Chlamydia is considered one of the most widespread diseases in the world. It is sexually transmitted, and although it does not have clear symptoms, neglecting it may lead to serious health complications. With us at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, we pay great attention to raising community awareness and diagnosing and treating such infections in the most accurate and safe ways. In the following lines, we will shed light together on the causes and symptoms of chlamydia, as well as ways to prevent it and effective treatment methods. Follow us for more details.

What is chlamydia?

As we previously mentioned to you, chlamydia is a bacterial infection transmitted through sexual contact. An individual is infected with a bacterium known as Chlamydia trachomatis, which is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Both men and women are infected with it. However, its danger to women is great if it is not treated, as chlamydia can cause fertility problems or pelvic infections. The disease is usually treated with antibiotics, and treatment is considered effective when detected early. We recommend the importance of taking

Causes of chlamydia

Chlamydia infection occurs as a result of infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which in turn is transmitted mainly through the following:

• Direct sexual contact, whether vaginal or oral, with an infected person without the use of protection.
• Sharing sexual tools and using contaminated tools without sterilization or without a protective cover.
• The infection can be transmitted from an infected pregnant mother to the child during childbirth, causing eye or lung infections in the child.
• Not using a male or female condom increases the risk of infection.
• The more sexual partners there are, the greater the risk of exposure to infection.

It is important to raise awareness that chlamydia is not transmitted through shaking hands or using public restrooms; it is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids.

Symptoms of chlamydia

The symptoms may be mild or not apparent in many cases, which is why chlamydia is known as a silent infection. However, when symptoms appear, they differ between men and women, and the symptoms are as follows:

Symptoms of chlamydia in women

• Abnormal vaginal discharge, which may be yellow in color or have a foul odor.
• Pain or burning when urinating.
• Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis.
• Vaginal bleeding between periods or after intercourse.
• Feeling pain during intercourse.
• Pelvic infections or infertility in advanced cases.

Symptoms of chlamydia in men

• The appearance of discharge from the penis that is white or cloudy in color.
• Feeling a burning or pain while urinating.
• Feeling pain or swelling in the testicles, especially if the infection is widespread.
• Itching or discomfort in the urethra.

Symptoms of chlamydia in cases of anal or oral infection

• Feeling pain in the rectum or bleeding from it.
• Sore throat, which is a rare symptom if the infection is through oral sex.

It should be noted that it is necessary to conduct a medical examination when infection is suspected, even if no clear symptoms appear, as chlamydia may lead to serious complications if not treated.

Read also: What is it? Syphilis Your complete guide to understanding symptoms, stages and treatment

Types of chlamydia

The types of chlamydia vary depending on the affected part of the body or the nature of the infection. The most common types of chlamydia are as follows:

• Genital chlamydia, which is more widespread and transmitted through sexual contact, also infects the reproductive organs and leads to various symptoms such as discharge, burning during urination, and pelvic pain.
• Anal chlamydia, which infects the rectum as a result of anal sexual intercourse. It also causes pain, discharge or bleeding from the anus, or is without any symptoms.
• Oral or pharyngeal chlamydia, which is transmitted through oral sex, may cause a mild sore throat, and may pass without obvious symptoms.
• Ocular chlamydia, known as trachoma, infects the eye as a result of contact with infected fluids, causes conjunctivitis, and is considered a major cause of blindness in some developing countries.
• Chlamydia in newborns, which is transmitted from an infected mother to the baby during birth and causes conjunctivitis or pneumonia.
• Sexually transmitted lymphatic chlamydia, which is a rare but most dangerous type, causes genital ulcers and swelling of the lymph nodes, and is spread among men, “I seek refuge in God,” among those who have sex with men.

Diagnosis of chlamydia

This disease is usually diagnosed through simple and quick laboratory tests that aim to detect the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria in the body. The diagnosis process begins by taking the patient’s medical history, asking him about the symptoms as well as his sexual activity, then one of the tests is performed, which is as follows:

• Urinalysis, which is commonly used in men and women to detect bacteria in the urethra.
• A swab from the affected area, where a swab is taken from the cervix or vagina, and for men, a swab is taken from the urethra, and in cases of anal or oral infection, swabs are taken from the rectum or throat.
• DNA tests, which are the most common and most accurate, detect the genetic material of bacteria with high accuracy.

It is recommended to be examined periodically for those who have multiple sexual partners or when symptoms appear even in the absence of visible symptoms, as chlamydia is often silent, and early diagnosis helps prevent complications and infertility.

