Chlamydia: what are the symptoms and how to treat it

By Cristiano Antonino On Sep 2, 2022

One of the most common sexually transmitted diseases is chlamydia, an infection of the urogenital apparatus on which it is important to keep an eye on, which affects the female gender to a greater extent and, in particular, young women between the ages of 20 and 24 who are sexually active

Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia Trachomatis and is mainly transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse

For this reason, adequate information on the disease and the importance of always protecting oneself is the first step in preventing and combating this disease.

Furthermore, chlamydia can also be transmitted between mother and newborn child at the time of birth, with a risk of developing pneumonia and conjunctivitis for the child.

Chlamydia symptoms

Most patients develop chlamydia asymptomatically.

When, however, the disease is symptomatic, the main manifestations occur between one and three weeks after infection.

For female patients, symptoms may include irritation, burning on urination and mucus-purulent vaginal discharge, but also spontaneous suprapubic and abdominal pain or pain during intercourse.

In addition, intermenstrual bleeding may occur.

Symptoms in men are very similar and include intense burning on urination and continuous whitish discharge from the penis.

Chlamydia: What tests for diagnosis?

If a chlamydia infection is suspected, the specialist will request a test to confirm the diagnosis.

The test can also be carried out in the absence of symptoms in the case of sexual intercourse with new partners during which a barrier method of contraception has not been used or after the contraceptive method has broken down.

In addition, the test is indicated if one is aware of an infection contracted by one’s partner (current or former), or if one is embarking on a pregnancy research programme.

The test to diagnose it is simple and painless and can be carried out in two ways: through the collection of urine or, better still, through the collection of secretions from the pharyngeal, cervico-vaginal, urethral or rectal area, carried out with a special swab.

While waiting for the result, which can take 1-2 weeks, the specialist may decide to start treatment earlier in the presence of certain symptoms.

It is also advisable not to have risky sexual intercourse from the time the swab is taken until at least seven days after the end of treatment to avoid transmission of the infection.

In the event of a positive test result, it is recommended that partners in the last two to three months be advised to consult a specialist and have themselves tested for chlamydia.

How is chlamydia treated?

The treatment of chlamydia is fairly simple and involves a course of antibiotics, usually doxycycline or azithromycin, or, in the case of allergies or pregnancy, amoxicillin or erythromycin.

Depending on the severity of the disorder, it may be necessary to take a single daily dose or to continue treatment for about a week/ten days in the case of chronic or complicated infections.

Complications of chlamydia

Being an often asymptomatic disease, chlamydia infection may not be diagnosed and treated in time, which can lead to the development of severe complications.

The risk for women is to develop pelvic inflammatory disease with adherence syndromes accompanied by tubal damage, a condition that can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy implantation.

In men, on the other hand, inflammation of the seminal tract, particularly epididymitis, can occur, the consequence of which, again, can be infertility.

Another complication of chlamydia is reactive arthritis, an inflammation of the joints and their tendon connections.

How can chlamydia be prevented?

As we have said, it is mainly transmitted through unprotected intercourse: those who do not have a steady partner should therefore be tested for chlamydia periodically, e.g. annually.

In terms of prevention, the use of barrier contraceptive methods, such as condoms, considerably reduce the risk of infection in all types of sexual intercourse.

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