In the modern world where the influx of diseases are taking a fearsome shape due to unprotected sexual practices that are common among today’s youth, Chlamydia infection is yet another of those diseases that are transmitted from one person to another through unprotected sex.
Chlamydia infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections over the world, with about 2.8 million cases occurring in the United States each year. The main problem with this disease is that it often goes unnoticed until reaching serious state of infection that can affect a person’s fertility. The name comes from Greek, χλαμύδος meaning, "cloak".
Chlamydia Types
There are several types of the bacterial genus Chlamydia that can cause this ailment. The common strains are
Chlamydia trachomatis
Chlamydia suis
Chlamydia muridarum
Chlamydia trachomatis is found in humans and it causes human genital as well as eye disease.
Chlamydia Causes
As the name of the disease suggests, bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the onset of the disease. This disease is easily passed from one person to another while having unprotected sex. Any form of sex be it oral, vaginal or anal can cause this ailment and it can be passed on to a newborn from its mother during childbirth.
Chalmydia Symptoms
At the initial level, symptoms are not seen, thereby leading to a more severe stage as the victim is unaware and does not receive any treatment. These symptoms vary for men and women as with most of the sexually transmitted diseases.
For women the symptoms are:
Little bit of increase in vaginal discharge
Pain while passing urine
Frequent need to pass urine
Pain in the lower abdomen
Irregular bleeding
For men, the symptoms are more noticeable, like:
Watery discharge from the penis
Pain or a burning sensation while passing urine
Mild irritation felt at the end of the penis
If chlamydia infection is left untreated, then it might lead to painful inflammation of the testicles of a man leading to infertility. For a woman, pelvic inflammation can occur in the pelvic area, or a long-term pain can happen in the pelvic area. Ectopic pregnancy and premature birth might occur due to chlamydia. This might also cause eye or lung infection in the new born.
Chalmydia Treatment
Treatment for Chlamydia infection is a must as if it is left untreated it can result in other severe health as well as reproductive problem. These can have adverse consequences during the long term. Screening of sexually active women who are not pregnant is necessary to prevent this infection. Use of antibiotics can treat Chlamydia infection, and if one person is treated then their partner would also need treatment. The medications prescribed by the centres for disease control are:
Azithromycin: 1 gram single oral dose
Doxycycline: 100 milligrams twice daily for seven days
Tetracycline
Erythromycin
Ciprofloxacin: 500 milligrams twice daily for 3 days
Untested treatments
Practicing safe sex is the only way of preventing Chlamydia infection.
