Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection which affects the cervix in women and the
urethra in men. Chlamydia is the most common STI and, quite often, there are no
outward symptoms to indicate that anything is wrong. Chlamydia can, if left
untreated, cause very unwelcome complications.
Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease due to the fact that about three
quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no symptoms. If
an infected person has symptoms they will usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks of
exposure.
If left untreated, Chlamydia infections can develop into to serious reproductive
and general health problems. Like the disease itself, the damage that Chlamydia
causes is often "silent."
In up to 40 percent of women, untreated infections can spread into the uterus or
fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can cause
permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues and
lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal an ectopic
pregnancy. Women infected with Chlamydia are up to five times more likely to
become infected with HIV, if exposed.
Symptoms
Men
Men with signs or symptoms might have a discharge from
their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. Men might also have burning
and itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the testicles
are uncommon.
Women
In women, the bacteria initially infect the cervix
and the urethra which can result in an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning
sensation when urinating. When the infection spreads from the cervix to the
fallopian tubes some women still have no signs or symptoms; others have lower
abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or
bleeding between menstrual periods. If left untreated Chlamydia can lead to
infertility.
In pregnant women, there is some evidence that untreated Chlamydia infections can
lead to premature births. Babies born to infected mothers can get Chlamydia
infections in their eyes and their respiratory tracts. Chlamydia is the most
frequent cause of pneumonia and conjunctivitis in newborn babies.
Chlamydia can also lead to a painful joint condition known as Sexually Acquired
Reactive Arthritis.
Testing and treatment
Chlamydia can be easily tested by taking a swab or by using a urine test. If the
test is positive then it can be treated with antibiotics. The most common
treatment is azithromycin as it is a one off dose. Another treatment is
doxycycline but this is usually a one week course. Re-testing is recommended no
earlier than 6 weeks after treatment has been completed. It is
essential that all current and recent sexual partners are also treated; even if
they do not have any symptoms.
If you are suffering any symptoms such as genital discharge or a burning
sensation when you urinate, we recommend the Full Sexual Health Screen so that
we can determine what is causing the problem. Please do not try to
guess which infection you may have as it is normally difficult to determine this
without a test!