Friday , March 29 2024

CHLAMYDIA INFECTION

Chlamydia Infection, simply known as Chlamydia is a common Sexually Transmitted Infection(STI). It is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia Trachomatis. Most people who are infected have no symptoms in the early stages. It takes a few weeks following the infection for symptoms to occur.

Symptoms of Chlamydia

Symptoms in women may include abnormal vaginal discharge, burning with urination, abdominal pains with fever, itching or burning in or around the vagina, pain when urinating and painful periods.

Symptoms in men may include small amount of clear or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis, painful urination, burning and itching around the opening of the penis and pain and swelling around the testicles.

How Chlamydia spreads

An infected mother can spread it to her baby during pregnancy, labour or nursing.

An infected person can also spread it to an uninfected person through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex.

What happens if Chlamydia is left untreated?

For women

Chlamydia infection can cause pelvic inflammatory diseases. This can lead to the damage of the fallopian tubes or even cause infertility.

Untreated Chlamydia infection can also increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

It may also cause premature births and the infections can be passed on from the mother to the child during childbirth. This causes an eye infection, blindness or pneumonia in the newborn.

For men

Chlamydia can cause a condition called epididymitis, an infection of the epididymis.

It can also cause proctitis, an inflammation of the rectum.

How to prevent Chlamydia

Use condoms correctly every time you have sex.

Also, limit the number of sex partners, and do not go back and forth between partners.

Practice sexual abstinence, or limit sexual contact with an uninfected partner.

If you think you are infected, avoid sexual contact and see a doctor

 

This infection is easily spread because it often shows no symptoms till weeks after infected. About 90% of women and 70% of men are infected with Chlamydia.

http://www.webmd,com

Story By Hilda Adzokpa.

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