Chlamydia - The infection can be treated easily but if left untreated can lead to health problems and fertility. Chlamydia is caused by bacteria that breed in the mucous membranes of the genitals. This can cause inflammation of the urethra, rectum and cervix. When infection occurs in the anus, you usually do not feel the symptoms although it may feel uncomfortable. Sometimes there is mucus, irritation, itching and pain. Chlamydia Infections in the throat may also not give any symptoms. If your eye is infected, the bacteria can cause irritation and discharge from one or both of your eyes (conjunctivitis).
Cause
Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. These bacteria can be transmitted from one person to another during intercourse. Chlamydia can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal birth. Infants who become infected will experience inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia) or the eyes (conjunctivitis).
Diagnosis
In addition to asking for a urine sample, the doctor can use a swab (a small round rod with a cotton swab as) to take samples of tissue from the vagina (for women) or end of the penis (for men). If you feel embarrassed, doctors may be able to entrust the use of swabs by your own. Urine and tissue samples from the swab will be sent to a lab for testing.
Treatment
Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics that must be taken within a few days. It's important to take the full dose of antibiotics, even though symptoms of chlamydia are gone. Stopping antibiotics prematurely will make bacteria resistant. During treatment, you should abstain from sex or use protection (condoms) until you and your partner complete the treatment.
If you have chlamydia when you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should notify your doctor prescribed antibiotics that are safe for your baby.
Symptoms in Women
Most chlamydia causes no symptoms or only vague symptoms. In asymptomatic condition can last long (could be years). In the meantime, you can transmit the disease without realizing it. Symptoms that may indicate chlamydia are:
- Liquid discharge more than usual
- Pain during urination
- Abnormal bleeding in between two menstrual
- Pain
- Abdominal pain.
Possible Complications in Women
Chlamydia can ascend to the fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease, which can spread to the abdominal cavity. Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause fever and abdominal pain. With antibiotic treatment that quickly and accurately as well as bed rest, pelvic inflammation can most completely healed. If late or left untreated, can lead to pelvic inflammatory lesion in the fallopian tubes. It can block the fallopian tubes and lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy.
Symptoms in Men
Men infected with chlamydia often secrete a milky fluid from the urethra. The numbers are not always a lot, usually upon waking in the morning. Another symptom is painful urination. Approximately one quarter of infected men have no symptoms of chlamydia infection. In the meantime, she can pass the infection to their partners unknowingly.
Possible Complications in Men
Chlamydial infection in men can also go up, although less common than in women. Bacteria can reach the vas deferens and epididymis to the prostate. This can lead to epididymitis which causes severe pain in the scrotum, sometimes radiating to the groin. You feel the swelling in the scrotum. Sometimes, the testicles (testes) also swollen and painful. This inflammation may be accompanied by fever and can affect fertility.
Chlamydia in men can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as reactive arthritis or Reiter's syndrome. This complication is rare in women.
