chlamydiasymptoms

Before I go to the main topic about Chlamydia Symptoms let me give a bit overview about Chlamydia. The term Chlamydia refers to an infection by any one of the species in the bacterial genus, Chlamydia - Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia suis, Chlamydia muridarum —but of these, only Chlamydia trachomatis is found in humans.

Chlamydia is an asymptomatic disease for 50-70% of the female population. This is also known as “Silent Epidemic” because in women, it may not cause any symptoms and will linger for months or years before being discovered. The Chlamydia is a Bacterial; from the chlamydia trachomatis strain which lives in vaginal fluid and semen. It can transmit mainly through vaginal and anal sex; although it is much less common, it can also be passed on via oral sex and hand to eye contact. Chlamydia causes 250,000 to 500,000 cases of PID every year in the U.S. Women infected with chlamydia are up to five times more likely to become infected with HIV, if exposed.

Early chlamydia signs and symptoms tend to be mild and include pain during urination, frequent urination, and low fever. Later symptoms can be more intense and include nausea, fatigue, and abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis. Oral chlamydia, usually passed through oral sex, can result in a sore throat and throat infection. In anal infections, swelling of the rectum can occur. Though rare, males suffering from the disease may experience swelling of the testicles. Other symptoms in women include abdominal pain, lower back pain, irregular menstrual bleeding or spotting, and pain during sex.

If you think you may be infected, or are exhibiting any symptoms of chlamydia, get tested. It is important to treat the disease as soon as possible, as prolonged exposure can cause serious damage to the reproductive organs.

Here are some of the example of the diseases and symptoms,

Symptoms

MALE

• burning sensation during urination
• discharge from the penis
• testicular tenderness or pain
• rectal discharge or pain

FEMALE

• vaginal discharge
• burning sensation during urination
• painful sexual intercourse
• symptoms of PID, salpingitis, perihepatitis (liver inflammation similar to hepatitis)
• rectal pain or discharge

and Chlamydia Trachomatis can cause the following conditions:

• Cervicitis
• Conjunctivitis
• Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome
• Lynphogranuloma venereum
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Pneumonia in infants
• Reactive arthritis
• Urethritis
• Rectal infection / proctitis
• Prostatitis

If left untreated, the infection can move further into the body. I really recommend if you found out that you had the following symptoms and diseases take an immediate action about it. Antibiotics are used to cure the infection. The most common ones include doxycycline and azithromycin. Depending on the type you are prescribed, the course of treatment can last from one to seven days. To ensure proper treatment, make sure you finish all your medication and refrain from having sex until your have finished treatment and tests have shown the infection to be gone. It is important to be treated as soon as possible. While the infection can be cleared up, any damage it may have done prior to treatment cannot be undone.

These are some of the pictures taken to described the chlamydia in its inner and outer appearance.

This McCoy cell monolayer micrograph reveals a number of intracellular C. trachomatis inclusion bodies; Magnified 200X.

Chlamydia of men and women.

I listed some of the diseases picture cause by chlamydia and why we need to be serious about it.

Mucopurulent cervicitis due to chlamydia showing ectopy, edema, and discharge.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis occurs in two forms:

• neonatal type: acquired from an infected cervix. Most common cause of red eye in a newborn.
• adult type: acquired by sexual contact. Causes a chronic indolent conjunctivitis resistant to standard topical antibiotics.

Perihepatic adhesions (arrow) seen at laporoscopyh usually associated with pelvic gonorrhoeal or chlamydial infection (Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome).

Lymphogranuloma venereum. Primary lesion presenting as an ulcer on the penis.

Chlamydophila abortus Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Diffuse coalescences between uterus and fallopian tubes (the ovary is hidden behind the coalscences).

Reactive arthritis caused by immunologic reactions to both genital and GI pathogens is an infrequent complication of adult chlamydial infections. It sometimes produces skin and eye lesions and noninfectious recurrent urethritis.

Urethritis in a heterosexual man who presented with dysuria and yellowish discharge. A swab of the discharge showed no growth on culture, but was positive by polymerase chain reaction for Chlamydia trachomatis.

Proctitis is an inflammation of the lining of the rectum (rectal mucosa). Sexually transmitted diseases are the most common cause, but other causes include inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, and non-sexually transmitted infections.

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Chlamydia tests use a sample of body fluid or urine to see whether chlamydia bacteria (Chlamydia trachomatis) are present and causing an infection. Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the United States.

Several types of tests can be used to find a chlamydia infection. Most tests use a sample of body fluid from the affected area.

• Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT). These tests find the genetic material (DNA) of chlamydia bacteria. These tests are the most sensitive tests available. This means they are very accurate and that they are very unlikely to have false-positive test results. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is an example of a nucleic acid amplification test. This test can also be done on a urine sample.
• Nucleic acid hybridization tests (DNA probe test). A probe test also finds chlamydia DNA. A probe test is very accurate but is not as sensitive as nucleic acid amplification tests.
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, EIA). This common, quick test finds substances (chlamydia antigens) that trigger the immune system to fight chlamydia infection.
• Direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA). This common, quick test also finds chlamydia antigens.
• Chlamydia culture. A culture is a special cup that allows the chlamydia bacteria to grow. This test is more expensive and the results take longer (5 to 7 days) than the other tests. The culture must be done in a lab. The chlamydia culture test may be done when child sexual abuse is suspected or when treatment for infection has not worked.

Why It Is Done

A test for chlamydia is done to:

• See whether symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) are caused by a chlamydia infection.
• Check people who are at high risk for being infected with chlamydia. A chlamydia infection does not always cause symptoms. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends checking for chlamydia for:
  • All sexually active women age 25 or younger.
  • Women older than age 25 with high-risk sexual behaviors.
  • All pregnant women in the first trimester and again in the 3rd trimester if high-risk sexual behaviors are reported. Treating a pregnant woman who has a chlamydia infection can prevent an infection in her newborn.
  • All women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  • All women with symptoms of a cervical infection (cervicitis) found on a pelvic exam.
• Check for infection in a newborn whose mother had a chlamydia infection at the time of delivery.

How To Prepare

A chlamydia test is done on either fluid (direct sample) collected from the area of the body that is most likely to be infected or on a urine sample. If your chlamydia test is being done on a:

• Direct sample (usually from the cervix): A woman should not douche or use vaginal creams or medicines for 24 hours before having a chlamydia test.
• Urine sample: Do not urinate for 2 hours before a urine sample is collected.

How It Is Done

Direct sample

In a direct sample, a sample of body fluid is taken from the affected area. In adults, these areas may include the cervix, urethra, rectum, or eye.

• For men. To collect a sample from the urethra or rectum, your health professional will insert a swab into the opening of your urethra or rectum to collect a sample. A sample from the urethra is more likely to detect chlamydia if a man has not urinated for at least 2 hours before the sample is taken.
• For women. To collect a sample from the cervix, you will take off your clothes below the waist and drape a cloth around your waist. You will lie on your back on an examination table with your feet raised and supported by stirrups. This allows your health professional to examine your vagina and genital area. Your health professional will insert an instrument with curved sides (speculum) into your vagina. The speculum gently spreads apart the vaginal walls so the inside of the vagina and the cervix can be looked at. Samples are collected from the cervix with a swab or small brush.
• To collect a sample from your eye, your health professional will gently brush the insides of your lower and upper eyelids with a swab.

In rare cases, a throat culture may be done.

Urine sample

If a urine sample is collected for nucleic acid amplification testing (such as PCR testing), do not urinate for 2 hours before the test. Do not wipe the genital area clean before urinating. Collect the first part of your urine stream, immediately as you begin urinating.

How It Feels

Collecting a sample of fluid from the urethra, anus, or rectum may cause mild discomfort or pain.

Collecting a sample from the cervix may cause mild discomfort. Most women find that the procedure feels like a Pap test or pelvic examination. Some women feel some cramping when the speculum is inside the vagina.

Collecting a sample from the eye is painless unless the eyelids have sores on them.

Risks

There is very little chance of problems when collecting a sample of fluid from the cervix, urethra, rectum, eyes, or throat.

In rare cases, a person may suddenly get dizzy or feel faint (called vasovagal syncope) because of fear or pain when the swab is inserted into the urethra.

Results

Chlamydia tests use a sample of body fluid or urine to see whether chlamydia bacteria (Chlamydia trachomatis) are present and causing an infection.

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Urinating before (within 2 hours) of collecting a urine sample or a sample of fluid from the urethra.
• Stool with the rectal sample.
• Using antibiotics before the test.
• Douching or using vaginal creams or medicines 24 hours before the test.

C. trachomatis infection can be effectively cured with antibiotics once it is detected. Current Centers for Disease Control guidelines provide for the following treatments:

• Azithromyzin - 1 gram oral as a single dose
• Doxycycline - 100 milligrams twice daily for seven days.

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• Tetracycline
• Erythromycin

Untested Treatments

• Ciproflaxacin - 500 milligrams twice daily for 3 days. (Although this is not an approved method of treatment, as it is shown to be ineffective and may simply delay symptoms.)