Bacterial STD Chlamydia: Everything You Need to Know

Chlamydia is a curable and preventable Sexually Transmitted Disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia Trachomatis.

According to the WHO, 2020 witnessed around 128.5 million infections among adults worldwide.

Thus, learning about its causes and symptoms is essential for proper diagnosis, testing, and treatment options.

This article will deeply elaborate on this STD, from its symptoms and transmission to its effective treatment options and preventions.

So, let’s delve into the topic and learn in detail.

What is Chlamydia

Chlamydia is an STD caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia Trachomatis.

It is a gram-negative bacteria (does not retain the stain).

This bacteria infects the columnar epithelium of the urogenital sites, such as the cervix, rectum, and urethra, and nongenital sites, such as the lungs and eyes in people.

The epithelium is a cell layer that forms the surface of the internal and external body, organs, and glands.

What are Chlamydia symptoms

The infection may show the following signs in men and women:

Chlamydia symptoms in men

In men, it may cause the following symptoms:

Burning or itching penis

It can cause inflammation of the tip of the penis and is referred to as Balanitis.

Though Balanitis is not an STD, it is a sign of infection in men.

Discharge from the penis

Men with infection has a discharge that may appear mucus-like or clear with a watery consistency from the penis.

Further, urine may appear cloudy and unclear.

Conjunctivitis-like symptoms

When in contact with infected genital secretions, people may also notice pink eye or Conjunctivitis-like symptoms in some cases.

It may cause teary and painful eyes.

Frequent and painful urination

It can cause painful and frequent urination in people.

These symptoms may intertwine with UTI symptoms and thus need a proper diagnosis.

Further, it may also cause a burning and painful sensation during urination.

It may be caused when urine comes in contact with the irritated muscles in the urethra that stimulate pain receptors and cause pain.

Symptoms of Chlamydia in women

Although 70% to 80% of women infected with this STD are asymptomatic, some may notice a few symptoms.

The symptoms of this infection in women can include the following:

Abnormal vaginal discharge with a distinct odor

According to NCBI, women infected with uncomplicated Chlamydia may have mucus-like vaginal fluid secretion.

It may vary in color, such as white, grey, or yellow. 

The released vaginal fluid may be present with a distinct odor or odorless.

Vaginal bleeding in between periods

Sometimes, Chlamydia may cause bleeding from the vagina in women in between periods.

Chlamydia may also cause rectal (the lower part of the large intestine) bleeding, discharge, and pain.

Irregular menstrual cycle

As per NCBI, this STD is significantly correlated with irregular menstruation in infertile women.

Further, it can also be associated with the history of previous abortions and hormonal and ovarian factors.

Other symptoms

Some other symptoms in women may include the following:

• Itching in the genitals
• Painful urination
• Swollen and painful glands at the vaginal opening
• Lower abdominal pain
• Painful sexual experience
• Fever
• Cloudy urine
• Tiredness and fatigue

How do you get Chlamydia

According to a report, the infection-causing bacteria can spread in the following ways from one person to another:

• Vaginal sex
• Anal sex
• Oral sex
• From infected mother to her child during childbirth

Fortunately, it cannot be transmitted through casual contact, such as holding hands, sharing foods or drinks, hugging, coughing, sneezing, and kissing.

How to test for Chlamydia

People infected with this infection can consult a healthcare practitioner and get tests to detect the pathogen.

Each test looks for the infection-causing pathogen in different body parts in the following ways:

Urine test

A healthcare practitioner may recommend a urine test to diagnose this STD.

People with infection have to collect a urine sample in a sterile container to detect the bacteria further.

The test detects the bacterial DNA in the urine sample and is called the Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT).

For an accurate result, the infected person should stop urinating for two hours before collecting the urine.

Swab test

In rare cases, a cell culture can also be done to detect Chlamydia infection.

A healthcare practitioner can collect samples from the anus or throat, depending on the history of sexual intercourse.

Cells are then sent to the laboratory. If bacteria are present, they will multiply in numbers and indicate the presence of infection.

Chlamydia treatment options

Antibiotics play a pivotal and successful role in treating the symptoms.

As bacteria cause Chlamydia, it can be treated with antibiotics. 

Antibiotics can kill the infection-causing pathogen and treat the condition. 

The two primary prescribed antibiotics for this STD include:

• Azithromycin
• Doxycycline

Also, your doctor may prescribe other antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin or Erythromycin, if you are allergic, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

You may be prescribed a one-time dosage or need to take the medication daily for seven days multiple times.

The infection may usually clear within one or two weeks after the antibiotic course.

However, you should avoid sexual intercourse until the treatment is completed. 

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How long does Chlamydia last

The symptoms may go away after one or two weeks of the antibiotic course.

However, the test results may remain positive for four weeks after the completion of treatment procedures.

Completing the antibiotic course is recommended to reduce the chances of bacterial transmission.

How long can Chlamydia go undiagnosed

The symptoms of this STD may appear within two weeks after getting infected or may be asymptomatic (without symptoms) in many cases.

Moreover, a person may have the infection for weeks, months, or even years without knowing it.

Thus, it can be assumed that this STD may stay for a longer duration in your body without being diagnosed.

What happens if Chlamydia is left untreated

Without treatment, it may lead to the following serious health problems in men and women:

Infertility

Infection with this STD can cause adhesions and tubal obstructions and is recognized to lead to tubal infertility in women.

Further, without treatment, it may also reduce male fertility by damaging sperm and affecting the sperm parameters.

Prematurity

A baby born before thirty-seven weeks is considered premature and is referred to as prematurity.

This infection during pregnancy may lead to the premature rupture of the membrane and cause prematurity.

It may also lead to the following complications:

• Low birth weight of child
• Perinatal mortality (death of a baby between 28 weeks of gestation and before the first seven days of life)
• Neonatal conjunctival (red eye in infants due to infection or inflammation)
• Respiratory infection

Ectopic pregnancy

Without treatment, it can cause inflammation of tubes and other reproductive organs.

Thus, it can also increase the risks of ectopic pregnancy in women.

Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases

The infection can spread in the fallopian tube or uterus and increase the risks of Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases (PIDs)

It may cause lower abdominal and pelvic pain.

Epididymitis

Chlamydia may cause Epididymitis in men

It occurs when the bacteria infects the testicles and epididymis (a duct that carries sperm).

Further, it may lead to tenderness in the testicles, swelling, and pain.

Arthritis

Infection can lead to the development of Reactive Arthritis (swollen joints).

Reactive Arthritis is an inflammatory Arthritis that occurs due to a gastrointestinal or genitourinary infection.

Urethritis

This STD is the most common cause of nongonococcal Urethritis (caused by pathogens other than Gonorrhea) in people.

Urethritis can be understood as inflammation of the urethra.

Orchitis

Orchitis can be defined as inflammation of one or both testicles.

It is caused due to bacterial infections, such as Chlamydia.

High risks of HIV

Without treatment, it can increase the risk of getting or transmitting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Therefore, it is recommended to seek prompt medical attention and treatment to prevent the progression of your STDs.

How to prevent Chlamydia

You can prevent the transmission of infection in the following ways:

• Have safe sex by using barriers, such as condoms and dental dams
• Avoid sex with multiple partners
• Always take STD tests before having sex with a new partner
• If detected with infection, abstain from sex for at least a week until the completion of the antibiotic course

The points mentioned above can help you prevent acquiring and transmitting the infection.

However, it is important to seek medical attention and treatment if detected.

Conclusion

Chlamydia is a curable and preventable STD caused by bacteria.

It can show various symptoms in infected men, such as burning or itching in the genitals, the penis, and penile discharge.

It may also show symptoms in women, such as vaginal itching and discharge and bleeding in between the menstrual cycles.

You can get this bacterial infection through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Also, women can transmit this infection to their children during childbirth.

Fortunately, you can detect the infection with urine and swab tests.

Furthermore, treatment of the infection is possible with the effectiveness of antibiotics. The symptoms may go away within two weeks after completion of treatment.

However,  the bacteria may stay for a longer duration in your body without being diagnosed. Without treatment, it may cause severe complications, such as infertility.

Therefore, early detection, treatment, and precautions are crucial for faster recovery and ensuring a healthy life. 

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