Chlamydia - symptoms, causes and treatment

Chlamydia – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment | Recetas Medicas

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, both in Sweden and globally. The infection is easily transmitted through unprotected sex. Here we go through common symptoms of chlamydia, how the treatment works and what you can do to avoid getting infected. You can also read about what it means with infection tracking and that the disease is covered by the Infection Protection Act.

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is an infection that is primarily spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Both men and women can get chlamydia. The infection, if left untreated, can lead to serious complications and sequelae. Therefore, it is important to get tested if you suspect you have been infected.

How is chlamydia transmitted?

Chlamydia is mainly transmitted through unprotected sex; vaginally, anally or orally. The bacterium that causes chlamydia is passed from one person to another when mucous membranes in the genitals, anal area or mouth come into contact with each other. You can also get infected if you use the same sex toys as someone else.

A common problem is that many people who are infected do not show any symptoms at all, which makes it difficult to know if you have been infected without a test. It is therefore important to regularly test yourself if you have changed partners or had unprotected sex.

Symptoms of chlamydia

The symptoms of chlamydia can vary depending on which part of the body is infected. If you get symptoms, they usually appear after one to three weeks from the time of infection. However, more than half of those infected with chlamydia have no symptoms at all. Here are symptoms you may have if you have chlamydia:

Symptoms of chlamydia in women

• unusual vaginal discharge
• pain when urinating
• breakthrough bleeding or bleeding after intercourse
• pain in the lower part of the stomach

Symptoms of chlamydia in men

• discharge from the penis
• pain and swelling of the testicles

You who have had anal sex can also get discharge from the rectum if you are infected with chlamydia.

How do you know you have chlamydia?

Since most people do not experience any symptoms of chlamydia, the only sure way to know if you have been infected is to get tested. It is especially important that you get tested if you:

• Have had unprotected sex with a new partner or with several partners.
• Have a partner who has been diagnosed with an STD.
• Experiencing symptoms that may indicate chlamydia or another sexually transmitted disease.
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Chlamydia testing usually involves taking a urine or vaginal sample. You can order a home test or test yourself by visiting a reception. Home tests only show if you have chlamydia in the vagina or urethra. At the reception, it is also possible to test yourself for chlamydia after oral or anal sex.

It is important to detect chlamydia early to prevent complications and sequelae. In women, untreated chlamydia can lead to damaged and inflamed fallopian tubes, which in turn can make it difficult to get pregnant or cause ectopic pregnancy. Men can get infection in the epididymis from chlamydia, which also increases the risk of infertility.

Infection tracking in the event of a positive chlamydia test

In Sweden, chlamydia is a notifiable disease according to the Infection Protection Act, which means that the healthcare system has a responsibility to both report discovered cases to the Public Health Agency and carry out so-called infection tracking. The purpose of infection tracking is to prevent the infection from spreading further.

If you are diagnosed with chlamydia, you must tell the healthcare staff who you have had sex with and when. The person or persons you name are then contacted by healthcare and informed that they must be tested, which takes place anonymously. The people you provide will therefore not know that it is you who provided the information. If you want, you can tell the people you've had sex with yourself before the care is called.

Treatment of chlamydia

In case of confirmed chlamydia infection, you are treated with antibiotics, usually for seven days. During the treatment period, you should avoid sexual activity completely to avoid the risk of the infection spreading further. In Sweden, chlamydia treatment is always free.

Preventive measures to avoid getting infected

To reduce the risk of contracting chlamydia, there are several preventive measures you can take:

• Use a condom for all types of penetrating sex and a condom or lollipop for oral sex.
• Get tested for chlamydia regularly, especially if you have multiple sex partners or change partners frequently.
• Avoid sharing sex toys with others, or use a condom and clean the sex toys between uses.

Frequently asked questions

Can you get chlamydia in the eye?

Yes, it is possible to get chlamydia in the eye. The infection can be transferred to the eye by, for example, touching your face when you have infected secretions on your fingers. You cannot get infected by touching someone's hand or via towels because the bacteria does not survive outside the body.

How long can you have chlamydia?

You can have chlamydia for a long time without being aware of it, as the infection often causes no symptoms. It is possible to carry the bacteria for months or even years if left untreated. This increases the risk both of complications and of unknowingly spreading the infection to others.

What does chlamydia look like?

Chlamydia itself does not look anything special, as it is a bacterial infection that does not show visible signs on the skin or the external genitalia, unlike some other sexually transmitted diseases such as genital herpes or condyloma. The symptoms of chlamydia, such as discharge or pain when urinating, are also not unique to chlamydia and may resemble signs of other infections.

Is chlamydia dangerous?

If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious sequelae, which in turn can cause infertility and chronic pain, among other things.

How common is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is one of the most common STDs, especially among young adults and teenagers. In Sweden, approximately 32,000 to 35,000 cases of chlamydia infection are reported each year. Around 55 percent of the reported cases are women and 45 percent are men.

Can you get chlamydia in the throat or mouth?

Chlamydia can infect the throat if you have oral sex with a person who is infected. Use a condom or tampon during oral sex to reduce the risk of infection.

Can chlamydia go away on its own?

No, chlamydia does not go away on its own. You need treatment with antibiotics to get rid of the chlamydia infection. If you suspect you have chlamydia, it is important to seek care to receive a diagnosis and begin treatment and infection tracking.