Chlamydia is a common and dangerous STD that can cause blindness, pneumonia, and infertility. It often goes undetected, but symptoms include pain during intercourse, frequent urination, and vaginal bleeding. Prevention is key, and testing and treatment are simple.
Chlamydia is one of the most common and potentially dangerous sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It exists in different forms, which can also cause chlamydial conjunctivitis, a leading cause of blindness which is also the most easily treated with prompt antibiotic treatment. Also, some types can cause lung infections that cause pneumonia.
In most cases, this disease goes undetected by those affected. There are some symptoms that may be present. These include stomach pain, pain during intercourse, frequent urination, and vaginal bleeding or discharge in women. Men may also have discomfort when urinating or a frequent urge to urinate. Also, men may notice that their testicles are swollen or red, or that there is a discharge from the penis.
For women, untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, the fallopian tubes can become scarred, and the uterus or ovaries can become infected. Lack of treatment can lead to infertility. In pregnant women, this disease poses risks to the newborn, which can be born with birth defects, or the condition can lead to miscarriage or premature birth. Also, the newborn can contract conjunctivitis from passing through the birth canal resulting in blindness.
In men, chlamydia can infect the reproductive system and cause permanent infertility. A rare disease called Reiter’s syndrome results in about 15,000 cases in men each year. Reiter causes severe arthritis, and especially young people are at risk for the disease.
Prevention is the first line of defense, as many people are carriers of the disease and are unaware of their potential danger to others. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that about 4 million people contract the disease annually in the United States alone. Their recommendation is not to have casual sex and also only have sex with a long-term monogamous partner. Even with a monogamous partner, it’s still important to use a barrier protection such as a male or female condom. However, if this is not used during oral sex or foreplay, chlamydia and other STDs can still be transmitted.
If you intend to start a new relationship with someone, it is highly recommended that each partner be tested for STDs, including HIV. Testing for chlamydia involves analyzing cells from the penis or vagina, usually very few cells. Additionally, the doctor will perform a complete gynecological exam on the female. The male will have both his penis and anus examined for any signs of STDs. While this process seems involved, it could prevent you from getting this very serious disease and help you avoid reproductive difficulties in later life.
Treatment for chlamydia is quite simple and straightforward. Patients are usually prescribed a 2-week dose of antibiotics and tend to have no complications after successful treatment. However, practicing unsafe sex in the future can lead to contracting it again, so it is inadvisable to engage in oral sex or unsafe sex at any time.
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