Chlamydia is an infection which is caused by a parasitic bacterium. It is one of the most widely and rapidly spreading diseases in the world, and almost 75% of the female cases and 50% of the male cases are reported without having any particular symptoms.
What Are The Symptoms Of Chlamydia?
Although not frequently reported, the following are some of the symptoms that will help you in determining the presence of Chlamydia in your body. These are noticeable within a week of infestation with the bacteria. Also, the symptoms are different for men and women.
Symptoms in Women
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Odor in vaginal discharge
- Abnormal bleeding
- Painful periods
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Itching around or inside the vagina
- Pain during urination
- Pain in abdomen with fever
Symptoms in Men
- Small discharge of clear or cloudy fluid from the penis
- Burning sensation on the skin of the scrotum
- Itching on the skin of the penis
- Pain in the testicles
- Swelling in the loins
What Are The Diagnostic Tools Used For Indicating The Presence Of Chlamydia?
Your doctor will use a few tests that will help determine whether you have this infection or not. Your doctor will take a clean swab and take a sample from your genital area. For females, this will consist of the cervical secretion present on the inner and the outer lips of the labia. For the men, a sample of the fluid from the tip of the penis or the urethra will be obtained. This sample is then sent to the lab to be analyzed for the presence of Chlamydia.
Other tests require urine samples, which indicate the presence or the absence of the parasitic bacteria.
What Are The Treatments Available?
The most common treatment option is the prescription of antibiotics. Your doctor will give you Azithromycin (Zithromax) or Doxycycline. It is important to note that your partner will also require treatment for this parasite, since sexual contact is one of the leading factors in the spread of this disease. This move will also ensure that you do not get re-infected with the disease.
Once you have started taking your antibiotics, you will notice that the infection has subsided within the next three to four days. However, it is important that you continue taking your antibiotics for the complete week.
For some women who have a severe infection of Chlamydia, hospitalization is advised. This is important to tackle a list of medical complaints that arise as a result of this infection. Intravenous antibiotics are given to these women along with high potency pain medications.
Once the antibiotic treatment has been completed, you will be re-tested for the infection to make sure all the traces of the parasite have been eliminated. It is advised that you do not engage in any sexual intercourse until you are sure that you and your partner are completely free of the disease.
Chlamydia Home Testing
Since, this disease is symptomless, it is very difficult to detect. However, if you are sexually active and would like to keep track of your sexual health, Chlamydia home testing kits are available to help you detect the presence of these bacteria in your body.
For men, this kit is a simple urine test. You just have to send in your sample to the lab with a prepaid envelope to a partner lab of the service you are using.
For women, the home test kit is comprised of a swab test. This looks like a long cotton bud. You will also get an illustration showing how to carry out the test. You have to wipe your cervix with the swab and then insert it into a sterile tube provided in the test. Send this with a prepaid envelope to your concerned lab.
This test is 99.99% accurate. You will obtain the results within 2-3 days of sample submission.
Home testing is available from many reputable websites, including www.theGUMclinic.com