Chlamydia remains one of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections in the United States and is a very significant public health problem. CDC estimates that approximately 2.86 million chlamydial infections occur annually in the United States. The main hazard with chlamydia is its asymptomatic nature; the infection spreads undetected due to lack of symptoms in many cases. Let us get an idea about chlamydia, its causes, risk factors, symptoms, treatment options, and prevention methods.
03 October 2024
5 min read
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Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that can be transferred through sexual contact by exchanging body fluids, which include semen, vaginal secretions, and rectal fluids. Saliva and mucus can also harbor this infection. Due to the often-sneaky nature of this infection, late diagnosis occurs, leading to complications that become difficult to handle and very expensive. This infection, therefore, requires early diagnosis to be effectively treated.
The Cause: The Causative Bacterium
The bacterium of chlamydia is Chlamydia trachomatis, which is usually transmitted during sexual intercourse. It is passed on from a mother who has chlamydia to her newborn at birth and may cause pneumonia or serious eye infection in the baby.
The life cycle of Chlamydia trachomatis has two phases: the dormant elementary phase and the active reticulate phase. Most of the time, after infection has taken place, the bacteria will be in the elementary phase, during which there are no symptoms. A better understanding of this aspect helps avoid misinterpretation of when a person may have become infected and can help one to be more candid with one's sexual partner.
Risk Factors for Chlamydia
The major risk factor for chlamydia infection is being sexually active. Other risk factors include:
Having sexual relations below age 25
Having multiple sexual partners
Regular sexual intercourse without protection
Having a history of sexually transmitted infections
Also, reinfections can be contracted since immunity does not develop against the organism, making it important to have regular screening and risk management.
Symptoms and Signs of Chlamydia
Only 10% of males and 5%-30% of females show symptoms during the initial infection. Due to the bug's long generation time, the symptoms, which most of the time appear during urination or sexual intercourse, do not manifest until one to two weeks after exposure. Sometimes they never are.
Symptoms in Women
In females, the symptoms include:
Vaginal discharge resulting from cervical infection
Painful intercourse caused by the infection of the vagina
Abnormal uterine bleeding
Painful menstruation
Fever and chills
Lower abdominal pain, which indicates the spread of the infection to the fallopian tubes and uterus
Painful urination
Symptoms in Males
Men can present the following symptoms:
Painful urethra accompanied by discharge from the penis
Pain and swelling of the testicles
Painful intercourse or ejaculation
Fever and chills
Painful urination
Both men and women run the risk of rectal pain and bleeding should they be infected in the rectum—whether through anal sex itself or via spread from other sexual organs. Infection can also be passed on to the eyes, with resultant conjunctivitis.
Chlamydia: The Less Common Symptoms and Complications
The other modes of chlamydial infection include pharyngitis via oral sex and, very rarely, perihepatitis due to liver capsule infection, which presents as abdominal pain with a burning sensation. Reactive arthritis, a post-inflammatory process, may result in joint pains and inflammation of the eyes and urethra.
If left untreated for a long time, chlamydia can have several serious complications:
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): The bacterium may pass through the cervix and uterus upwards to the fallopian tubes and ovaries, causing PID, characterized by symptoms such as backache, tenderness of the lower abdomen, and fever.
Infertility: The scar deformity caused to the fallopian tubes and the epididymis due to inflammation may result in infertility problems for both men and women.
Ectopic Pregnancy: Scarring in the fallopian tubes due to the infection increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy, where the egg gets attached outside the uterus.
Newborn Complications: Infection of chlamydia can be transmitted to the newborn by the infected mother at the time of delivery. The neonate may develop an eye infection or pneumonia.
Scarring and Fissures in the Rectum: This may happen if the rectum is involved, presenting with pain and bleeding with the passage of stool and constipation.
Increased Chance of Cervical Cancer: A 2016 study showed that chlamydia infection, in addition to the human papilloma virus (HPV), increases a woman's chance of cervical cancer.
Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV): Sexual infection by LGV, whose symptoms are similar to syphilis, is brought about by specific serotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis.
Diagnosis of Chlamydia
The commonest diagnostic tests for chlamydia are the nucleic acid amplification tests. These require a swab specimen from the urethra in men or the cervix/vagina in women. Urine samples with a chlamydia rapid test kit may be employed. In case of persistence of symptoms after treatment, re-testing is recommended since chlamydia can reinfect as immunity does not develop against it.
Uncomplicated chlamydia is usually easily treatable with oral antibiotics such as azithromycin, erythromycin, and doxycycline. A 2017 review of studies found similar cure rates among the three options, though most patients tolerated azithromycin best.
It is important that a full course of the prescribed antibiotic treatment be taken. Severe cases would require hospital admission for symptoms to be managed with intravenous antibiotics.
Prevention of Chlamydia
Prevention strategies for chlamydia include:
Abstain from sexual intercourse
Reduce the number of sex partners
Correctly use barrier methods such as condoms every time you have sex
Get routinely tested for chlamydia if you are sexually active and under 25
When to Seek Medical Care
You should immediately see a doctor if you suspect symptoms of chlamydia or if a sexual partner has tested positive for the infection.
Early detection and proper treatment help in preventing grave complications related to chlamydia. Though it is a common STI, chlamydia is one infection that can be treated easily, provided it is timely detected. Symptom identification, knowledge of risk factors, and compliance with prescribed treatments are very important in its management.
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