Chlamydia
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Both men and women of all ages can contract chlamydia but it’s most common in young people who change sexual partners regularly. In Australia, 75% of cases occur in people under the age of 30.
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported infectious disease in Australia with 97,000 people being diagnosed with it each year. Left untreated, this infection can lead to complications including infertility and fatal ectopic pregnancy.
Symptoms of chlamydia
Around 75% of women and 50% of men do not show any early symptoms of chlamydia. If symptoms appear, they usually occur 7 to 14 days after having unprotected sex. Symptoms for men and women are different.
Female symptoms may include:
unusual vaginal discharge
bleeding or spotting between periods
pain during sex
bleeding after sex
pain or burning when urinating
pain in the lower abdomen
Male symptoms may include:
a clear or ‘milky’ discharge from the penis
redness around the opening of the penis
swollen testicles
pain or burning when urinating
What causes chlamydia?
The bacteria that causes chlamydia live and grow in the fluids secreted during sexual activity. These bacteria can be transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the infection. The chance of getting chlamydia via unprotected sex from someone who has chlamydia is between 30% and 50%.
Even after being successfully treated, you can be re-infected with chlamydia.
How is chlamydia diagnosed?
Chlamydia is easy to diagnose either through a urine test and/or a swab from the vagina, cervix, anus or penis. Both samples will be sent to a laboratory for testing.
How to treat chlamydia
If it’s detected early, chlamydia is usually treated with a single dose of antibiotics. However, a longer course of antibiotics will be required if there are complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
You should avoid any kind of sex (protected or unprotected) for seven days after you and your current partner have completed treatment, to avoid the chance of reinfection. You should also have a follow-up test three months after you have completed treatment to ensure you haven’t been re-infected.
If you have chlamydia, you should tell anyone you’ve had sex with during the last six months, so they can be tested and treated too. You should avoid having sex with any partners from the past six months until they have been tested and treated.
Complications of chlamydia
If not treated properly, chlamydia can lead to some serious complications, which may include:
arthritis
skin rashes
inflammation in the eye or rectum
infertility in both men and women
pelvic inflammatory disease in women
ectopic pregnancy
miscarriage
premature birth
eye or lung infections in newborns
When should you see your doctor?
If you notice any of the symptoms of chlamydia visit your doctor and get checked. Early treatment can reduce the risk of complications.
You should also have annual sexual health check-ups (which includes testing for chlamydia) if you are sexually active. If you change sexual partners frequently, you should have sexual health check-ups more often. Ask your doctor how often this should be.
Can you prevent chlamydia?
There are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of getting chlamydia and other STIs. These include:
using protection every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex
avoiding sex with someone who has chlamydia until 7 days have passed since their last dose of antibiotics
regularly getting tested for chlamydia and other STIs, especially if you are under 30 and sexually active
Your local MediADVICE Pharmacist is available to help you manage your health. Speak to your MediADVICE Pharmacist about your symptoms so we can recommend products and medications that may be suitable for you, or refer you to a doctor if necessary.
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