(Men and Women) Chlamydia Signs and Symptoms
In the early phases of a Chlamydia trachomatis infection, few or no symptoms are common. When symptoms do manifest, the majority are typically benign, making them difficult to detect. Chlamydia trachomatis infections can result in the following indications and symptoms: (3)
Urination discomfort
Chlamydia is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among people aged 15 to 24. Inflammation of the afflicted organs, which can be incapacitating in some cases. As an early indication of the disease, both men and women experience excruciating urination. PaiStudies by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that approximately 3 million individuals experience painful urination due to an infection in the urethra and surrounding area. Chlamydia is most prevalent in individuals who have sexual relations with males. 26% of men who have intercourse with other men have chlamydia, according to research.
Women’s menstrual discharge
Chlamydia-related vaginal discharge is frequently accompanied by a disagreeable odour, itchiness, and burning sensation. Nonetheless, there is no cause for concern as it is perfectly normal. When it occurs frequently and aberrant symptoms such as redness or inflammation of the genitalia are present, chlamydia should be ruled out.
This sexually transmitted disease is quite common and is commonly referred to as an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease). It is estimated that over two million women have been infected in the United States alone, and at least fifty percent of them have had offensive-smelling vaginal discharge.
There are numerous women who experience vaginal discharge throughout their lives, but the vast majority do not have chlamydia! Therefore, if you are experiencing vaginal discharge, you should seek medical evaluation.
Menstrual flow from the urethra
You may have been concerned about chlamydia when you noticed a change in the discharge from your genitalia. Infrequently, men experience genital discharge, but in the majority of cases it is a sign of an STD. Men with symptoms of an STD have a greater likelihood of testing positive for Herpes, Chlamydia, or Gonorrhoea when tested.
Chlamydia can cause a discharge from the penis that stinks bad and has a foul odour. Thin, yellow, and watery, the Chlamydia discharge is thin. You may experience a scorching sensation when you urinate. Not always is chlamydia the cause of this discharge. Due to the prevalence of chlamydia among men and women today, it should not be ruled out reflexively, particularly if other symptoms are present.
Women’s intimate encounters that are painful
If you experience discomfort during sexual activity, you should consult a physician. It could be owing to chlamydia, the most common STD among young women. Chlamydia is so prevalent that one in every four women will contract it at least once. This condition, if left untreated, can lead to infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease. So that it doesn’t mar the most special time of your life, take care of it right away.
Chlamydia can cause excruciating discomfort during sexual activity, despite resembling an infection around the vaginal opening. Even if there is no infection or discharge, it is possible to experience pain or haemorrhage during sexual activity. Teenagers and young adults contract chlamydia more than any other group and aren’t adequately educated on how to prevent it or what the warning signs are.
Intermenstrual bleeding
In women, bleeding between their periods and after sex is a common medical condition that may also indicate an underlying chlamydial infection. There are several signs of a sexually transmitted disease, including bleeding between periods, spotting, or bleeding after sex. Women of reproductive-age are more likely to experience menorrhagia (heavy bleeding) due to chlamydial infection – defined as periods lasting more than seven days and causing significant blood loss. The condition can be treated easily, but if left untreated, scarring and reproductive problems can result.
Male testicular discomfort
Orchitis, or pain in the testicles, is not uncommon in men. This condition occurs when the testicles become inflamed. Men who are healthy and adults are likely to experience it at some point in their lives. Infections, such as sexually transmitted diseases or epididymitis, can sometimes cause the pain.
You should seek medical consultation if you suffer from testicular pain. Your GP will need to conduct proper tests and investigations to determine what is causing this pain.
Pain in the tummy or pelvis
Do you experience pain in the tummy or pelvis region that is not related to anything obvious? That may be one of the signs that you have Chlamydia. In the UK, approximately 1 in 20 people under the age of 25 are affected by chlamydia.
There are many bacterial STIs, including Chlamydia. Many people who have this infection don’t experience any symptoms. It’s often called a ‘silent’ infection. Chlamydia often goes unnoticed by women and they pass it onto their partners. Chlamydia also causes inflammation of the fallopian tubes to produce symptoms such as lower stomach pain, or difficulty urinating (dysuria). Up to 25 percent of women with chlamydia also experience symptoms associated with these inflammations. In addition to low-grade fevers, abnormal vaginal discharges, and frequent urination, they may also experience pain.
Burning or itching
It is unpleasant to have burning or itching in the urethra. You could be suffering from something as simple as a common rash, a yeast infection, or something more serious like chlamydia. Itchy or burning in the urethra can be a symptom of chlamydia. An inflammation of the urethra, a tube that carries urine and sperm out of your body, is called urethritis.
Occasionally, Chlamydia trachomatis infects the rectum with no signs or symptoms or with rectal pain, discharge or bleeding. Chlamydial infections (conjunctivitis) can also be acquired through contact with infected body fluids.
