Health Disease and Care

Chalmydia is a highly popular STD in the U.S. nowadays. “Silent killer” is what you can call it. No! This doesn’t mean that it is a fatal disease. But yes, it kills your ability to bear children. What’s worse? Your organs are invaded secretly as there are no telltale signs that are demarcated by this disease.

Caused by the bacteria, namely, Chlamydia trachomatis, this disease is a treatable STD. Almost 2.8 million Americans are infected with Chlamydia every year. Women are usually reinfected, in case their partners remain untreated. Due to reinfection, women have a higher potential risk for grave complications related to their reproductive health that even includes infertility.

Transmission of this disease can occur during oral, vaginal or anal sex. All sexually active men and women can acquire this disease from an infected person, as they come in any kind of sexual contact with them. As no apparent symptoms are observed, this is normally an unknowing transmission from the infected partners. Chlamydia may also be passed from the mother to her unborn baby. Such babies may have infection in the eyes (conjunctivitis) or pneumonia.

The more the sexual partners, the higher the risk of becoming a Chlamydia victim. People often confuse Chlamydia with Gonorrhea, which is another STD. This is due to similar symptoms and similar further complications, if the disease is left untreated. However, it is important to note that treatments of both these STDs are not similar.

Though no symptoms are noticed in people who suffer from Chlamydia but in some rare cases, infected women may have symptoms like burning sensation at the time of urination or unusual vaginal discharge. Similarly, very few of the infected men may also have the burning sensation during urinating or may have discharge from penis.

If left untreated, this disease may also cause urethral infection in infected men. Infection may also spread to epididymis that causes fever, pain and even infertility. In women, chlamydia bacteria can normally infect cervix cells. In the case of non-treatment, this infection may extend to fallopian tubes, leading to PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease). Around 40% of the infected women who do not seek treatment face the same consequences.

PID causes irreparable damage to tissues that surround ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes. Infertility, potentially serious ectopic pregnancy, infertility and persistent pelvic pain are consequences of such damage. In some cases of infected pregnant women, Chlamydia infection may cause premature delivery. Women infected with chlymadia are also in the high risk category of individuals for acquiring HIV, in comparison to other healthy women.

People with receptive anal intercourse may have proctitis due to chlamydia. Bacterium may also be spotted in the mouth or throats of men and women who have oral sex. Antibiotics like tetracycline are best to treat Chlamydia infections.

Hence, it is best to seek the advice of a physician as soon as possible, in case you notice any of the above mentioned symptoms.

Tags: cancer, deadly disease, STDs

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