What is chlamydia
Chlamydia can infect both men and women, and is a common STD. It can cause permanent damage in the reproductive system for women, potentially leading to issues with fertility.
How is chlamydia spread
Chlamydia is spread through vaginal, anal, and oral sex with someone who has chlamydia.
If your sex partner is male, you can still get chlamydia even if he does not ejaculate.
Chlamydia can be passed on by sharing sex toys.
It is possible to get infected with chlamydia again even if you were treated in the past. This can occur through unprotected sex with someone who has chlamydia.
Chlamydia can be passed onto a baby during childbirth, if the mother is pregnant and has the disease.
How can I reduce my risk of getting chlamydia?
Abstinence from vaginal, anal or oral sex is the only way to avoid STDs, but if you are sexually active, the following are things to lower the chances of contracted chlamydia:
- Be in a long-term monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and has negative STD test results;
- Use latex condoms correctly each time you have sex
How common is chlamydia?
Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence in Thailand is rising every year, and it is most common in teenagers between 15-24 years of age. Several factors are affecting these raising numbers, such as the impetuous behavior of teenagers, the lack of knowledge of condom use, and the introduction of PEP and PrEP.
Most people in Thailand are aware of HIV and its effect on the body. After the campaign of promoting condom use and spreading awareness of the horror of HIV by the Ministry of Public Health, people are known to practicing safe sex, and the numbers of STDs infections have dropped considerably. However, after the introduction of PEP and PrEP into Thailand, some people have dropped their guard since they know that HIV can be prevented. Because of this, more people are open to unprotected sexes, which raises the number of other STD infections, except for HIV.
- Chlamydia in menChlamydia is found more in men than women; this is because over 90% of men will get chlamydia symptoms, which urge them to get necessary treatment more than women
- Chlamydia in women Women are less likely to get tested for chlamydia because over 30-40% of women won’t get symptoms for chlamydia. Chlamydia symptoms can also be easily mistaken for leukorrhea, causing many women to ignore the symptoms while disregarding them as some normal behaviors of the body. This is why women are more likely to spread chlamydia to men during sexual intercourse.
What are the symptoms of chlamydia ?
Chlamydia symptoms can show up after 2-3 weeks of the point of exposure. The symptoms are as follow,
- Having discharge from the urinary tract (male)
- Abnormal vaginal discharge (female)
- Burning sensation while urinating (both)
- Bleeding, discharge, rectal pain (both; if the infection area is inside the rectum)
Chlamydia test
A urine test can be used to detect chlamydia infection. Other tests are vaginal, oral, or anal swabs for different areas of infection.
Chlamydia Trachomatis treatment
The treatment for chlamydia is by taking antibiotics. More instruction will be explained by the doctor who prescribes the medication
How do I know if I have chlamydia
Symptoms do not usually appear for those who have chlamydia, and may not transpire for several weeks after you have sex with an infected partner. Your reproductive systems can be damaged even when chlamydia causes no symptoms.
Women with symptoms may notice:
- Vaginal discharge that is abnormal
- Burning sensations when urinating