Chlamydia - Complications You May Face If Chlamydia Is Not Treated In Time

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by a bacterium that is transmitted by sexual contact. Any sexual contact that causes your mucous membrane to get in touch with infected secretion may cause chlamydia. The complications of chlamydia are bad if it is left untreated. Please learn more so that you can prevent them.

Chlamydia - early symptoms

The early symptoms of chlamydia include- painful intercourse in women, vaginal discharge, penile discharge, difficult urination, etc. Sometimes these symptoms are very mild and are ignored. These symptoms appear after about two weeks of sexual contact. If chlamydia is left untreated it can cause serious complications. In the early stage antibiotics can clear chlamydia within a week or two and you are free of the disease. Afterwards, it becomes a long drawn process to get treated. Therefore it is important that you get treated immediately as soon as you see any symptoms described above. Your doctor will take a swab and test you. If the test is positive, you will be prescribed antibiotics. Let us find out about the later complications.

Chlamydia and women

Women may lose fertility if chlamydia is left untreated. Untreated chlamydia leads to Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women. This is an infection of the reproductive organs of women. She may get her ovaries, cervix, and uterus, fallopian tubes infected. If the diseases progresses, she may lose her ability to be fertile. Many times PID develops without showing any outer signs. Some women may have lot of pelvic pain with PID.

Chlamydia and men

Men may develop swelling and pain in the testicles. This is an inflammation that is quite painful. Men may also develop complications of the prostrate gland.

Chlamydia and eye infection

If you touch infected fingers to your eyes, you may infect your eyes. Please consult your doctor immediately if you suspect anything like that.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Unlike Most STDs Chlamydia Can Be Cured

The most effective treatment for the Chlamydia disease is antibiotics. Sometimes a single does of antibiotics will cure the disease. Two of the most commonly used antibiotics prescribed for this disease are: azithromycin (Zithromaxa) and doxycycline (Atridox, Bio-Tablets). These treatments can last as long as one day or seven days depending on the type of antibiotics you are prescribed. Some doctors prefer the one day treatment (referred to as the single dose treatment) while others prefer the seven day treatment. Chlamydia is never treated with Penicillin as is the case with most other Sexual Transmitted Diseases.

Some patients may require alternative treatment and they are usually prescribed erythromycin or ethylsuccuinate. Whatever medication you are prescribed it is recommended that you go through the entire course, even if the symptoms have disappeared and abstain from any sexual intercourse until you have finished all medication and have been tested with a clean bill of health once again. Some doctors require that you return for further tests after the course of the medication has been completed to ensure that you are fully cured from this disease.

There are two main types of tests for Chlamydia: one is to take samples of body fluid from the infected part of the body, usually the vagina or penis, and then sending it to the laboratory for tests. Another way is to take a urine sample and also have them tested in the laboratory; this is becoming a very popular way of testing for Chlamydia virus.

Through modern technology they have now developed a Diagnostic Test Kit for Chlamydia which you can purchase and use in the privacy of your own home. This kit contains all the tools that you will need to test yourself and it is color coded thus making it very simple to understand. It uses specimens and urine from the genital parts of the body for testing for Chlamydia and is available for both men and women.

Because Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are so much alike it is sometimes very difficult to determine exactly which disease you have contracted and further intricate testing will have to be done to determine this fact, also sometimes it is possible for a person to contract both of these viruses at any given time.

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.

Chlamydial Infections - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD). It caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman's reproductive organs. Name "chlamydia" is derived from the Greek word "chlamys," which was a kind of cloak worn by men in ancient Greece. Even though symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur "silently" before a woman ever recognizes a problem. Chlamydia also can cause discharge from the penis of an infected man. Chlamydia is one of the most widespread bacterial STIs in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 2.8 million people are infected each year.Chlamydia bacteria live in vaginal fluid and in semen. About 70 percent of chlamydial infections have no symptoms, thereby naming it the "silent" disease. Chlamydiae have a unique biphasic life cycle that is adaptable to both intracellular and extracellular environments. In the extracellular milieu, the so-called elementary body (EB) is found.

Chlamydophila psittaci infection is spread by bird droppings and aerosols and causes psittacosis. These infections are not discussed in this article. Symptoms usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after you are infected. Those who do have symptoms may have an abnormal discharge (mucus or pus) from the vagina or penis or experience pain while urinating.

These early symptoms may be very mild. In women, bacteria can infect the cervix and urinary tract in women. If the bacteria move into the fallopian tubes, they can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). In men, bacteria can infect the urinary tract and the epididymis, causing epididymitis (inflammation of the reproductive area near the testicles).

Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about 75% of infected women and about 50% of infected men have no symptoms. Even if symptoms are present, they may be mild and last only a few days, and may not be noticed or considered significant.

Causes of Chlamydial Infections

1.Chlamydia trachomatis.

2.Chlamydia pneumonia.

3.Chlamydia psittaci.

4.Unprotected intercourse (without condoms).

Symptoms of Chlamydial Infections

1.Vaginal irritation with discharge.

2.Cough and fever can occur in pneumonia (although the classic description is afebrile).

