Chlamydia

Overview

Chlamydia is a contagious STI (sexually transmitted infection), common in sexually active men and women. It is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, which can spread through unprotected sex with multiple or changing sex partners, sharing of sex toys, and so on.

The main types of causal organisms include Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Chlamydia psittaci. Symptoms are not prominent in the early stages. However, they include painful sex, pelvic or abdominal pain, burning feeling during urination and vaginal discharge.

Diagnosis includes tissue culture, urine and swab sample and NAAT. The infection can be cured easily with antibiotics, and following preventive measures can improve the sexual health of the patient.

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. While the infection is curable, the symptoms are often unnoticeable in the early stage until several weeks after the onset of this condition. The infection can cause health complications if left untreated including infertility, abdominal or pelvic pain, prostate gland infection and ectopic pregnancy.

Types of Chlamydia

Following are the 3 types of chlamydia that an individual suffers from depending on the causal organism:

Chlamydia trachomatis

It transmits commonly through oral, anal and vaginal sex. It may also spread from mother to baby during childbirth. An individual having the disease might not be aware, because of its asymptomatic nature. However, infection by Chlamydia trachomatis is common in young women, also affecting men and women of all age groups.

It affects the cervix in women and the urethra in men. Additionally, it can cause rectal pain, conjunctivitis bleeding and discharge. Oral infections can even cause a sore throat. Individuals may experience symptoms such as painful vaginal sex, testicular pain, vaginal discharge or bleeding between periods and after sexual intercourse, and painful urination.

Chlamydia pneumoniae

This is a variant of bacteria causing respiratory tract infections, which spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. The bacteria damages the lining of the upper and lower respiratory tract, including trachea, lungs and throat.

The bacteria commonly cause sore throats, ear infections and sinus infections. Worsening asthma, atherosclerosis, encephalitis, myocarditis and bronchitis are some complications of the infection. While it mimics the common respiratory infections, symptoms can include sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, low-grade fever, headache and fatigue.

Chlamydia psittaci

A zoonotic bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia psittaci, an obligate intracellular organism. The bacteria, also called ornithosis and parrot fever, spreads from being in contact with infected birds, causing a wide-ranging spectrum of severity and disease.

Symptoms may develop within 5 - 14 days of exposure to the bacteria and include muscle aches headaches, fevers and chills and dry cough. Pneumonia, hepatitis, and inflammation of the nerves or brain are usually some complications that may develop if the disease is left untreated.

Symptoms of Chlamydia

The bacterial infection does not usually show any symptoms until several weeks after an individual gets involved in unprotected sexual activity. An infected woman may experience symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge, which may have a strong odour; a burning sensation while peeing; and bleeding during menstruation and after sex.

Symptoms such as painful sex and lower abdominal pain show up when the infection spreads. Men may notice signs such as discharge from the penis, a burning sensation when urinating, inflammation or pain in one or both testicles. Spreading of the infection to the rectum can cause bleeding, discharge and pain.

Causes of Chlamydia

Chlamydia is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, which spread through any sexual activity including anal, oral and vaginal sex. A pregnant mother can also transmit the infection to her baby during childbirth (also called neonatal chlamydia). Sharing sex toys with an infected person can also pass down the infection.

Risk Factors of Chlamydia

Individuals under the age of 25 and sexually active are at higher risk of infection than older people. Unprotected sex, new, changing or multiple sex partners can also raise the risk for chlamydia. Individuals who engage in high-risk activities like ‘fisting’ (damages the mucosal tissue) are also at risk. In addition, being born to a pregnant woman with chlamydia can also increase concerns.

Diagnosis of Chlamydia

Sexually active women of 25 years or younger, men who are sexually involved with men and older women who have multiple or new sex partners must get a chlamydia screening. A healthcare provider may ask for a urine sample, or use a cotton swab to get a fluid sample from the vagina. Other diagnosis methods include nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) and tissue culture.

Treatment for Chlamydia

The bacterial infection can be treated with prescription-based antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax) or doxycycline. Severe infections may require hospital care, IV antibiotics and pain relievers. With proper chlamydia treatment, the infection goes away in 1 to 2 weeks.

Preventive Measures for Chlamydia

Preventive measures include limiting unprotected sex with new or multiple partners; using dental dams to cover female genitals during vagina-to-vagina contact or oral sex; avoiding sharing sex toys; and getting screened for STIs regularly. One must also ensure the correct use of condoms during anal or vaginal sex.

Myths and Facts Related to Chlamydia

The myths and facts related to the Chlamydia are listed below:

Myth 1: An individual will know if they have chlamydia
Fact: Individuals with chlamydia often are unaware of the bacterial infection, as the symptoms are often silent or hidden. Getting screened for the infection can help in this case.

Myth 2: Chlamydia goes away on its own
Fact: The infection requires to be treated with antibiotics, or else it can cause long-term complications including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), arthritis and infertility.

Myth 3: Chlamydia affects women only
Fact: Chlamydia can occur in anyone who has been involved in any sexual activity. While women are more likely to experience severe complications, including infertility and long-term pain, men can also develop this infection through sexual partners.

FAQs