Chlamydia is a disease spread via the bacterium called Chlamydia Trachomatis. Chlamydia is a sexually transferred disease and is completely curable only when diagnosed and treated with proper medication. If left unnoticed or without treatment, Chlamydia can cause grave tribulations to one’s sexual health.

Chlamydia is basically transferred during anal, vaginal or oral sexual intercourse with a partner who is already infected with the Chlamydia Trachomatis bacterium. It affects not only men and women but also newborn babies whose mother’s were infected while conceiving. It is one of the most sexually transmitted disease or commonly known as STD across nations.

In some cases, where the woman neglects treatment of Chlamydia, can end up in having PID (Pelvic Inflammatory disease). And in case of men, when left without being treated it widens into a very painful situation called Epididymits.

Symptoms in Women

The early signs (during the first 3 weeks) of Chlamydia include the following:

• Vaginal ache
• Excruciating discomfort while urination
• Irregular Vaginal discharge
• Vaginal discharge along with pus
• Meek aches in the lower portion of the abdominal area

Symptoms in men

The early signs (during the first 3 weeks) of Chlamydia include the following:

• White, cloudy or watery discharge from the tip of the penis
• Pain, discomfort or a 'burning sensation' when urinating
• Inflammation, tenderness and pain in and around the testicles

How does it affect a woman during pregnancy?

Women who are pregnant while suffering from Chlamydia are prone to severe complications like   premature delivery, infection in the amniotic fluid and sac and severe issues like rupturing of the membranes due to premature delivery also called as PPROM (Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes). 

However, the risks and complications can be minimized or decreased if not completely resolved by undergoing the proper medical treatment.

An important thing to remember here is that Chlamydia when left without being treated may put the patient at a higher risk of being more vulnerable to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, when exposed to them. Also, if left untreated for long, Chlamydia increases the chances of uterine infection in pregnant women after child birth.

There are other issues like passing of the bacteria (Chlamydia Trachomatis) from the mother to the child while in labor. This is the case for mothers who deliver their child either normally or via c-section.

Chlamydia Infection in a new born

It can be passed to an unborn child via the mother who is infected. New born affected by Chlamydia can suffer an eye infection with swollen eyelids for the first 10 days after the delivery. It can suffer from pneumonia which includes coughing and clogging of the lungs. However, both eye infection and pneumonia can be treated via oral medication.

To avoid Chlamydia infection, most of the hospitals advice women to take a Chlamydia infection test as in some cases it can cause premature delivery or miscarriage too.

How widespread is a Chlamydia infection in men and women?

Chlamydia infection is more common in men and women under the age of 25 years. The probability of a Chlamydia infection expands with two or more partners and unprotected sex (without using a condom). A one-time sexual intercourse with a person infected by Chlamydia can also cause the disease in a normal person.

Diagnosing Chlamydia

Diagnosing Chlamydia infection involves the collection of urinary sample (preferably the first urine of the day). The main drawback of this method is that it is not too reliable in case of men when compared to women. Hence, the older method of swab samples still holds well for men (although inconvenient).

The newer methods use an amplification test called Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT).

Treatment of Chlamydia Infection

Chlamydia can be treated with the help of either a 7-day antibiotic course of doxyxline or by using azithromycin which is a one day dose. It has been observed in more than 95% of major cases that Chlamydia infection diagnosed in the early stages can be cured with the help of antibiotics. But, ensure that your partner is treated along with you as well, or else, the risk of being infected again, increases. The medical doctor will advise you to abstain from any oral, anal or vaginal intercourse until the 7-day treatment or 1-day treatment is completed.

Treatment of Chlamydia infection in pregnant women

Chlamydia infection in pregnant women is taken care by prescribing a proper dosage of antibiotic medicine which is safe to be consumed during pregnancy. The doctor usually gives either a one-day dose or a 7-day course; however in most cases the one-day dose does the trick.

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