What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia infection is quite common and caused by a bacterium. This infection is often asymptomatic and, for this reason, continues to be transmitted without carriers knowing.
What are the symptoms of chlamydia?
In women, the main symptoms include:
- Burning and pain when urinating
- Cervical inflammation
- Abdominal pain and abnormal discharge.
If left untreated, the disease may progress to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
In men, when symptoms appear, they may include:
- Pain or burning sensation when urinating
- Testicular pain
- Urethral discharge.
Like gonorrhea, if left untreated, chlamydia can cause septicemia (generalized bloodstream infection) and arthritis. This bacterium can also cause lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), a skin lesion that is often asymptomatic and may be accompanied by swollen lymph nodes in the groin area.
This infection has a short incubation period (around 3 days) and may go unnoticed until symptoms worsen. If you have any genital ulcers, rectal inflammation, or fistulas with swollen lymph nodes, seek medical help to assess whether a chlamydia test is needed.
How can you become infected with chlamydia?
Chlamydia is mainly transmitted through sexual contact (vaginal, anal, and oral) when there is contact with genital fluids or genital-to-genital contact even without penetration. It is important to remember that chlamydia can be transmitted through the sharing of sexual objects.
As with gonorrhea, certain mucous membranes (such as the eyes) can also become infected.
Transmission from mother to child during childbirth can occur.
How can you prevent chlamydia?
Using protection (condoms or latex barriers) during all sexual practices is the most effective way to protect yourself from this infection.
Because this infection is often asymptomatic, sexually active people should get tested regularly.
How to treat chlamydia?
Chlamydia is treated with an antibiotic or a combination of antibiotics. As with any infection, the ideal scenario is early diagnosis so symptoms do not worsen and complications do not arise.
In more severe situations, such as LGV, treatment is longer.
