Chlamydia is a disease brought by bacterial infection that is transferred from one person to the next by means of sexual interaction. It can also be inherited, like from a mother to the child. Chlamydia bacteria can infect not only the genitals but also the anus, urethra, throat and even the eyes.

The Chlamydia bacterium is actually composed of different strains. Chlamydia pneumonia is also known as the walking pneumonia. Chlamydia psittaci, meanwhile, is a type of pneumonia as well but this one comes from birds. The STD is caused by the bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection this causes is very similar to gonorrhea.

This type of bacterial is one of the most common bacteria in the United States today. Survey reveals that more than 4 million people are affected each year by Chlamydia trachomatis.

Symptoms of Chlamydia

Symptoms of Chlamydia are hard to detect, in fact it is known as the silent epidemic. Studies show that 75% of women and about 50% of men do not show any symptom that they already have Chlamydia. During the early stage, symptoms of this disease include painful sexual intercourse for women, unusual discharge of the vagina or penis, fever, pelvic pain and difficulty in urination. As you can see, these symptoms are common among other diseases so you better get yourself tested to really identify the type of disease you have. The stated symptoms usually appear after a week or two of the actual transfer of infection. If not treated immediately, Chlamydia has a high chance of developing into other serious complications such as infertility and cancer.

Chlamydia infection is seen in babies within 10 days after being born. The infection is evident in the infant’s eyes for it will be irritated and red most of the time.

Treatment for Chlamydia

Unlike Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, there is no injection to prevent you from getting Chlamydia. The best cure for it is still prevention. Abstinence is the best method of protection not only for Chlamydia but for every sexually transmitted disease there is. You can also limit your partner and know something about his or her background so you can at least judge if he or she is STD-free. Condom is used by a lot of sexually active people but note that this will not 100% guarantee your protection. If the condom breaks or if it is not properly used, you can still get Chlamydia.

There are STDs that is not curable, only treatable. The good news is that Chlamydia is one of those that can be cured by just an intake of antibiotics. Treatment for Chlamydia is through once a day intake of azithromycin or zithromax or two times a day intake of Doxycycline. Most of the time, gonorrhea and Chlamydia go together, their treatment is basically just the same as well.

If you are unsure of the sexual background of your partner, ask him or her to be tested in the nearest clinic near you. Those who already had Chlamydia are advised to abstain from any sexual intercourse for re-infection is possible.

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