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Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or venereal diseases, are infections that are passed from one person to another through vaginal, anal, or oral routes . Believe it or not, they are extremely common, and many people even suffer from them without presenting symptoms, despite the fact that they are the cause of significant health problems if they are not paid attention to. However, it is now easy to get tested, and most STDs caught early can be treated.
The WHO estimates that in 2020 there were 374 million new infections of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or trichomoniasis. Today we are going to talk about chlamydia , since it is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted bacterial infection, with 129 million new cases in 2020 according to the WHO.
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria of the species Chlamydia trachomatis . These bacteria affect the urethra, cervix, rectum, and can also infect the conjunctiva (the membrane that covers the whites of the eyes) and the throat.
It can affect men and women equally , and in most cases they do not experience any symptoms. If present, they usually appear between 1 and 3 weeks after having unprotected sex with someone who is sick. It should be noted that it is possible that you still have the bacteria and you can transmit it even if the symptoms disappear in a few days.
It generally produces mild symptoms , such as urethritis (infection of the urethra) in men or cervicitis (infection of the cervix) in women, which present with a slight burning sensation when urinating, a yellowish or purulent discharge from the urethra and vagina, as well as pain. when having sexual intercourse and an urgent need to urinate in the case of women. In the case of rectal infections, it will produce rectal hypersensitivity, with some discomfort, in addition to a yellowish or purulent discharge, while if the infection is in the throat, it hardly causes symptoms.
Without treatment, symptoms subside by about 4 weeks in most people, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be treated. Chlamydia infections can have serious long-term consequences , even when there are no symptoms or they are very mild, which is why detection and treatment are very important, so that later complications do not arise.
When complications do appear , the negative balance leans more towards the female side. While in men it can cause epididymitis (infection of the epididymis; structure adjacent to the testicle that stores sperm), or narrowing of the urethra when healing, in the case of women the complications are greater. The existing infection has the potential to permanently damage a woman’s reproductive system, making it difficult or even impossible to become pregnant later on. Moreover, as having suffered an infection of the fallopian tubes can cause scarring in them, and therefore narrowing or blockage of the ducts, it is common for ectopic pregnancies to occur (impossible to reach term due to incorrect implantation of the ovum). But, if that were not enough, the infection can spread to the peritoneum, causing intense pain in the lower abdomen and significantly increasing the risk of sepsis and death , due to its proximity to numerous vital organs and blood vessels.
Who is at risk for chlamydia?
Sexually active men and women can get chlamydia by having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with a person infected with chlamydia.
Sexually active youth are more likely to get chlamydia . This is due to common habits and biological variables among youth and adolescents. Since chlamydia can be transmitted through oral and anal sex, gay and bisexual men are also at risk.
It should be noted that during childbirth, a pregnant woman with chlamydia can transmit the disease to her child , which can lead to pneumonia or neonatal conjunctivitis.
How to diagnose chlamydia?
In most cases, a sample of discharge , or a scraping, from the affected area is sufficient, although sometimes a urine sample is sufficient. To reach a diagnosis, it is necessary to detect the genetic material of the bacterium in the analyzed samples.
Prevention
The most important prevention measure for any STI is the regular and correct use of condoms , as well as avoiding risky sexual practices.
It is also important, in addition to protecting yourself against infection, to protect others if you think you are infected. So at the slightest suspicion, it is advisable to avoid sexual intercourse and carry out a rapid diagnosis and treatment, to avoid complications of your own and infecting other people.
In addition, several scientific societies recommend annual screening for genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in sexually active women under 25 years of age and older with risk factors. The problem is that there are no screening programs implemented in Spain .
treatment solutions
Antibiotics can make chlamydia go away in a week or two. However, the fact that your symptoms have improved does not mean that you should stop taking the prescribed treatment, it is very important to carry out the complete regimen that your doctor has prescribed . In addition to pharmacological treatment, it is also recommended to examine and treat the sexual partners of the affected person simultaneously, as well as sexual abstinence until complete recovery.
It’s also important to keep in mind that antibiotics will clear the infection, but they won’t undo any damage the bacteria may have done to your body before treatment. That is why it is essential to go to the doctor at the first sign of abnormality and receive treatment immediately if you are affected.
A growing problem in our society is that although most STIs caused by bacteria can be effectively treated with antibiotics, some new strains of bacteria (and viruses) have become resistant to certain antibiotics, making them difficult to treat.
References:
Chlamydia – CDC DetailedFact Sheet (s.f.). CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-detailed.htm
Morris, S.R. (2021). Chlamydia and other nongonococcal infections. MSD Manuals. https://www.msdmanuals.com/en/home/infections/enfermedades-de-transmisi%C3%B3n-sexual-ets/chlamydias-and-other-infections-non-gonoc%C3%B3cicas
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (2021). WHO: World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)
