Chlamydia Symptoms
Symptoms of Chlamydia in Women
The most common symptom in women includes:
- No Symptoms
Other symptoms of Chlamydia in women include:
- Painful urination
- Discharge, pain, or bleeding from the rectum
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Inflammation of the eye
- Pain during intercourse
- Bleeding between menstrual cycles
- Lower back pain
- Pelvic and lower stomach pain
- Fever
- Nausea
- Sore throat
If you have experienced any, or noticed the development, of the above Chlamydia symptoms, you might be starting to worry. The best thing to do is to stay calm and seek urgent medical attention. Chlamydia is one of the most easily treated STDs. However, if left untreated, Chlamydia can cause many serious complications.
Chlamydia Prevention
Safe sex is the best way to prevent Chlamydia. Preventative measures include, but are not limited to, methods such as condoms and dental dams. Chlamydia trachomatis is the bacterium that causes Chlamydia and is transmitted through sexual fluids, allowing Chlamydia to be spread through any type of sexual activity (vaginal, anal, and oral) that includes two or more individuals. Sexual fluids include semen, pre-ejaculate, and vaginal fluids. Males partners do not have to ejaculate to spread the disease, making preventative measures so crucial.
Overcoming the Embarrassment of Testing
It can be hard to overcome the embarrassment of being tested for Chlamydia, but keep in mind that Chlamydia is quite common since most carriers are asymptomatic and are unaware they’re infected. In 2014 the Center for Disease Control reported nearly 1.5 million cases of Chlamydia in just the United States. At Rapid STD Testing we do all we can to reduce the risk of embarrassment for our patients and to ensure confidentiality. We are aware of how uncomfortable it can be to discuss STDs and are even more aware of the value of being tested. Testing for Chlamydia can protect you and your partner(s) and allow you to get the treatment necessary.
Treatment for Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the easiest STDs to treat, if you begin treatment before serious complications occur. An oral antibiotic, usually azithromycin or doxycycline, is the typical treatment prescribed by doctors. These antibiotics help to reduce the effects of the symptoms in as few as 2 to 3 days. As a precautionary measure, your doctor may recommend a prescription for antibiotics before your results come back. The reason for this is that even if you get negative results, it is likely you have another type of infection such as a UTI that would require treatment. Regardless of your results, taking the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed is quite important.
Pregnancy and Chlamydia
If you are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant, testing should be done as soon as possible. Chlamydia can lead to eye infections and pneumonia in your newborn. It can also increase the risk of an early birth. Testing is safe while pregnant and should be done quickly to prevent harmful effects and to begin any necessary treatment.