Chlamydia - What Should I Know About It?
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported sexually transmitted
disease (STD), especially among young adults and teenagers.
However, most people who are infected do not know that they have
chlamydia, because they may not have any symptoms.
Chlamydia is probably the most common treatable Sexually
transmitted disease, but because it often presents no symptoms
in either men or women unless it leads to complications (when
treatment is sometimes too late to stop permanent damage), it is
very widespread.
For some women the damage to their reproductive system can be
catastrophic. The infection can cause scarring to her fallopian
tubes which can cause them to malfunction. The fallopian tubes
carry her eggs to her womb, and in this scenario her tubes can
become either completely blocked, or cause any pregnancy to
become impaired.
Once this happens, she has a much higher rate of any subsequent
pregnancy being an ectopic one, or not becoming pregnant at all.
As an ectopic pregnancy can have life threatening consequences,
this can become a dire emergency.
Chlamydia infection can also lead to pain in her lower abdomen.
This can often be mistaken for other problems rather than the
pelvic infection she is suffering from. If this happens and the
infection is not treated, it can lead on to further medical
problems.
Men can also have problems due to a Chlamydia infection. It has
been found that Chlamydia is probably the most common cause of
inflammation in the testicles and sperm-conducting tubes in men
under 35. This inflammation can cause pain, swelling and redness
on the affected or both sides of his scrotum. It has even been
known for Chlamydia infection to trigger joint inflammation in
some men.
Unfortunately not all doctors are aware enough to test their
patients for a chlamydia infection so may not complete the
necessary test needed to confirm a diagnosis. Another reason why
chlamydia is so widespread, they may also have some difficulty
discussing sex related topics with their patients. They also
have a limited amount of time to spend with each patient, and
often obvious symptoms can be missed.
Therefore it is imperative that an education campaign is mounted
for those people who are most likely to become infected so they
are able to take the initiative for their health into their own
hands by practicing safe sex at all times and ensuring they are
fully aware of the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases.