Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that is transmitted through sex without using a condom. This disease can infect men and women of all ages. However, most cases of chlamydia are experienced by young women who are sexually active. This disease can cause more serious health problems if not treated properly.
Symptoms of Chlamydia
Most people with chlamydia do not feel any symptoms when they first contract the disease. But after 1 to 3 weeks, usually new symptoms will appear. Although it has appeared, symptoms of chlamydia are often overlooked because it is usually not severe and passes immediately. Symptoms experienced by men are different from women. The only symptom that can be experienced by both is pain when urinating.
Half of men with chlamydia do not feel the symptoms of this disease, and the rest experience it. Symptoms that appear can be pain in the testicles, burning sensation or itching during urination, and the discharge of a thick or thin white liquid from the tip of the penis. Infection still occurs and can be transmitted even though the symptoms experienced are gone.
Whereas in women, the percentage of those who do not experience symptoms is around 70 percent, and the remaining 30 percent experience symptoms. Symptoms that appear can be bleeding when or after sex and unusual discharge from the vagina. In addition, there are also those who experience heavier periods than usual, bleeding between menstruation, and pain in the lower abdomen.
Chlamydia not only infects the genitals, but can also infect the eye and cause conjunctivitis if the vaginal fluid or infected sperm is affected by the eye. The infected eye feels sore, swollen, irritated, and secretes fluid. Anus can also be infected and cause bleeding, discharge, and pain and discomfort.
See a doctor immediately if you or your partner experience symptoms as mentioned above.
Causes of Chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. These bacteria are transmitted by patients through sexual intercourse without using condoms. Chlamydia transmission can be through oral, anal, vaginal sex, and contact with the genitals. In addition, chlamydia can also be transmitted through sex aids that are not coated with condoms or not washed thoroughly after use.
Having sex with many people or changing partners can increase the risk of contracting chlamydia.
Some other factors that can increase a person's risk of developing chlamydia are:
- Have had a sexually transmitted disease.
- Having more than one sexual partner / changing partners.
- Have sex without using a condom.
- Sexually active before the age of 18.
Chlamydia is not transmitted through the following:
- Hug
- Toilet seat
- Use the same tableware as the sufferer
- Share towels with sufferers
- Kiss
- Swim in the same pool
- Take a shower in the same bathroom
Chlamydial mothers can transmit infection to the baby who is born and cause the eyes to become swollen and release fluids or so-called conjunctivitis. Therefore, when planning a pregnancy or early in pregnancy, make sure you are not experiencing this infection and if it is positive, treat it as quickly as possible.
Chlamydia diagnosis
Chlamydia can be diagnosed in an easy and painless way, using a swab that is shaped like a cotton bud or through a urine sample test.
A thin swab is inserted into the tip of the penis to get a sample from the urethra or urethra. As for female patients, swabs are used on the inside of the lower vagina or cervix.
Swabs can be used to collect fluid samples from the eyelids if your eyes become inflamed due to chlamydia infection. In addition, swabs can also be used to take samples from the throat or anus if the patient has oral or anal sex.
The test should be done again after three months to make sure the chlamydia infection has completely disappeared. Chlamydia cannot be detected by a blood test or pap smear.
Chlamydia Treatment
Chlamydia can be treated using a combination of antibiotic drugs. Chlamydia treatment is recommended for those who:
The test results are positive for chlamydia
Having sex with chlamydia sufferers in the last 2 months, even though the person did not experience any symptoms.
Newborns with mothers who are positive for chlamydia during pregnancy and childbirth.
Here are some antibiotics that are usually prescribed by doctors to treat chlamydia:
- Ofloxacin
- Doxycycline
- Erythromycin
- Azithromycin
- Amoxicillin
Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have allergies to antibiotic drugs, or are using contraception. Antibiotics that are safe for consumption by pregnant women are amoxicillin, azithromycin, and erythromycin.
Patients are advised not to have sexual intercourse during the treatment period which usually lasts for 1-2 weeks or until the infection has completely disappeared. To prevent transmission again, your partner must also take medication even if you do not experience symptoms of chlamydia.
Antibiotics have several side effects, but are usually mild. Side effects that may occur after taking this drug are diarrhea, decreased appetite, nausea, flatulence, vomiting, abdominal pain and vaginal infections.
Chlamydia complications
Chlamydia can spread and cause long-term health problems if not handled properly. The following are some of the complications of chlamydia that can occur in male patients.
Epididimitis, which is inflammation and swelling of the epididymis which is part of the male reproductive system and the channel to drain sperm from the testicles. This disease can cause pain. If not treated immediately, fluid or even pus will come out. And if it's severe, infertility can occur.
Reactive arthritis, which is inflammation of the joints that is mostly experienced by men than women. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (eg ibuprofen) can be used to treat symptoms of this condition. Usually the symptoms will improve in approximately six months, but can return.
Uretritis, which is inflammation of the urinary tract or urethra. This condition is usually characterized by symptoms such as frequent or unable to resist urination, pain or pain during urination, the foreskin or the tip of the penis becomes irritated and feels pain, and the tip of the penis releases a thick white liquid.
Whereas in women, some complications that can occur due to chlamydia are:
Cervicitis, which is inflammation of the cervix or cervix. Symptoms of this condition can include lower abdominal pain, pain during intercourse, bleeding during or after sexual intercourse, and bleeding between menstrual periods.
Pelvic inflammatory disease, which is an infection of the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes. If left untreated, this condition can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy or fetal growth outside the uterus and miscarriage. 90 percent of PID cases are caused by complications of chlamydia and gonorrhea that are not treated properly. Pelvic inflammation can be treated using antibiotics.
Pregnancy complications. Pregnant women who suffer from chlamydia can infect their fetus if they do not take medication. If this happens, the baby in the womb can experience eye and lung infections. Chlamydia can also increase the risk of babies born prematurely or with low weight.
Bartholinitis or swelling of the Bartholin gland (a gland that produces lubricating fluid when a woman has sex). Bartholin's gland cyst can form if the gland is blocked and has an infection. In addition, this condition can also cause abscesses or pus accumulation that feels sore or sore when touched, is red, and causes fever.
Salpingitis, which is inflammation of the fallopian tube that causes the egg from the ovary to be difficult to reach the uterus and make the patient more difficult to get pregnant. The risk of having an ectopic pregnancy or pregnancy outside the uterus will increase, even though the fallopian tubes are only partially blocked.
Chlamydia prevention
There are several ways we can do to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia (including gonorrhea or genital herpes), namely by using condoms during sexual intercourse and not sharing the use of sex aids. The use of condoms is not 100 percent eliminating the risk of infection, but at least this method is quite effective in reducing the risk.
In addition, transmission of chlamydia can also be prevented by limiting the number of sexual partners or loyal to one partner. If you are actively engaging in sexual intercourse with more than one person, then you are advised to do regular examinations considering that chlamydia does not cause symptoms in some people.
Women are also advised not to clean the vagina too often, because it can reduce the number of good bacteria in it. A small amount of good bacteria will increase the risk of infection in the vagina.