Chlamydia Infection – Common Questions Answered

Chlamydia is a common Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) that is caused by a type of bacteria, known as Chlamydia Trachomatis. It’s the most common STI that is spread unknowingly, as it is often symptom-free.

You can catch chlamydia by having unprotected sex with someone who is carrying the bacterial infection, or by coming into contact with their genital fluid (for example genital fluids being ingested or coming into contact with your eyes). You can also get chlamydia by sharing sex toys with an infected person or if your genitals come into contact with an infected individuals, even if there is no penetration. You can also get chlamydia through anal sex and oral sex.

You cannot catch chlamydia from swimming pools, toilet seats, kissing or hugging.

Chlamydia doesn’t usually display any symptoms in women. Only 30% of women experience symptoms, which can include:

• Pain on urination
• Vaginal dscharge
• Lower stomach or pelvic pain
• Painful sex
• Bleeding after sex
• Bleeding from the vagina

Around 50% of men infected experience symptoms, such as:

• Pain on urination
• Discharge from the penis
• Itchy or burning sensation around the urethra area
• Tender testicles

Females that that do not treat chlamydia are at risk of developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. This disease affects the reproductive system and can cause complications when trying to have a child.

Males that don’t treat chlamydia run the risk of it reaching their testicles, causing them to become swollen and inflamed. Not only is this painful, it can also cause infertility.

Not treating the infection can also cause reactive arthritis, a condition that causes inflammation of your joints, eyes or urethra (the tube that allows urine to pass out from the bladder). This condition can affect both males and females.

You can cure chlamydia with a short course of antibiotics. Treatment is considered to be extremely effective with a 97% chance of clearing the infection first time round. However, it is important that antibiotics are taken correctly and that you do not miss any doses, in order to ensure the effectiveness of treatment.

There are currently two antibiotics available to treat chlamydia:

• Doxycyline: This treatment is taken twice daily for 7 days. Research suggests that it is 100% effective in treating chlamydia.
• Azithromycin: This treatment is taken as a single dose only once, to cure the infection. Research suggests that it has a 97% success rate in treating chlamydia. Most people usually prefer this treatment over doxycycline, which needs to be taken two times a day for a week. It also has a lower side-effect profile.

If you forget a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to taking your next dose, or you remember when it’s time for your next dose, you should not take two tablets together. It’s unlikely that missing one dose will have an effect on the outcome of treatment, but you may want to have another test after finishing your treatment course, just to be sure.

Partial or no absorption of one tablet is unlikely to impact your treatment, and you should continue with your treatment course as prescribed. If you find that a particular antibiotic is making you feel nauseas, try taking it after food and avoid alcohol for the duration of your treatment. If you vomit more than once, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist about trying an alternative medication.

Azithromycin and Doxycycline are both proven and effective antibiotics, which have been used for many years to treat chlamydia. The medication that your doctor prescribes you will depend upon several factors such as your medical status (e.g. allergies, pregnancy, current medication you may be taking). Compliance issues may also be taken into consideration, for example, how likely you are to remember to take your medication. Price may also be a determining factor, which isn’t an issue considering both antibiotics have an extremely high success rate.

The antibiotics start to take effect from the moment they are taken. The all clear is usually given 7 days after you take your last tablet. This is because the antibiotics may still be working to clear the infection during this period, which is why sexual activity should be avoided until 7 days have passed since treatment has been completed.

A majority of people will not experience any symptoms, which is the main reason why chlamydia is so common. Those that do will usually experience symptoms anywhere between 7-21 days after they’ve caught the infection. Occasionally, some people may experience symptoms months later, meaning they have had chlamydia without realising.

Although chlamydia symptoms may have gone away, you may still be carrying the infection. The symptoms that you experience may not necessarily have been chlamydia, and you should carry out an STD test to find out whether or not you are infected. If you have engaged in unprotected sexual activity with someone who has a recent positive test, you should start treatment regardless.

Around 5 in 10 men and 7 in 10 women infected will not present with any symptoms. If you have been involved in any unprotected sexual activity with someone, and are unsure if they’re infected, you should have an STD test.

Unlike the common cold, it’s very rare that the immune system is able to deal with chlamydia. You should get treatment as soon as possible. Untreated chlamydia can lead to further health problems and complications such as the possibility of infertility.

It’s important to let your partners know, so that they can be treated and avoid re-infecting you, or anyone else with the disease.

Testing for chlamydia involves providing a urine sample that is sent for analysis in the laboratory. Results usually take a few days to come back.

There are a number of ways to test for chlamydia. You can either visit a sexual health clinic, your local GUM clinic, or order a test kit online.

Retesting after treatment is not usually necessary, as treatment is considered to be very effective. However, you should retest if:

• You are pregnant
• You have had sexual contact whilst taking treatment and within the 7 day period after treatment
• Your symptoms have not gone away
• You are HIV positive
• It will give you peace of mind (there is no harm in retesting)

You should take a test every time you change sexual partner, or after you share sex toys. Those under the age of 25 who are sexually active are recommended to have an STI test every 3 months.

• Use barrier methods such as condoms and dams
• Avoid sharing sex toys, or wash them thoroughly
• Have regular STD tests

It’s important to get treated for Chlamydia as soon as possible if you are a pregnant woman. This is because there is a chance you can pass the infection onto your child during birth. This can cause your child to develop health complications such as an eye infection or a more serious health problem such as pneumonia. Chlamydia can also increase the chances of complications such as premature birth, miscarriage and still birth. You should visit your GP to discuss treatment options. You should retest after treatment, and continue to get tested frequently if you are pregnant and have regular sexual partners.

Chlamydia Trachomatis, the bacteria responsible for this disease, is not able to survive outside the human body, therefore it is not possible to contract chlamydia from sharing toilet seats, bedding, clothes or towels. You can only catch the infection when genital fluid comes into direct contact with bodily tissue such as the eye, urethra or cervix. The same principal applies to swimming pools as the bacteria is unable to survive in hostile conditions where chlorine is present.

Understanding chlamydia is key to prevention and management. Knowing its symptoms, transmission, and the benefits of prompt treatment can help to mitigate its effects. If you suspect you or a partner is at risk of infection, seek medical advice immediately. With proper knowledge and precautions, chlamydia is both preventable and treatable.