Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. Not all people contaminated with chlamydia have symptoms, so the infection can go unnoticed for many years. Patients with asymptomatic chlamydia become permanent sources of contamination, which is why chlamydia is the most common STD in the world. Whoever transmits chlamydia may not know that it is contaminated and whoever gets contaminated may not know who infected it.
Signs and Symptoms
In women, the main symptoms of chlamydia are:
- Vaginal run.
- Vaginal bleeding.
- Abdominal pain.
- Pain during sex.
- Burning or pain when urinating.
In men, the most common symptoms of chlamydia include:
- Burning or pain when urinating.
- Outflow purulent urethra.
- Swelling of the scrotal sac.
- Pain in the testicles
- Proctitis (inflammation of the anus that occurs in passive homosexual men).
Risk Factors
- Age: 15-25 years
- Gender: Chlamydia trachomatis is more common among women; venereal lymphogranuloma is six times more common among men
- Multiple sexual partners
- Have sex without a condom
- History of sexually transmitted diseases
Diagnosis of Chlamydia
The test to identify chlamydia is done through the urine or sample of material collected with a swab in the vagina, cervix or urethra. The results are available within 24-48 hours.
Treatment of Chlamydia
- The treatment of chlamydia is simple and is carried out through the administration of antibiotics. Azithromycin in a single dose of 1g is the most prescribed antibiotic. The infected patient must remain at least seven days without sexual activity after the start of treatment.
- An alternative to Azithromycin is Doxycycline for seven days. In patients with lymphogranuloma venereum or anal chlamydial infection, the Doxycycline regimen is the most indicated.
- As the clinical picture of chlamydia can be very similar to that of gonorrhea, it is common for the doctor to prescribe a treatment that acts on the two bacteria. Ceftriaxone is associated with Azithromycin.
- All couples of the infected patient should undergo tests and, if necessary, perform a treatment against chlamydia, even without presenting symptoms.
- It is possible to be contaminated with Chlamydia trachomatis more than once. Having previously had a chlamydial infection does not confer immunity.