CHLAMYDIA
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection affecting the genitals, anus, eyes or throat, transmitted sexually.
Prevalence:
- Most common of all STDs with almost 1 million new cases every year.
- Females at a higher risk
- More common in younger age groups who are sexually active i.e. 15-25 years of age
Spreads through:
- Unprotected vaginal sex, oral or anal sex with an infected individual
- Touching or rubbing of the genitals or sharing sex toys
- Gay/ bisexual relationship- males having sex with males.
- Mother to a baby through pregnancy or nursing
- Direct contact with infected semen or vaginal discharge
- Contaminated towels can transmit the infection to the eyes.
Symptoms:
Generally, asymptomatic and thus, goes unnoticed easily. However, the following symptoms may be present:
- Abnormal, foul-smelling, yellowish or greenish discharge from the vagina or penis
- Burning or pain on urination
- Painful sex
- Abdominal pain with fever
- Inter-menstrual bleeding
- Swollen vagina, anus or testes
- Bleeding during or after intercourse
- Itching or bleeding from the anus
- Oral sex may transmit the bacteria to the throat leading to cough, soreness throat, fever.
- Eye infections may present as conjunctivitis or trachoma and can even lead to blindness.
Prevention:
- Using a condom during sex is the purest form of protection from all STDs
- Get yourself and your partner tested for Chlamydia and other infections before having sex
- Avoid anal or oral sex
- Stick to one sexual partner
Diagnosis:
By a simple blood test
Treatment:
Easily treatable with antibiotics.
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