Chlamydia of the throat
There are three ways to spread Chlamydia: vaginally, anally, and orally. It is called oral chlamydia when it occurs in the mouth or throat. (4)
Symptoms like painful urination and vaginal discharge lead many people to suspect they have chlamydia. The symptoms are often misattributed to other conditions by those who get it through oral sex. Usually, people with oral chlamydia do not experience any symptoms. There is typically no major symptom of oral chlamydia except a sore throat, which can be confused with allergies, colds, strep throat, and acid reflux. A typical case of oral chlamydia can have one or more of the following symptoms.
Secondary oral infections can sometimes result from oral chlamydia. Since the body is so busy fighting chlamydia, it cannot fight the other infections that cause gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. Complications of these diseases include dental pain, bleeding gums, and tooth loss. Perhaps the greatest concern is the possibility of passing oral chlamydia on to others. Depending on the affected organ or part of the body, chlamydia may lead to complications such as:
It can cause conjunctivitis (pink eye) if it spreads to eye
Inflammation of the spermatic cord (epididymitis) can occur if it spreads to testis
Its spread to the female reproductive organs can cause complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Implantation of an egg outside of the womb (ectopic pregnancy) is another important and fatal complication of chlamydia
Joint pain and swelling triggered (reactive arthritis) can occur in both males and females
Male or female infertility is another common complication
Having chlamydia also increases the risk of contracting HIV. The reason for this is that chlamydia triggers an inflammatory response that causes CD4 T-cells, which are white blood cells, to accumulate at the infection site. HIV targets these cells for infection. This leads to chlamydia “helping” HIV establish an infection.
Oral chlamydia can be contracted by performing oral sex with an infected individual. This category includes oral sex with the penis, oral sex with the vagina, and oral sex with the anus.
A person with chlamydia can also transmit the infection to someone without chlamydia through their throat. Chlamydia is unlikely to be transmitted from the throat to the vagina or rectum, according to research.
There is no evidence that chlamydia can be spread through kissing.
There are several risk factors that can increase a person’s risk of getting chlamydia, most notably:
Being in a relationship with more than one person
Not using condoms regularly
Sexual activity before the age of 25
Being infected with STDs
Genital chlamydia is far more common than oral chlamydia. About 10% of people in STD clinics have genital chlamydia, but only about 1.5% have oral chlamydia.
Chlamydia of the eye
As the infectious bacteria is usually passed from one person to another in unprotected sex, chlamydial infections are commonly associated with the genitals. When Chlamydia trachomatis comes in contact with the eyes, it can cause a condition called chlamydial conjunctivitis. Most commonly, it affects sexually active young adults. Women are more likely to be affected than men. Usually, the disease is transmitted through contact with infected genital secretions. An incubation period of one to two weeks is required. (5)
A person can contract Chlamydia trachomatis directly or indirectly. Initial symptoms of infection may resemble those of trachoma. However, it is associated with strains of Chlamydia trachomatis that can result in genital infections. There are a number of symptoms of a chlamydial eye infection, including:
There is a wide range of acuity and severity of symptoms among patients. Most commonly, patients present with mild symptoms for weeks to months rather than acute, mucopurulent conjunctivitis. CIn most cases, chlamydial conjunctivitis is unilateral, but it can also affect both eyes. Patients complain of pink/red eyes, crusting of the lashes, stuck lids, foreign body sensations, mucous discharge, swollen lids, tearing, decreased vision, and photophobia (fear of light). Specifically, women may reveal genitourinary symptoms when questioned closely. The sexual partners of these patients may also exhibit similar syThese patients may have previously been treated with topical antibiotics without symptomatic relief because the presenting symptoms of chlamydial conjunctivitis mimic those of viral and other bacterial (e.g. staphylococci) conjunctivitis.
Chlamydial conjunctivitis can also present with similar clinical findings to other forms of infectious conjunctivitis. Patients may have palpable lymphadenopathy, particularly in the preauricular nodes. When the anterior segment is examined, mucous discharge, conjunctival hyperemia, and chemosis are often seen. A follicular reaction is a prominent feature of chlamydial conjunctivitis, and it primarily affects the bulbar conjunctiva and semiluThere may be both fine and coarse epithelial and subepithelial infiltrates in the cornea. The superior cornea can occasionally develop micropannus. Due to prompt treatment, conjunctival scarring is rare in developed countries.
Signs, symptoms, and clinical suspicion are used to make a diagnosis. An organism must be cultured for confirmation. For about 50 years, the only method to detect chlamydia was Giemsa staining. Typical findings include basophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions. Chlamydial infections have recently been detected by culture, direct immunofluorescent staining (DFA), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Chlamydial eye infections can occur in newborns due to the bacteria entering the child’s system during delivery through the vaginal canal. 30 to 50 percent of infants whose mothers have chlamydial infections will develop neonatal conjunctivitis. It is best to be treated for chlamydia before giving birth in order to prevent passing the infection to your newborn.
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