Chlamydia Trachomatis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia.
Unlike the other STDs, it may remain silent throughout the pathogenic period and may eventually result in harmful side effects.
If untreated, Chlamydia can result in infertility in about 14-17 percent of the infected subjects worldwide.
Risks of Men and Women of having chlamydial infections
It equally affects men and women of adult age.
It is significantly less often than it can infect old age people.
Women complain of vaginal pain, discharge, and menstrual bleeding.
Still, most of the time, it remains latent and directly causes Pelvic inflammatory disease.
The Infective behavior of Chlamydia is more towards women as compared to men.
It affects the men rarely. The infection in men spreads from the penis. It involves the testis resulting in symptoms like fever, pain in the testis, and vomiting when discussing stats if affecting 0.1% men and 1.1% females globally(Dielissen, Teunissen, and Lagro-Janssen 2013).
Present Issues and Infectivity rate
One of the main issues bothering adult males and females today is the increased infectivity rate of chlamydial infections.
These are due to unprotected sexual practices, lack of diagnostic facilities, and awareness among the fresh blood.
Males and Females are more prone to getting themselves contaminated with the infection if they have sex with the same gender.
Studies revealed that the infectivity with oral sex is 0.5 percent, while that in anal sex is 3 percent.(“Detailed STD Facts – Chlamydia” 2021)
How can we get Chlamydia
In recent times, it was thought that unprotected sexual practice is the only source of transmission of Chlamydia, but unfortunately, this is not correct.
It can also pass from the mother to the fetus and lead to blindness in the newborn.
The bacteria can also spread from the fluid that comes from the eyes(“Chlamydia” 2017).
Symptoms of Chlamydia
Most of the time, people remain symptom-free, but this is not the case every time.
It is essential to get yourself tested for Chlamydia when you have the following symptoms. These includes
– Difficulty in voiding
– You may have painful sexual intercourse
– You may have blood discharge from the penis.
– You may experience pain in the testis and scrotum
– Women can have discharge from the vagina.
Apart from all these symptoms, if the bacteria gets transmitted from mother to newborn, it can lead to blindness and eye diseases.
How to Diagnose Chlamydia Infection
Diagnosis properly is vital to cure the infection of Chlamydia. Various tests should be performed to diagnose Chlamydia on medical grounds.
These include Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT), Blood Culture, Complete Blood Count, Liver function tests, and Renal profile.
= Complete Blood Counts reveal the infection cause and rule out the secondary infection
= Blood Culture shows the causative organism present in the blood causing the pathology.
= Liver and Renal function tests should be done to check the body’s metabolism.
= NAAT is the most sensitive and Gold standard test performed in the medical setting to diagnose the chlamydial infection. We usually take a swab from your private part and analyze it by the NAAT method.
Complications
– If the infection remains latent, it can spread and lead to a severe pathology called a pelvic inflammatory syndrome. Most patients complain of fever, vomiting, and pelvic pain. It can resolve in days and may require powerful antibiotics and hospitalization.
– In males, the infection can spread to a tube adjacent to the testis called epididymis and can lead to infertility. It is treated with antibiotics and steroids.
– Prostate inflammation is a widespread complication encountered in patients with Chlamydial infection. It is presented as high-grade fever, chills, vomiting, and myalgias.If remain untreated, it can lead to infection of the testis, scrotum, and even abdomen
– Pregnant women, if not screened timely, can transmit the infection to their newborns. This is the reason that it is essential to screen the mothers timely. In newborns, it can lead to permanent blindness and eye infections.
– It can also lead to ectopic pregnancy. It is defined as a conception at any other part than the uterus. It can eventually bleed and lead to miscarriage.
– Above All, the most lethal and permanent problem these days our new generation faces is infertility secondary to chlamydia infection.
Treatment options
Treatment options are available in both allopathic and alternative medicine.
It is better to diagnose it early and to prevent oneself from severe and harmful complications.
Allopathic Treatment options include the commencement of antibiotics like Azithromycin and Doxycycline for about 14 Days.
Suppose the patient has developed secondary infections like Pelvic inflammatory disease and Abscess. In that case, it’s better to refer the patient to a specialized Gynecologist.
In Alternative medicine, various natural products have shown miraculous efficacy.
These products include Praneem Polyherbal Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Formulation, BASANT Polyherbal Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Formulation, flavonoids, and phenols. These products and formulations are proved efficacious in the treatment of chlamydia infections(Michael G. Potroz 2015)
Conclusion
To prevent oneself from the deliterous side effects of sexually transmitted diseases like Chlamydia, it is crucial to have good hygiene, get your partner screened regularly, and have safe and protective sex.
Apart from this, one should be fully aware of the pathology’s signs and symptoms to be dealt with at first sight. Chlamydial Infections are a preventable and treatable disease that should be eradicated from the world by our efforts if we want.
References
“Chlamydia.” 2017. May 2, 2017. https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/chlamydia-101/.
“Detailed STD Facts – Chlamydia.” 2021. January 20, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-detailed.htm#:~:text=The%20higher%20prevalence%20of%20chlamydia,%2C%20cost%2C%20and%20perceived%20stigma.&text=Men%20who%20have%20sex%20with%20men%20(MSM)%20are%20also%20at,by%20oral%20or%20anal%20sex.
All information provided on IMAS is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor!!!
