Women And Chlamydia
A bacterial, sexually transmitted disease, Chlamydia is one of the most common of all STDs. It spreads through sexual contact with the infected person. Usually, the transmission occurs through contact with infected secretions during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Transmission may also occur through close genital contact with an infected individual.
Though easily treatable, it poses a threat due to its ‘silent’ nature. 90 percent of the infected women may not show any symptoms and the infection that is so easily treatable may turn into PID, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, over a period of several months
Risk factors:
- Exposure to an infected person
- Being sexually active at a younger age (less than 20 years) poses a higher risk
- An infected mother can spread the infection to the baby during pregnancy or childbirth
The following symptoms may appear after a few weeks of contracting the infection:
- Abnormal, foul-smelling, or thick vaginal discharge
- Inter-menstrual bleeding
- Burning during urination
- Pain in the abdomen
- Pain during sex
- Rectal pain (in case of anal sex)
- Fever
- Blood in urine
- Urge to urinate often with only slight dribbling of urine
Diagnosis:
Chlamydia can be diagnosed easily by means of a urine test or a swab test of the vagina. Chlamydia Blood tests are also done to look for anti-chlamydia antibodies. Getting tested after a potential exposure is an effective strategy since early diagnosis leads to an easy and full cure in the vast majority of cases.
If diagnosed with chlamydia, it is advisable to get your partner tested, too and treatment initiated for them.
Treatment:
Fortunately, the treatment for recent Chlamydia infection is very simple with just a course of antibiotics. A single dose of Azithromycin or doxycycline twice a day for 7 to 14 days has very high cure rates. It is important to restrain sexual activity during treatment to prevent the transmission of the disease.
Prevention:
- Proper use of condoms during every sexual act
- Knowledge of the STD status of your sex partner
- Do not switch partners frequently
- Get screened for STDs regularly
- Avoid indulging in sexual activities before the age of 20 years
Complications:
Chlamydia can pose a threat to the reproductive organs, if not checked in time.
Being a bacteria, Chlamydia has the ability to travel to other internal organs from the vagina and reach the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, etc. It can result in inflammation of the reproductive organs and lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID can cause infertility or other complications related to pregnancy such as ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb) or preterm delivery. The newborn could have low birth weight, pneumonia, or eye disease.
