Chlamydia, often referred to as the “silent” sexually transmitted infection (STI), is one of the most common STIs worldwide with more than 130 million new cases annually, according to WHO estimates. Its ability to go unnoticed due to a lack of visible symptoms makes it particularly dangerous, leading to potential long-term health complications if left untreated. Understanding chlamydia symptoms, causes and treatment options is essential for maintaining sexual health and preventing its spread. So, read on to learn about chlamydia meaning and prevention.
What is Chlamydia?
Before diving into the signs and symptoms, let’s learn the chlamydia meaning in brief; it is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, primarily transmitted through sexual contact. It is one of the most common STIs, affecting millions of individuals globally. Because its cases are often asymptomatic, it’s easy to spread it to someone else without realising it. And it’s easy to miss out on receiving the treatment needed to prevent the serious complications that can result from a chlamydia infection.
Causes of a Chlamydia Infection
Chlamydia is caused by sexual contact. It happens when semen or vaginal fluid infected with the chlamydia trachomatis bacteria transmits from individual to individual. There are several ways in which the fluids from an infected individual’s genitals can transmit chlamydia trachomatis to someone else. These include:
- Intercourse
- Anal sex
- Oral sex
- Sex involving toys
- Manual stimulation of the anus or genitals
Chlamydia Symptoms
This infection is commonly known as a silent STI because most individuals who have it do not experience chlamydia symptoms. If you do get symptoms, you will experience them differently depending on your sex. In most cases, the symptoms appear within one week to three months of unprotected intercourse. However, it can also take more than three months.
Chlamydia symptoms women include:
- White, grey, or yellow discharge that may be smelly
- Bleeding between periods
- Pain during intercourse
- Painful periods
- Itching or burning in an around the vagina
- Dull pain in lower abdomen
- Pus in the urine
- Increased need to urinate
- Pain or burning sensation during urination
Chlamydia symptoms male include:
- Clear, watery or mucus-like discharge from the penis
- Pain or a burning sensation during urination
Is Chlamydia Curable?
A chlamydia infection is both treatable and curable. Don’t wait for it to clear up on its own. If not treated, it can lead to severe health problems for you. It can be treated with antibiotics in a couple of weeks. The antibiotics commonly used for chlamydia treatment are:
- Doxycycline: Taking over a week, this antibiotic is the preferred choice.
- Azithromycin: Typically taken as a single dose, this antibiotic is recommended as the first choice for pregnant women.
Here are some tips to ensure successful chlamydia treatment:
- Always use antibiotics that your doctor has recommended for you and use all the medicines until they are finished even if you start feeling better.
- Find out from your provider what more you need to do to confirm that your infection is cleared once you are done with your medication.
- Avoid sexual intercourse until your infection has been treated. Follow all the medications that your provider prescribed to you and do not engage in any sexual activity in the meantime.
- Inform any sexual partners from the last three months that you’re infected so that they can go for testing as well.
- Test for other STIs like HIV/AIDS, herpes, syphilis, and gonorrhoea as people can have more than one STI at a time and should get treatment that is specific to the STI.
How to Prevent a Chlamydia Infection?
To prevent this STI, it’s advisable to adopt safer sex practises a part of your everyday sex life:
- Always use condoms during penetrative sex, anal sex, and oral sex.
- During oral sex, use dental dams.
- Do not borrow toys, but if you do, clean them after use and put those that are for penetration in a condom.
- Do not have sex with many partners, and if your partner has sex with many people, do not have sex with him/her.
Conclusion
Chlamydia is a common yet serious STI that often isn’t noticed because of its lack of visible symptoms. Recognising chlamydia symptoms, even when subtle, and seeking timely treatment is crucial to avoid long-term health complications. With proper diagnosis and treatment, it is entirely curable. Practising safe sex and regular testing can help prevent the spread of this infection and protect your sexual health as well as overall well-being.
