Chlamydia trachoma, also known just as Chlamydia, is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It affects mostly young women, but it can occur in both men and women and in all age groups. Fortunately, it is not difficult to treat, but if left untreated it can lead to very serious health problems.
What is Chlamydia trachomatis?
This sexually transmitted infection is very easily transmitted and is caused by a bacteria. The Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium is most commonly spread through vaginal, oral and anal sex. Antibiotics are widely available to treat it, but many individuals do not seek medical care as they are not aware they have an infection – as many times, signs and symptoms might be absent or very few. In fact, about 75% of infections in women and 50% in men have no symptoms. Even when signs and symptoms occur, they are often mild, making them easy to overlook. If the infection is left untreated it can cause painful complications and serious health problems.
How is Chlamydia transmitted?
The infection is most commonly spread through:
• Unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex
• Sharing sex toys
• Infected semen or vaginal fluid coming into contact with the eyes causing conjunctivitis
• An infected pregnant woman to her baby
Risk factors
Factors that increase your risk of getting Chlamydia trachomatis include the following:
• Being sexually active before age 25
• Having multiple sex partners
• Not using a condom consistently if sexually active
• History of sexually transmitted infection
What are some signs and symptoms of Chlamydia?
Signs and symptoms of Chlamydia trachomatis infection can include:
• Painful urination
• Vaginal discharge in women
• Discharge from the penis in men
• Painful sexual intercourse in women
• Bleeding between periods and after sex in women
• Testicular pain in men
• Unusual discharge in men and women
Chlamydia trachomatis can also infect the rectum, either with no signs or symptoms or with rectal pain, discharge or bleeding.
You might not know you have Chlamydia because many people do not have signs or symptoms, such as genital pain and discharge from the vagina or penis.
Diagnosis
There are several tests available for diagnosing Chlamydia. As many individuals do not have signs and symptoms, high risk individuals should see their doctor regularly and be tested. People who have multiple sex partners, who do not always use a condom, or men who have sex with men, should consider frequent Chlamydia screening as well. All individuals who have a current sexually transmitted infection should also be tested for Chlamydia. Individuals who think they might have been exposed to an individual who had a sexually transmitted infection should also be tested for Chlamydia.
Treatment
Chlamydia trachomatis is treated with antibiotics. You might receive a one-time dose, or you might need to take the medication daily or multiple times a day for five to ten days. In most cases, the infection resolves within one to two weeks. During that time, you should abstain from sex. Your sexual partner or partners also need treatment even if they have no signs or symptoms. Otherwise, the infection can be passed back and forth between sexual partners.
Complications of untreated Chlamydia?
Chlamydia can be easily treated with appropriate antibiotics. If Chlamydia is treated early, it is unlikely to cause any long term problems. If left untreated several complications might develop and include the following:
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is an infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes that causes pelvic pain and fever. Severe infections might require hospitalisation for intravenous antibiotics. PID can damage the fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus, including the cervix.
• Infection near the testicles (epididymitis). A Chlamydia infection can inflame the coiled tube located beside each testicle (epididymis). The infection can result in fever, scrotal pain and swelling.
• Prostate gland infection. Rarely, the Chlamydia organism can spread to a man’s prostate gland. Prostatitis can cause pain during or after sex, fever and chills, painful urination, and lower back pain.
• Infections in newborns. The Chlamydia infection can pass from the vaginal canal to your child during delivery, causing pneumonia or a serious eye infection.
• Ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when a fertilised egg implants and grows outside of the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. A Chlamydia infection increases this risk.
• Infertility. Chlamydia infections — even those that produce no signs or symptoms — can cause scarring and obstruction in the fallopian tubes which might make women infertile.
• Infertility – In men, Chlamydia can lead to infection in the testicles leading to a reduction in fertility.
• Reactive arthritis. People who have Chlamydia trachomatis are at higher risk of developing reactive arthritis – also known as Reiter’s syndrome. This condition typically affects the joints, eyes and urethra — the tube that carries urine from your bladder to outside of your body.
Should I tell my partner(s)?
If a test shows that you have Chlamydia then it is very important that your current sexual partner and any other recent partners are also tested and treated.
What if I get Chlamydia whilst pregnant?
Chlamydia can be passed to the baby during birth, causing inflammation and discharge in the baby’s eyes and/or pneumonia. Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics whilst you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Always inform your doctor or nurse that you are pregnant as it will affect the type of antibiotic used.
Complications
Chlamydia is one of the most commonly sexually transmitted infections in several countries including Anguilla. The infection is caused by a bacteria and is easily spread because it often causes few or no symptoms. A number of tests are available to diagnose this infection and it can be cured with appropriate antibiotics. Untreated infections can cause serious complications. If you have further questions, have a talk with your doctor or other healthcare provider.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-eight years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5828).
