Chlamydia is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection very commonly acquired as it mostly presents itself asymptomatic. The symptoms, if present, are varied in severity. Antibiotics can fight the infection quite effectively; however, chlamydia is an infection that is acquired only by sexual contact, and hence preventive measures in the form of safe sex are essential.
01 October 2024
4 min read
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The Potential Dangers of Asymptomatic Chlamydia
Chlamydia can be asymptomatic for many years and, if left untreated, will cause several health complications.Complications in Women: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
One of the serious risks to women involves PID, or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, a condition that occurs when chlamydia infection results in inflammation of the uterus, which is otherwise known as endometritis and the fallopian tubes, better known as salpingitis. PID is very dangerous to the reproductive health of a woman as it can result in infertility. Besides the added risk of a risky ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening complications, it may also cause extreme pain as its nature is active and progressive.
Urethritis: A Common Consequence of Untreated Chlamydia
Urethritis, or an inflamed urethra, is a common outcome when chlamydia goes untreated in both men and women. This can even lead to inflammation of the prostate gland and testicles in men, which can cause extreme pain and discomfort. Women will often encounter painful urination with a feeling of needing to use the bathroom constantly.
Male-Specific Conditions: Orchitis and Epididymitis
Orchitis is a testicular inflammation and may be characterized by a symptom that involves one or both testicles swelling, fever, nausea, or vomiting. The pains associated with the condition may range from mild to sharp.
Inflammation of the tube at the back of the testicle through which sperm passes characterizes epididymitis. Scrotum swelling, painful urination, penile discharge, or blood in the semen are frequent symptoms of epididymitis. If not well treated, such could result in severe complications like testicular infarction, abscess infection, and even infertility due to hypogonadism, a condition wherein the body fails to produce enough sex hormones.
Sexually Acquired Reactive Arthritis (SARA)
Sexually Transmitted Reactive Arthritis, SARA is another possible result of untreated chlamydia. Men are 9 times more prone to this illness, which will make the joints ache, stiff, and swollen, especially in the lower extremities. The only effective treatment for SARA is the treatment of the cause, combined with pain relievers and physiotherapy. Grave cases require more intensive therapeutic treatment.
Perihepatitis (Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome)
The rare complication due to PID is perihepatitis, a problem usually experienced by women. In this condition, the lining in the stomach and tissues surrounding the liver become inflamed. Symptoms are similar to those when experiencing appendicitis, with severe pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and night sweats. Pain can worsen with motion and may be crippling.
Chronic Pelvic Pain and Proctitis
Other long-term effects of untreated chlamydia include chronic pelvic pain, which is constant pain in the pelvic area for over six months; it is usually treated using medication which aims at treating the root cause.
Proctitis, or infection of the rectum, is a potential outcome of unprotected anal intercourse. The symptoms include frequent urges to move the bowels, pain, and discharge. Sometimes, proctitis may happen along with colitis; it is called proctocolitis and manifests itself by symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, or systemic symptoms.
Higher Vulnerability to HIV Infection
People with any STI, including chlamydia, are more susceptible to becoming infected with HIV because these infections create open sores or lesions. Thus, a person with untreated chlamydia is indirectly increasing their risk of HIV infection.
Complications of Chlamydia During Pregnancy
These risks make it important to screen for chlamydia during pregnancy. If chlamydia is left untreated, PID can result, which may cause ectopic pregnancy—the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus—a potentially fatal consequence.
Also, chronic pelvic pain, a complication of both chlamydia and PID, has implications for the quality of life during pregnancy. There is also an increased risk of delivering prematurely for women with untreated chlamydia.
Finally, an untreated chlamydia infection can be passed from woman to her newborn as the baby passes through the infected birth canal during delivery. Newborns infected with chlamydia may have health conditions such as an eye infection called conjunctivitis or a lung infection known as pneumonia.
Conclusion
It is thus pretty apparent that complications resulting from health problems can be many if the chlamydia infection remains untreated—some serious, even life-threatening. Some effective ways of keeping away from all potential risks and complications associated with this common STI are regular STD rapid testing, safe sexual practices, and prompt treatment upon infection.
STDs are common diseases that can be transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. Most STDs present symptoms in the form of skin rashes. Understanding the type and characteristics of th
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