3.Eye discharge and/or swelling develop in conjunctivitis.

4.Lower abdomen tender to palpation.

5.Dysuria.

6.Exchange of sex for drugs or money.

Treatment of Chlamydial Infections

1.Chlamydial infection is treated with antibiotics azithromycin 1 gram oral as a single dose. Doxycycline 100 milligrams twice daily for seven days. Tetracycline, Erythromycin, Amoxicillin once a day until infection subsides, Ciprofloxacin 500 milligrams twice daily for 3 days.

2.Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their sex partners have completed treatment, otherwise re-infection is possible.

3.Having multiple infections increases a woman's risk of serious reproductive health complications, including infertility. Retesting should be considered for women, especially adolescents, three to four months after treatment. Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of chlamydia.

4.Use condoms correctly every time you have sex.

5.Limit the number of sex partners, and do not go back and forth between partners. Practice sexual abstinence, or limit sexual contact to one uninfected partner.

6.Common methods of birth control, like the oral contraceptive pill or the contraceptive shot or implant, do not give women protection from STDs. Women who use these methods should also use condoms every time they have sex to prevent STDs. Get a screening test.

Chlamydia - How Not To Get Chlamydia, a STD?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is a silent disease because the symptoms appear very late in some people. They may not be aware that they have Chlamydia. A bacterium causes this infection. A partner sexually passes this bacterium to another partner. The question is- how to enjoy relationships without contacting Chlamydia which is dangerous if allowed to progress? Let me tell you how. Chlamydia- how it is passed?

Look inside your mouth and observe the skin inside. It looks different from your body skin, is it not so? This skin inside the mouth is called mucous membrane. The same kind of membrane covers your inner genitals and anal cavity. When this mucous membrane comes in contact with any secretion of a Chlamydia patient, he/she will get infected. The clue lies in preventing the mucous membrane coming in contact with any secretions of the affected person.

Chlamydia- what will you do to prevent it?

Let us take a real life example. Suppose you have a new partner and are not sure about the health. What would you do to prevent getting Chlamydia if your partner is a carrier? Don't allow any contact between the mucous membranes. Therefore avoid all kinds of oral sex. Kissing will also spread Chlamydia. Avoid it in the beginning. Involve only in sex protected by condom. Nothing else. After sometime, you may ask your partner if he/she has been tested for Chlamydia and know about the status. If you have not got yourself screened, it is time to meet a doctor and get the test done. It is a very simple test and will also tell you about other STDs.

Chlamydia can cause many complications if it is not treated in the early stages. Please look for these symptoms if you have had unprotected sex or sex with a partner whose status you do not know. The common symptoms of Chlamydia are- difficult and painful urination, discharge from penis or vagina, pain in the lower abdomen, pain in intercourse in women, pain or swelling in men. If you notice any of these signs, please contact your doctor without any delay. A course of antibiotics normally clears the infection in two weeks. Ask your partner to get treated as well. Otherwise you will get infected once more. Use condoms. Avoid having multiple sexual partners. Women should not douche. Douching increases the possibility of getting Chlamydia. To learn more about Chlamydia, click here - http://www.doctorgoodskin.com/ds/chlamydia/causes.php

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Chlamydia - Its Effects and Symptoms!

People infected with Chlamydia or Gonorrhea, which is an inflammation of the urethritis (in women) and the tip of the penis (in men) can either be with or without the discharge, (clear discharge for Chlamydia and white discharge for gonorrhea) typically associated with these diseases. This inflammation may also be caused by other things such as Trichomonas vaginalis and as such the urethritis infected with Chlamydia tends to be softer than those infected with gonorrhea, where the infected area is covered with what resembles heat bumps, or rashes. Men not only suffer from inflammation of the penis but also swelling of the testicles accompanied by pain and swelling.

Chlamydia does not leave any external scars, but with the swelling that occurs in both the male and female organs they can result in internal injuries that can leave them sterile. Chlamydia does not have any physical signs externally, except for swelling and redness in the affected area of the urethritis and the penis. That is why it is difficult to tell if a person has contracted Chlamydia. Unlike gonorrhea, which has little bumps that look something like a rash or a set of pimples and it is also red and swollen

Because the infections are more internal than external, women who are pregnant and have the Chlamydia virus can infect their new born babies with this disease during childbirth when the baby is in the passage way. The baby can either develop pneumonia or very serious eye problems and also respiratory disorders. Some men and women also suffer from swelling in the rectum accompanied by pain and bleeding or discharge, which is usually associated with having anal sex. Oral sex is another way that this disease can be transmitted to the eyes, which become very swollen and droopy and this can lead to blindness.

There is not much else to describe how Chlamydia looks like, except that it is red swollen and secretes a while substance that looks like (pus/fungi) and it is very painful to the touch. It makes it very uncomfortable to urinate and is painful for some women during sexual intercourse. If you would like to see some of the photos of what Chlamydia looks like you can go on the internet and type in this question and you will get a couple of internet sites that actually have some pictures, although there are not that many, because there is really not much to see because all the damage is internal.