Chlamydia
The text below is courtesy of DOH we felt that this would be useful extra information for this site.
Chlamydia is the most common treatable bacterial sexually transmitted infection. It can cause serious problems later in life if it is not treated (see ‘Complications’ section). Chlamydia infects the cervix in women. The urethra; rectum and eyes can be infected in both sexes. Occasionally Chlamydia lives in other parts of the body, including the throat, lungs and liver.
Signs and symptoms – women
The majority of women who are infected with Chlamydia will have no symptoms at all. Possible symptoms are:
- A slight increase in vaginal discharge – caused by the cervix becoming inflamed
- A need to pass urine more often/pain on passing urine
- Lower abdominal pain
- Pain during sex
- Irregular menstrual bleeding
- A painful swelling and irritation in the eyes (if they are infected)
Signs and symptoms – men
Men are more likely to notice symptoms than women. However, they too may have no symptoms. Likely symptoms are:
- A discharge from the penis which may be white/cloudy and watery and stain underwear
- Pain and/or a burning sensation when passing urine
- A painful swelling and irritation in the eyes (if they are infected)
Chlamydia in the rectum rarely causes symptoms.
How Chlamydia is passed on
Chlamydia can be transmitted by:
- Having sex with someone who is infected
- A mother to her baby at birth
- Occasionally, by transferring the infection on fingers from the genitals to the eyes
Where to go for help
Your local NHS sexual health (GUM) clinic. You can find details of your nearest NHS sexual health clinic in the phone book under genitor-urinary medicine (GUM), sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or venereal diseases (VD). Or phone your local hospital and ask for the ‘special’ or GUM clinic. You will get free, confidential advice and treatment. You can go to any clinic anywhere in the country – you don’t have to go to a local one – and you don’t have to be referred by your GP. (Non-NHS sexual health clinics may not always offer the full range of services which are available at NHS sexual health clinics.)
The tests for Chlamydia
- An examination of your genital area is carried out by a doctor or nurse
- Samples are taken, using a cotton-wool or spongy swab, from any place which may be infected
- Women are usually given an internal pelvic examination
- Men are given an external examination of their testicles (balls) to check that these are healthy
- A sample of urine is usually taken
None of these tests should be painful, but may sometimes be uncomfortable.
Diagnosis and treatment
Samples taken during the examination are sent to a laboratory for testing, and the result is available usually within one week.
The treatment for Chlamydia is simple and effective once it has been diagnosed. You will be given antibiotic tablets.
If you are allergic to any antibiotics or if there is any possibility that you may be pregnant, it is important that you tell your doctor. This will affect which antibiotics you are prescribed.
It is important that you finish any course of treatment. If treatment is interrupted, it may be necessary to start again from the beginning.
If you have Chlamydia a health adviser will explain the infection to you and answer your questions. The health adviser will also ask you about your sexual partner(s), so that they can get a check-up and treatment if necessary.
You should not have penetrative sex (when the penis enters the vagina, mouth or anus) until you have returned to the clinic and been given the all-clear by the doctor.
Follow-up
It is important to return for a check-up once you have completed the treatment to make sure you are well and have no other infection.
Complications
Women
If untreated, Chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is an inflammation of the fallopian tubes (the tubes along which an egg passes to get to the womb). PID can lead to problems with fertility. Many cases of infertility can be traced back to infection with Chlamydia.
If a women has Chlamydia when she is pregnant she risks having an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb) or a premature birth. The infection can be passed on to the baby, giving it an eye or lung infection. Chlamydia can be safely treated during pregnancy.
Chlamydia can also lead to chronic (long-term) pelvic pain.
Men
Complications caused by Chlamydia in men are uncommon. But it may lead to painful inflammation of the testicles, which can cause infertility.
Men and Women
Reiters syndrome is a result of Chlamydia. It causes inflammation of the eyes and joints and sometimes a rash on the soles of the feet and genitals.
Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) can also be caused by Chlamydia.
Remember, after treatment, using condoms during sex can reduce your risk of getting or passing on sexually transmitted infections.
This fact-sheet is one of a series which give information on the following range of infections and diseases: bacterial vaginosis, Chlamydia, cystitis, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhoea, hepatitis (A, B and C) non-specific urethritis, penile cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), prostate cancer, public lice, scabies, syphilis, testicular cancer, thrush and trichomonas vaginalis.
Free copies of any of these fact-sheets are available from GP surgeries, NHS sexual health (GUM) clinics or your local health promotion unit (in the phone book under your Local Health Authority).
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