By Chlamydia is an infection that is often spread through sexual contact, and many people infected have no idea they have it. Up to a staggering 96% of people who have this infection can show no signs of it, which is why they are often so surprised when diagnosed with it. There are some warning signs to look for that may indicate you have this infection, and there are a few ways you can treat the condition. Below are some of the warning signs you may have contracted Chlamydia, how you can treat it, and how this infection can spread.
Warning Signs You May Have Chlamydia
The symptoms of Chlamydia in men and women are slightly different, but both sexes can contract and transmit the disease, so you need to be careful. Some of the symptoms for men can include any or all of the following:
- A Burning Sensation When Urinating
- Painful Testicles
- A Painful Lower Abdomen
- A Discharge From The Penis Either Yellow Or Green
The symptoms for men can also appear in the anus, and there can be pain and discharge from the area and bleeding. Some of the symptoms for women when it comes to Chlamydia can include:
- Vaginal Discharge
- A Painful Lower Abdomen
- A Burning Sensation When Urinating
- Bleeding Between Menstrual Cycles
- An Inflamed Cervix
- Sexual Intercourse Is Painful
The condition can worsen for women if it spreads to their fallopian tubes and can cause PID (pelvic inflammatory disease). The symptoms of this can include fever, severe pain in the pelvis, bleeding between your periods, and nausea. The condition can be treated in the same way for men and women, and a common treatment is Chlamydia antibiotics.
Treating Chlamydia Using Antibiotics
Antibiotics is one f the best ways for clearing up a dose of Chlamydia, and there are a couple of options for these when you visit your doctor. Your doctor may not give you an option and will just prescribe you what they think will work best, which is usually one of the following two drugs.
Azithromycin: Azithromycin is the easier of the two drugs to take, and you start by taking a 1g dose. You will then need to take 500mg once a day for two days, ad this should be enough to clear up your Chlamydia.
Doxycycline: Doxycycline is another common treatment for those who have Chlamydia, and the main difference with this drug is you need to take it every day for a week for it to work.
Preventing Chlamydia
Although the only 100% way to prevent Chlamydia is through abstention, there are things you can do to reduce the chances of catching this infection. Do not keep changing sexual partners and avoid having unprotected sex. If possible, always use a barrier, such as a condom, dental dam, or another barrier to prevent transmission. Ask your sexual partners about their history and if they have been tested for STDs recently. Also, ensure you get tested yourself if you are sexually active with multiple partners. You will also want to avoid sharing sex toys if you use them, and always make sure you clean them thoroughly before putting them away.
