Chlamydia belongs to the venereal diseases close to gonorrhea. You may wonder that Chlamydia is most prevalent among adolescents and young adults.
This is because most people mistake this disease with gonorrhea. Chlamydia is transmitted through sexual encounters or exposure to genital fluids.
The Chlamydia causing bacteria chlamydia trachomatis is commonly known as trachomatis. As you have seen, it is the young and most knowledgeable that are at risk of the disease. Thus, it is prudent for them to have all they need to know about Chlamydia.
Risks of Chlamydia Trachomatis
The vulnerable groups from this disease are people within the age group 15 to 25. It is the group that is actively involved in childbearing. Some of the symptoms of the disease include
- Inflammation of the genitals
- Pain in the pelvic region
- Yellowish green discharge from the genital
- Fever and sore throat
- Premenstrual bleeding for women
- In some cases, anal Chlamydia may occur
The longtime risks of chlamydia range from severe damage to the reproductive organs in both men and women. In pregnant women, there is a potential of infecting the child at birth. The outcome may be damage to the eyes, lungs, and skin. In the long run, the baby may suffer blindness and have a deficiency in immunity.
The most profound advantage of the chlamydia bacteria is the ability to stay in a host without detection. It can reproduce and continue infecting the person without showing any clinical signs.
This helps it to spread from one person to another with ease. Women tend to inhibit the bacteria for longer than men.
Read More: Chlamydia Symptoms
Diagnosis and Treatment
Apart from regular questions about your history and concerns, the doctor carries a physical observation. Samples from the genitals go for testing in the laboratory.
Sometimes, further tests may come from the throat, anus, and the sores. After the results, the doctor prescribes medication.
The treatment of the bacteria is through antibiotics. Usually, the dose goes for about a week. It is paramount to abstain from sex during and after the medication until the doctor certifies your recovery.
At no point should one skip or negate on taking the drug. Though it is easy to treat, the damage on the organs if untreated can be long term.
Read More: Chlamydia Treatment With Antibiotics
Read More: Chlamydia Treatment
Prevention
There is no possible way to prevent Chlamydia apart from abstinence from sex. In case you cannot manage that, practicing safe sex comes next. Make sure there is no genital to body contact unless there is protection. Regular screening for both partners will help protect each other and early detection.
Ultimately, one should weigh the options ahead. Is it the pleasure of having unsafe sex and contracting chlamydia bacteria, or being safe and reserving your reproductive organs for the future.
Read More: Chlamydia in Ghana
References
https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-018-3477-y
https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-019-4035-y