Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection or STI in the United Kingdom. However, the majority of men and women who are infected do not show symptoms. This “silent disease” is curable at early stages but can cause infertility, sterility, blindness and other serious conditions if left untreated.
Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. The bacteria are primarily spread through sexual intercourse. However, chlamydia can also be transferred to a baby’s eyes during vaginal birth if the mother is infected. The disease is also spread through coughs and sneezes, unwashed hands, shared towels and other linens, and eye-seeking flies. If detected in time, chlamydia infections can be treated with oral antibiotics. Treatment is painless; it simply involves taking a short course of antibiotics.
Treatment for chlamydia is essential. The disease will not “go away” on its own, and it includes both immediate and long-term consequences. Examples of immediate consequences include discomfort and pain. Examples of long-term complications of the disease include blindness and increased susceptibility to contracting other STIs. Chlamydia is also a primary cause of infertility in women and sterility in men.
In women, chlamydia can spread from the cervix to the upper genital tract and cause pelvic inflammatory disease or PID. PID can damage the fallopian tubes and lead to an ectopic pregnancy. It can also cause abscesses, bring chronic pelvic pain and damage tissues in the uterus and ovaries.
In men, unchecked chlamydia can cause epididymitis. This is the swelling of the tubes that carry sperm from each testicle to the vas deferens. The condition is painful and is associated with very low sperm counts.
Chlamydia Symptoms
Many symptoms of chlamydia can’t help but go unnoticed: epididymitis, pain during urination or sex, and bloody discharges are alarming. However, the majority of men and women with chlamydia do not have symptoms. Doctors estimate that in the UK, about 70% of infected women and 25% of infected men are unaware of their conditions. In women, the disease can especially go unnoticed if the infection is limited to the neck of the womb. The disease tends to be more obvious in men because the urethra can get infected. Men and women can also have symptoms in the throat or rectum if they have oral or anal intercourse with an infected partner.
In women, symptoms of chlamydia may include:
- A burning sensation during urination
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Rectal discharge
- Rectal pain
- Symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (e.g., pain in the lower back or pelvis, fever, nausea)
- Liver inflammation
- Throat pain
In men, symptoms of chlamydia may include:
- A burning sensation during urination
- Rectal discharge
- Discharge from the penis
- Testicular pain or tenderness
- Throat pain
Chlamydia Test
Testing for chlamydia is quick and painless; it involves a single visit to our clinic. Testing is most easily done on voided urine. Clinicians can also test swab samples from the cervix or urethra. A rectal swab or eyelid swab might also be used if appropriate.
Samples are evaluated with DNA probe tests, cell cultures and several other methods. Depending on the test used, results may be available within an hour or a week. Here’s an overview of each test type:
- Nucleic acid amplification tests are the most sensitive. They detect the DNA of chlamydia bacteria. This test can be done on a urine sample.
- Nucleic acid hybridization tests or DNA probe tests also seek out chlamydia DNA. These tests are also highly sensitive but are more likely than NAATs to yield false positives.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays identify chlamydia antigens. These antigens are produced by your immune system in an attempt to fight the infection.
- Direct fluorescent antibody tests (DFA) also look for chlamydia antigens.
- Chlamydia cultures are the most expensive tests available. They involve growing culture in a Petri dish. This test requires the longest wait time, approximately five to seven days.
Each test type is best for certain patient profiles. Our doctors can help you determine which chlamydia test is best for your needs.
Chlamydia Treatment
Antibiotics treat chlamydia. One dose of Azithromycin or a week’s worth of twice-daily Doxycycline doses are the most common treatments. Erythromycin and Ofloxacin are also effective medications.
| Medication | ||
| How to take it |
Take one capsule twice daily for 7 days
|
Take 4 capsules all together as a single dose
|
| How quickly will it work? | You should be clear of Chlamydia at the end of the 7 day treatment. | You should be clear of Chlamydia at the end of 1 week. |
| How effective is it? | Very effective. It may fail in a small number of cases. | Very effective. It may fail in a small number of cases |
| Should I test after treatment? | The treatment rarely fails if taken properly. Modern test are very sensitive and can pick up evidence of the infection long after it has cleared. If you do retest then you should wait 2 weeks after finishing treatment. Current best medical advice is that you do not need to retest. | The treatment rarely fails if taken properly. Modern test are very sensitive and can pick up evidence of the infection long after it has cleared. If you do retest then you should wait 2 weeks after finishing treatment. Current best medical advice is that you do not need to retest. |
| Are there any side effects? | Nausea, diarrhoea, wind and heartburn may rarely occur. Rashes do occur, especially in strong sunlight. It may interfere with a contraceptive pill and make the pill less effective. | Nausea, diarrhoea, allergic rash. It may interfere with a contraceptive pill and make the pill less effective. |
An infected person should abstain from intercourse for one week after taking a single-dose treatment or for one week after completing a seven-day treatment regime. To prevent reinfection, it’s important that all sex partners be tested and treated too.
About three months after you’ve been treated, you can choose to get tested again. This will ensure that your original infection was cured and that any relevant partners are also chlamydia-free.
Chlamydia Consultation
If you suspect that you have an infection, it’s crucial to seek treatment immediately. Additionally, doctors recommend that all sexually active men and women have annual chlamydia screenings. In the UK, testing is also routinely done for pregnant women in order to prevent transmission of chlamydia during birth. Chlamydia infections spread during childbirth are a leading cause of blindness in developing nations.
If you think you may be infected with chlamydia you can request a consultation with our doctors who may be able to prescribe a course of treatment.
