Chlamydia: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment of this STD

A disease that can cause serious infections or even lead to infertility.

Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs are a worldwide pandemic that has affected human beings for centuries. The best known and most worrying at present is HIV, which has no known cure for the moment, but it is not the only STD that exists.

Gonorrhea or syphilis are also old acquaintances of mankind (the latter has been responsible for the death of a large number of historical figures), although fortunately, despite being highly dangerous, they are nowadays treated.

But perhaps the most frequent sexually transmitted disease, and at the same time much less well known than the previous ones, is chlamydia. It is about the latter that we are going to talk in this article.

Chlamydia: what is it?

Chlamydia or chlamydiasis is, as we have discussed above, a sexually transmitted disease (or sexually transmitted infection) caused by infection generated by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the most common STD or STI, being present in a high percentage of the population and in many cases existing asymptomatically. Although it is considered a minor venereal disease by the majority of the population, the truth is that it can have severe can have severe consequences for sufferers if left untreated..

This infection can occur in both men and women in the genitals (urethra or uterus), anus or throat depending on the route of infection. Young people, especially women, are more at risk, people with multiple sexual partnersIt is a type of infection that is not discussed at a social level, being frequent that infected persons present symptoms (this being one of the reasons why it is more prevalent).

It is a type of infection little discussed at a social level, being frequent that infected persons present symptoms (this being one of the reasons why it is more prevalent, since by not noticing anything, infected persons continue to spread the disease).

Also, one aspect to be taken into account is that chlamydia usually occurs together with other sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, and the fact that it facilitates the risk of the sufferer contracting another STD, including HIV.including HIV.

Main symptoms and stages

One of the main problems of chlamydia is that in a large number of cases the infection is silent, with no noticeable symptoms appearing. However, this does not mean that the infection does not progress, and it can cause the same health problems as the rest of the population if left untreated.

In those subjects in whom chlamydia presents symptoms, symptoms differ slightly between men and women, symptoms differ slightly between men and women.

In the case of men, infection of the urethra usually appears between one and three weeks after sexual contact, manifested by Pain when urinating and the secretion of a milky substance (which may be whitish or transparent), especially in the mornings. These secretions can impregnate and stain underwear. There may be swelling of the testicles and pain in the penis.. If sex has been anal or oral, the infection appears in these areas. In the eyes may cause conjunctivitis.

In the case of women, it is not uncommon for there to be alterations in the flow in terms of temporality, quantity or even color (yellowish). The discharge may even have a strong characteristic odor. characteristic odor. Pain often occurs during intercourse or urination.

In summary, in both men and women it is common for pain or stinging to appear at the time of urination or sexual intercourse, as well as ventral pain. Milky discharge from the penis in men or vaginal bleeding out of time or yellowish discharge in women is not uncommon. In the case of anal, oral or ocular infection, pain, itching, discharge, bleeding or inflammation in these areas is not uncommon. These infections can lead to episodes of fever..

The spread of this disease

Something very common in sexually transmitted diseases is the lack of knowledge on the part of the majority of the population regarding the routes of infection that exist. In the case of chlamydia, it is transmitted in most cases through sexual contact with an infected person, whether or not there is ejaculation..

The infection can occur when there is vaginal or anal penetration, as well as oral penetration, without any type of barrier method (condom or other barrier methods). This last detail is important, since a large number of people are unaware of the risk of infection by this route.

In addition to this type of contact, infection may also occur if semen or vaginal fluid comes into contact with other mucous membranessuch as the eyes, by touching hands soaked with such fluids. Chlamydia is also an infection that can be transmitted to a baby during childbirth, if the mother is infected.

Other types of contact, such as airborne contact or contact with saliva in the case of sneezing, kissing or drinking from the same glass does not allow the spread of this disease. It is also important to bear in mind that overcoming this disease does not provide immunity immunity to the disease, so that new sexual contacts with infected persons may lead to reinfection.

Consequences

Seen up to this point it may seem that chlamydia is not an excessively serious disease, but the truth is that it can have very important consequences for health and personal well-being, or even lead to death in some cases.

Untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic disease. can eventually lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. can lead to infertility, and can even degenerate into an ectopic pregnancy (in which the fertilized egg develops outside the uterus and usually in the fallopian tubes, something that could burst this area and could lead to death by internal bleeding) in the case of women.

In the case of transmission to a fetus during childbirth, chlamydia can lead to eye infections and even pneumonia in the baby, or even the birth of low birth weight babies. Also greatly increases the possibility of miscarriage..

Treatment

One of the reasons why chlamydia is often underestimated is the fact that there is a curative treatment available today that can be applied to the child. has a curative treatment that can be applied relatively easily.. However, this treatment will cure the chlamydia infection but not any other damage it has caused.

Chlamydia treatment is mainly based on the administration of antibiotics, with different modalities (there is even a single-dose version). The other major pillar to take into account when it comes to eradicating this disease is prevention: it is necessary to use condoms or barrier methods when having vaginal intercourse. when having vaginal, anal or oral sex when we are not in a monogamous relationship or have multiple sexual partners.

It is also advisable to be tested from time to time if we are a population at risk, if we are planning to conceive or if there is an ongoing pregnancy. In case of infection, intercourse should be avoided until treatment is completed. Sexual partner(s) should also be treated even if they do not show symptoms. It is advisable to be tested about three months after the end of treatment. after completion of treatment.

Bibliographic references:

• Braunwald, E.; Fauci, A.S.; Kasper, D.L.; Hauser, S.T.; Longo, D.L. & Jameson, J.L. (2001).Harrison’s Principle of Internal Medicine.15th Edition. McGraw Hill.
• National Institute of Health (n.d.). Infecciones por clamidia. MedlinePlus. Disponible en: https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/chlamydiainfections.html
• Workowski, K.A.; Bolan, G.A. (2015) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. MMWR Recomm Rep.;64(RR-03):1-137