonia in US. Chlamydia pneumoniae bouts are usually mild in nature. The Chlamydia pneumoniae symptoms are fever and cough. At times, there can be more sputum production. Sputum is a mixture of various mucus and saliva.

It arises from the respiratory tracts. The Chlamydia pneumoniae symptoms may not be very visible initially. Or, at times, the Chlamydia pneumoniae signs may also point to the other forms of Chlamydia dysfunctions. One type is the chlamydia type of illnesses caused by various strains of the trachomatis species. Another severe type of chlamydia disease is caused by a strain of the fly-borne Chlamydia trachomatis.

TREATING CHLAMYDIA

Antibiotics are quite effective in treating Chlamydia infections. To diagnose Chlamydia infections, patients generally have to undergo various tests. These include cell cultures that exclude other illnesses with similar symptoms. The other ailments having similar symptoms are candidiasis, trichomoniasis, herpes, and gonorrhea. The modern method of diagnosing Chlamydia infections are immunoassays blood tests. These examinations pinpoint the specific antibody that may have been constituted by the patient's immune system against chlamydia infection.

MANDATORY SCREEN TESTS

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) suggests yearly screening for chlamydia especially for all sexually active women. Such periodic screenings are must for such women under 20 years of age and those above 20 years. It is also mandatory for such women enjoying multiple sex partners. To prevent re-infection, all the individuals who have had sexual relationships with the affected person, must be treated for Chlamydia infections or STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). An important preventive measure is the latex condom during intercourse. This step can prevent transmission of chlamydial infection.