Chlamydia

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria. In Ghana, chlamydia has a prevalence of about 22.5%. People who have chlamydia often don’t have outward symptoms in the early stages. In fact, it’s estimated that 40 to 96 percent of people with chlamydia have no symptoms. But chlamydia can still cause health problems later. It is important to check for chlamydia if you have been diagnosed with other sexually transmitted infections.

How do you get chlamydia?

Sex without a condom or other barrier method and oral sex without a barrier method are the main ways a chlamydia infection can be transmitted. Penetration doesn’t have to occur to contract it. Touching genitals together may transmit the bacteria. It can also be contracted during anal sex. Newborn babies can acquire chlamydia from their mother during vaginal birth.

What are the symptoms and complications of chlamydia?

Chlamydia is often referred to as a “silent infection” because most people with a chlamydia infection don’t experience any symptoms. However, it can cause several symptoms in others, including: pain, a burning sensation while urinating and abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina. Some symptoms in men include burning sensation during urination, yellow or green discharge from the penis, pain in the lower abdomen and pain in the testicles. If the infection occurs in the anus, the main symptoms are often: discharge, pain and bleeding.

Having oral sex with someone who has the infection raises the risk of getting chlamydia in the throat. Symptoms can include a sore throat, cough, or fever. It’s also possible to carry bacteria in the throat and not know it. If a woman contracts chlamydia it may take several weeks before any symptoms appear. Some of the most common symptoms of chlamydia in women include: painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), vaginal discharge, burning sensation during urination, pain in the lower abdomen, inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis) and bleeding between periods.

In some women, the infection can spread to the fallopian tubes, which may cause a condition called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is a medical emergency. The symptoms of PID are fever, severe pelvic pain, nausea and abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods.

How can you prevent a chlamydia infection?

Abstaining from sexual activity is the only guaranteed way to prevent chlamydia. However, if you are sexually active, there are several simple steps you can take to decrease your risk of contracting chlamydia, as well as many other STIs. Here are a few ways to reduce your risk:

• Use barrier methods. Using a condom, dental dam, or other barrier method each time you have oral, vaginal, or anal sex can help significantly decrease the risk of infection.
• Get tested. Getting screened regularly for STIs can help prevent the transmission of chlamydia and ensure that you get treatment if needed. A doctor can help determine how often you should get tested, depending on your risk level. Communicate with your sexual partners about STI prevention.

What is the treatment for chlamydia?

Chlamydia is easy to treat and can be cured. Since it’s bacterial in nature, antibiotics treat it. Azithromycin is an antibiotic usually prescribed in a single, large dose. Doxycycline is an antibiotic that must be taken twice per day for about 1 week.