Book your consultation now at مركز صحة المرأة At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.

Treatment of chlamydia

Treatment is simple and effective using antibiotics, and the person usually recovers when he adheres to the prescribed treatment. Treatment options include the following:

• Antibiotics such as azithromycin and doxycycline.
• It is important to abstain from sexual intercourse for seven days after the start of treatment or until the infection disappears. It is recommended that the sexual partner receive treatment, even if he does not show any symptoms, to avoid infection again. It is preferable to conduct a follow-up examination after three months, especially if there are risk factors.

It is worth noting that not completing treatment or ignoring it leads to serious complications such as infertility or chronic infections, and thanks to early treatment and adherence to doctors’ instructions, complete recovery is guaranteed by God Almighty’s will and prevention of transmission of infection to others.

Complications of chlamydia

Chlamydia disease leads to many complications if not treated in a timely manner, especially in women. The most prominent of these complications are the following:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease, which leads to chronic pelvic pain, adhesions, or menstrual disorders.
• Infertility due to damage to the fallopian tubes due to chronic inflammation.
• Ectopic pregnancy due to blockage or damage to the ducts.
• Transmitting the infection to the fetus during birth, and the baby may develop eye or lung infections.

As for men, they suffer from various complications, such as epididymitis, which causes pain and swelling in the testicle, which affects fertility, chronic urethritis, and in some rare cases, the individual develops reactive arthritis, known as Reiter’s syndrome, which may include the eyes, joints, and urinary system, as well as the infection spreading to non-genital areas such as the throat or rectum.

How to prevent chlamydia

Disease prevention depends on a set of healthy behaviors and precautions that reduce the risk of infection. Prevention methods include the following:

• Use a male or female condom correctly in every sexual relationship, which reduces transmission of infection.
• Conduct regular examinations, especially for those people who are sexually active or have multiple sexual partners, even if there are no symptoms.
• Limiting yourself to one sexual partner who is not infected, as this helps reduce the chances of transmission.
• Abstaining from sex when an infection is suspected, and when symptoms appear, it is important to stop sexual relations until treatment is completed.
• It is important to talk frankly with the doctor about your sexual health history and perform the required tests.
• Undergo immediate treatment when infected, as well as treat your partner to avoid recurrence of the infection.

When should you visit a doctor? 

It is important to visit a doctor if you suspect chlamydia or if any of the following symptoms appear:

• Abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis.
• Pain or burning during urination.
• Pain in the lower abdomen or during intercourse.
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially after intercourse or between periods.
• Pain or swelling in the testicles in men.
• Rectal symptoms such as pain, discharge, or bleeding in the case of anal sex.

It is recommended that people who are sexually active undergo regular screening for sexually transmitted diseases, even if no symptoms appear.

Frequently asked questions 

Where do chlamydia bacteria come from?

In fact, chlamydia bacteria, specifically Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, are the result of a sexually transmitted infection. They are transmitted from one infected person to the other person during unprotected sexual intercourse, whether through the vagina, anus, or mouth. They can also be transmitted from the infected mother to her child during childbirth. These bacteria are not spread through toilets or through normal contact, as they are bacteria that need direct contact with bodily fluids in order to be transmitted.

Can chlamydia be cured?

Chlamydia can be completely cured when it is discovered or treated in a timely manner. Treatment is through effective antibiotics such as azithromycin or doxycycline. It can be cured within a week. It is important for the infected person to adhere to complete treatment, while abstaining from sexual intercourse until recovery is confirmed. It is recommended to treat the sexual partner in order to prevent recurrence of the infection.

Does chlamydia turn into AIDS?

Chlamydia can never turn into AIDS. They are two diseases that differ from each other in terms of the cause and the nature of the infection. Chlamydia is a treatable bacterial infection, but AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus and cannot be completely cured yet. However, infection with chlamydia or any sexually transmitted infection weakens the immune membranes and thus increases the possibility of contracting HIV if a person is exposed to it.

How long does chlamydia last?

The duration of recovery from chlamydia depends on the type of antibiotic used and the body’s response to treatment, but usually the recovery period ranges from 7 days to 14 days. Some medications such as azithromycin are taken as a single dose, but doxycycline is taken for a week. It is important to complete treatment even if the symptoms disappear, with the importance of avoiding sexual intercourse during the treatment period and until complete recovery is ensured in order to avoid transmitting the infection again.

المصادر: