Is it possible to get chlamydia from tattoos? What is the risk of contracting chlamydia, the likelihood of infection in men and women? The disease in women is characterized by

The commercialization of medicine, difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of chlamydia, "sensational" reports in the press give rise to a large amount of speculation regarding this disease. In the city, it became difficult to meet a patient with complaints of urogenital infection, who would not be diagnosed with chlamydia at some medical center. It has become a common occurrence when a patient bypasses several laboratories and decides to start treatment based on the prevalence of “positive” or “negative” conclusions. In the treatment of chlamydia, the range of proposals is also quite wide: one doctor confidently treats chlamydia with a course of tetracycline, the other prescribes treatment for $ 200. People who are diagnosed with chlamydia show a natural desire to learn more about this disease, but often either they cannot get the necessary information, or it is very opportunistic. We hear questions from almost every patient: is the information about almost universal infection with chlamydia correct? Are there reliable methods for diagnosing this disease? Is it necessary to be treated for chlamydia? Is it possible to recover from it at all?
The purpose of this brochure is to help the reader understand the “mysterious” disease. We have selected 30 most frequently asked questions and tried to answer them from the standpoint of modern ideas about chlamydial infection.

Etiology, epidemiology, clinic

What is Chlamydia?

Urogenital chlamydia is an infectious disease caused by chlamydia, transmitted primarily sexually, affecting the urogenital tract and other organs, with mild symptoms and a high tendency to chronicity.

Has chlamydia only appeared in recent years, or has it existed before?

Of course, chlamydia existed before, but the ability to diagnose this infection appeared only relatively recently. What used to be called simply “inflammation,” “urethritis,” etc. in a certain percentage of cases it was associated with chlamydial infection. The prevalence of chlamydia in the population does not stand in one place. In particular, the liberalization of sexual relations, a decrease in the age of onset of sexual activity, a low culture of the use of protective agents contributes to an increase in the number of chlamydia infected among the population of a particular region (city, state).

Chlamydia of all types (C. trachomatis, C. psittaci, C. pneumoniae, C. pecorum) found in humans are pathogenic. They are not representatives of normal human flora. The detection of chlamydia indicates the presence of an infectious process. The absence or erasure of clinical symptoms of the disease is a characteristic sign of chlamydial infection and does not indicate the absence of the pathogenic effect of chlamydia on the body.

C. trachomatis is of the greatest practical interest from a therapeutic point of view, and in the further presentation it will be about this type of chlamydia.

What is chlamydial persistence?

Persistence is a long-term association of chlamydia with a host cell, in which chlamydia is in a viable state, however, the protective mechanisms of the macroorganism do not allow chlamydia to pass into the stage of active growth and reproduction.

What is the prevalence of urogenital chlamydia?

According to the latest data obtained using the most accurate method - polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on large material, the share of chlamydial infection in the total spectrum of urogenital infections is 3-30%. The frequency of detection of chlamydia in gynecological patients is from 20 to 40%. At screening population examination, chlamydia is found in 5-10% of sexually active adults.
According to our data, the frequency of detection of chlamydia in the genitourinary tract in urogenital patients in Bishkek is 16%.

What other diseases can be confused with urogenital chlamydia?

Urogenital tract infections such as ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis can have a clinical picture similar to chlamydia.

Is it possible to become infected with chlamydia simultaneously with Trichomonas, ureaplasma, etc.?

Chlamydia can give mixed or mixed infections with a number of pathogens (Trichomonas, gonococcus, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, gardnerella, etc.). Treatment of mixed infections has certain characteristics, therefore, when chlamydia is detected, it is useful to conduct an examination for the presence of these pathogens.

What is the probability of infection with urogenital chlamydia during sexual contact with a person infected with chlamydia?

The risk of infection is estimated at an average of 60%. The likelihood of infection is determined by:

• virulence of the pathogen strain;
• localization and activity of the infectious process in the patient;
• the state of immunity and the genetic predisposition of a partner who had contact with an infected person;
• the presence of other infections that create favorable conditions for infection with chlamydia (trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis, gonorrhea, etc.);
• in women, the ratio of sex hormones that affect the state of the vaginal mucosa, cervix and endometrium; thus, taking hormonal contraceptives increases the likelihood of infection.

The risk of contracting a permanent partner is much higher.

How long after exposure to infected chlamydia can symptoms develop?

The incubation period is 1-4 weeks (average 3 weeks). However, obvious manifestations of infection may not develop. In this case, only laboratory diagnostic methods will identify the infection.

How long does it take after infection with chlamydia for laboratory tests to show a positive result?

PCR analysis allows detecting chlamydia after 1-3 weeks from the moment of infection. Acute-phase antibodies to chlamydia (IgM, IgA) appear in the blood on the 15-20th day, and IgG - on the 20-30th day after infection. Thus, if a month after contact with an infected person, laboratory tests give a negative result, we can assume that the infection has not occurred.

Can you get chlamydia through asexual route?

There is no consensus on the possibility of C. trachomatis being infected by asexual route. In favor of the possibility of asexual infection, cases of familial chlamydia testify, when in a family where a husband and wife are sick with urogenital chlamydia, chlamydia is also found in representatives of the older and younger generations, causing them to damage the genitourinary system, respiratory organs (tracheobronchitis, pneumonia), and organs of vision (conjunctivitis), joints (arthritis).

How to protect yourself from chlamydia infection?

Casual sex plays a major role in the spread of chlamydia. Using a condom during sexual intercourse with a person infected with chlamydia will prevent infection in most cases. To prevent infection of the newborn during childbirth, antibiotic therapy is necessary in the third trimester of pregnancy. Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene will avoid the transmission of chlamydia through the household.

Is it possible to be only a carrier of chlamydial infection, but not be sick at the same time?

Chlamydia is asymptomatic in 46% of men and 67% of women. Thus, among those who consider themselves healthy, carriers of chlamydia inevitably occur, in which the infection proceeds in a latent form. The absence of clinical manifestations does not mean the absence of a harmful effect of chlamydia on the body. Chlamydia is especially harmful to the reproductive system of women.

What is the mechanism of the pathogenic effect of chlamydia on the body?

The pathogenesis of urogenital chlamydia is based on a slow infectious process, accompanied by the formation of scars on the mucous membrane. If the infection spreads to the fallopian tubes, the scarring process can lead to tubal obstruction, which is often the cause of ectopic pregnancy. Another unfortunate consequence of chlamydia can be infertility due to complete blockage of the tubes.

Is chlamydia dangerous for men?

The most common form of chlamydia in men - urethritis - may not cause much inconvenience to the patient, however, chlamydia can also cause more serious diseases - inflammation of the epididymis, prostate, joints, which can result in reproductive disorders, reduced working capacity.

What are the clinical signs of chlamydia?

Chlamydia mainly affects cells of the columnar epithelium of the genitourinary tract, respiratory tract, conjunctiva. Chlamydia is characterized by blurring of the clinical picture.

Among the most common symptoms are the following:

• cervicitis:
• specific mucopurulent discharge from the genital tract, without a pungent odor, edema, hyperemia of the cervix;

• urethritis:
• dysuria, itching, scanty discharge;

• salpingitis:
• pain in the lower abdomen, increased leucorrhoea before menstruation, infertility due to obstruction of the tubes;
• chronic prostatitis:
• pain in the perineum, frequent urge and pain when urinating,
• vulvovestibulovaginitis
• in prepubertal girls: frequent urination, itching in the genital tract, discharge;
• chronic recurrent diseases of the upper respiratory system:
• frequent colds with complications and prolonged cough.
• pneumonia
• in newborns: chronic course without fever with attacks of whooping cough, shortness of breath and cyanosis, developing 4-10 weeks after delivery;
• conjunctivitis: in adults
• chronic catarrhal or follicular form with exacerbation 3-4 times a year, often passing without any treatment; in newborns: occurs 5-10 days after childbirth with an acute or subacute onset in papillary form with purulent discharge without damage to the cornea;
• reiter's syndrome: characterized by a triad of symptoms - arthritis, urethritis, conctivitis; develops in men aged 16-35 years; there is a hereditary predisposition;
• mucous discharge from the rectum, anorectal pain;
• inflammation of the epididymis - swelling of the testicles, pain in the scrotum, in the case of an acute infection - fever.

Diagnostics

What laboratory methods are used in the diagnosis of chlamydia?

Laboratory methods for the diagnosis of chlamydia, in decreasing order of accuracy, can be arranged in the following sequence: culture method - polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method - enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) - direct immunofluorescence method (DIF) - immunochromatographic (IC) and enzymatic methods - cytological method.

What laboratory tests are necessary and sufficient to diagnose chlamydia?

In most cases, it is necessary and sufficient to study by PCR or PIF material from the site of possible localization of chlamydia (scraping from the urethra, cervix, pharynx, conjunctiva; urine, prostate juice, etc.) and determination of the IgG titer in a blood sample from a vein. In the case of fresh acute urethritis or cervicitis, the use of express systems "Chlamygen", "Chlamy-Chek", etc. is justified. It is advisable to study IgM, IgA in the case of an acute infectious process, when IgG gives weakly positive titers.

What does the titer value of antibodies (IgG, IgA and IgM) against chlamydia indicate?

In chronic urogenital chlamydia, average IgG titers (1: 200 - 1: 400), moderate IgA (1: 100 - 1: 200) and low IgM titers (1: 100 and below) are more often observed. High titers of IgM, IgA and low titer of IgG indicate an early stage of the infectious process. The titer value does not always indicate the intensity of the inflammatory process or the stage of the disease. There is an opinion that a high titer of antibodies in urogenital infection has a more favorable prognosis, preventing the spread of infection to the upper parts of the genitourinary system and reducing the risk of fetal infection during pregnancy.

Table 11. The level of specific immunoglobulins of various classes at different stages of chlamydial infection

Stage of the disease	IgG titer range	IgA titer range	IgM titer range
Primary / acute (determined Ig M)	100-6400	50-1600	50-3200
Chronic (determined by Ig G, Ig A)	100-1600	50-200
Reactivation / reinfection (determined Ig G, IgA)	100-6400	50-400
Condition after convalescence (determined IgG)	100-400

What does an IgG titer of 1:50 indicate?

Such a title can take place:
during the initial stage of chlamydial infection;
with chlamydial infection against the background of immunodeficiency;
after effective therapy, residual antibody levels;
in case of a non-specific reaction (no chlamydial infection).
Due to the ambiguity of the interpretation of this result, it is recommended to repeat the analysis after 1-2 weeks, or to examine the level of IgA, IgM, or to perform the analysis by another method (PCR, PIF).

Studies on chlamydia, performed by different methods, have given different results. Which analyzes should you trust?

The more accurate the method is, the more reliable the result. However, the opposite results do not always contradict one another. For example, a positive result for PCR and a negative result for antibodies to chlamydia can occur at a very early stage of infection, when the body has not yet begun to form antibodies in sufficient quantities, or with a weakened immune response. On the other hand, in the case of ophthalmochlamydia or pulmonary chlamydial infection, a blood test for anti-chlamydial antibodies will give a positive result, and the analysis of a smear from the urogenital organs may not reveal the presence of chlamydia.

Treatment

Can chlamydia be cured?

Chlamydia is curable.
Acute forms of chlamydia are easier to treat. In the treatment of chlamydia, it is important to choose the right antibiotic and not violate the prescribed regimen (frequency of admission, duration of the course). Failure to comply with these rules contributes to the development of resistance to this antibiotic in chlamydia and the transition of the infection to a chronic form, which is much more difficult to treat. For chronic infections, one course of treatment may not be enough. A repeated course of treatment is usually carried out two months after the previous course. This interval is necessary for the transition of chlamydia from the inactive form to the stage of reproduction.

Is it necessary to carry out treatment if the tests for chlamydia are positive, but there are no complaints?

• the presence of clinical symptoms of chlamydia;
• titer of antibodies (IgG) to chlamydia
• antibody titer (IgM) to chlamydia
• positive result of PCR analysis;
• positive result of mutual fund analysis;
• positive result of rapid tests.

If there is only one positive response, dynamic observation is recommended, followed by laboratory control in 2-3 weeks.

Chlamydia was found in one of the sexual partners. Should the second partner be treated for chlamydia if he has no complaints?

Necessary because the untreated partner can represent a reservoir of infection and lead to reinfection of the newly treated partner. Immunity after suffering chlamydia does not develop. Repeated re-infection can create the illusion of a persistently incurable infection.

What antibiotics are most effective against chlamydia?

The most active against chlamydia are antibiotics of the macrolide group: sumamed, wilprafen, macropen, rovamycin, erythromycin; fluoroquinolone groups: ofloxacin (zanocin, tarivid); tetracycline groups: doxycycline. Many doctors believe that for effective treatment of chlamydia, the course of antibiotic therapy should be at least 20 days.

Is antibiotic alone enough to treat chlamydia?

Usually, antibiotic treatment alone is effective for acute fresh infection. In the case of chronic chlamydia, in which the activity of the immune system is reduced, antibiotic treatment alone may not give a positive result. In the case of a mixed infection, for example, when chlamydia is combined with trichomoniasis, the treatment of chlamydia should be preceded by the elimination of the concomitant pathogenic flora (trichopolum).

What drugs besides antibiotics are used to treat chlamydia?

Not everyone knows the fact that chlamydia is sexually transmitted in almost all cases. The primary mode of infection is vaginal, anal and oral sex. This is an infectious disease that occurs due to the rapid multiplication of chlamydia and their penetration into certain zones of the cylindrical epithelium of the genitourinary system (in men - the anterior urethra, in women - the mucous membrane of the cervical canal of the uterus). The body's defenses cannot get there, and drugs cope with difficulty.

Many people are interested in what is the likelihood of contracting chlamydia in the household? Is there such a possibility? If yes, what preventive measures need to be taken so that household infection with chlamydia is not caught by surprise. It should be noted right away that it is unlikely to get such a disease through everyday life. This is due to the fact that microorganisms live very little outside the human body. In addition, for infection to occur, a sufficient number of bacteria is required, which can only be achieved through sexual contact with a sick person.

However, as practice shows, cases of infection with chlamydia through the household route have taken place in medical practice. This method of infection is also called contact-household, when microorganisms are transmitted from dirty hands to the mucous membrane of the eye. Although chlamydiae live a relatively short life outside the human body, it was nevertheless revealed that they can be retained in some amount on various objects, such as napkins, bedding, common towels, underwear and other common utensils. Dangerous bacteria can be stored at 18-19 ° C for no more than 48 hours. Based on such data, we can safely conclude that chlamydia is transmitted through the household, albeit with a small degree of probability.

The fear of whether chlamydia is transmitted by household means has no basis. If such an infection occurs, then it occurs extremely rarely. As already mentioned, in order for chlamydia to be transmitted through everyday life, they need certain conditions to continue their "life", namely, the appropriate temperature and a certain amount of them in one area.

But in order to completely free yourself and your family from bacteria damage, you should take some preventive precautions. Moreover, this applies to all family members and even those who have not had sexual intercourse, including young children and newborns. There is nothing to be surprised at, since the vertical mode of infection (during childbirth) is more likely. The baby can be born either already infected, or get an infection passing through the mother's birth canal. That is why pregnant women must be tested for vaginal microflora.

Moreover, if chlamydia is found in one of the family members, special attention should be paid to the prevention of the rest of the household, including children. What measures need to be taken? First, every family member should be tested and tested. Secondly, do not ignore the fact that household transmission of chlamydia is possible. Therefore, pay attention to adhering to the following rules of conduct in your family, namely:

Chlamydia infection
Chlamydia infection threatens with serious consequences for the patient's body, since the pathogenic microorganism of this disease damages not only external and ...
When you hear that some kind of venereal disease has been discovered in someone of your acquaintances or in a sexual partner, you involuntarily begin ...

Reviews and comments

This infection is transmitted through saliva. How can it be: through a kiss (on the lips, in the eyes), through household items: a sick person's dishes, a spoon, a fork, a toothbrush ... When they smoke one cigarette for two, drink from the throat of one bottle, or an ordinary spit in the face and saliva gets into the eyes. Then it can be transmitted through blood-sucking insects (pubic lice, bedbugs, etc.).

20.06.2017

Diseases transmitted sexually, according to statistics, about one hundred million people are infected annually.

But it is most likely that the number of such people is many times greater, because often the symptoms of the disease do not appear and not everyone goes to the doctor with such a delicate problem. The most common sexually transmitted diseases are provoked by three types of bacteria: ureplasma,trichomonas and chlamydia. Let's talk about what are dangerous andhow chlamydia is transmitted.

Consequences of chlamydia infection

Chlamydiae are dangerous because when they enter the human body, they multiply inside cells of differenttypes of fabrics. Ways of infection of the body with chlamydia pass not only through the genitourinary system. Infectiontransmitted on a number of other organs with mucous membranes:

• organs of hearing;
• visual system;
• vascular walls;
• heart;
• the shell of the joints;
• respiratory system.

Chlamydia infection fraught with complications of diseases, and in humanscan Cause: conjunctivitis, arthritis, prostatitis, pelvic diseases in women, infertility, pneumonia in newborns, inflammation of the brain.

Lungs, liver,lymph nodes , heart, gastrointestinal tract.

What are chlamydia

So what is chlamydia? These are bacteria that are isolated in a separate genus. The most common that infects humans ischlamydia trachomatis... But there are other types:Chlamydia suis and Chlamydia muridarum, which were first discovered in animals and rodents. Therefore, in theory, infection canbe transmitted not only for people, but also for animals and birds.

Chlamydia with different routes of infection , still have the ability to "hibernate" and stay inside the body for a long time, without showing themselves in any way. This happens under conditions unfavorable for the bacteria, for example, under the action of antibiotics.

But, how chlamydia is transmitted in this case? When the immune system is weakened by illness or stress, bacteria wake up and multiply again in the body.

How can you get chlamydia

How do you get chlamydia? Just like with any infection - chlamydia gets into a healthy body from the patient. The most common infection is through the reproductive system. But unfortunately,chlamydia transmission are not limited to this. Chlamydia can be contracted in other ways, for example,with a kiss.

Chlamydia can be transmittedorally because it very often infects the oral cavity. Chlamydiae affects the nasopharynx and spreads as patches of thick mucus throughout the mouth.Orally from a sick person to a healthy person, they will penetrateblood through the smallest wounds, which are almost always on the mucous membrane of the mouth. thereforeblow job is in second place in terms of infection frequency. But the answer to the question: “Is chlamydia transmitted through kissing? ”Will also be positive.

Interest in that: "Is chlamydia transmitted through the household? ”, Will also not be superfluous, because there is little comforting here either. The fact is that chlamydia can remain viable outside the body for up to two days if they are kept in moderate humidity and at room temperature.

In a humid environment and temperatures up to +40 degrees, for example, in washcloths, they can live up to 5 days. Therefore, with a common use of a toothbrush, towel, razor, cutlery, bedding with a sick person, there is a considerable probabilityget sick.

Chlamydia in children can develop in the womb of an ailing mother. Bacteria from the uterus enter the baby through the placenta. Such an infection can provoke premature birth, the development of fetal pathologies, or even its fading in the womb. Also babycan get infected during childbirth, passing through birthways affected by chlamydia. If infected during childbirth in a newbornchild conjunctivitis, pneumonia, urogenital chlamydia, chlamydial inflammation of the colon often occur. Infectedbaby infection can alsobe transferred to others through household items.

By airborne dropletsget infected almost impossible. Buthow the disease is transmitted through the mucous membrane of the nose or mouth, there is a possibility thatchlamydia with a close distance to a sneezing or coughing person with chlamydial pathology of the respiratory system,will be transferred to a healthy person.

How the infection process proceeds

What is chlamydia we already know. Butwhat How does the infection spread? Chlamydia enters the living organism through the mucous membrane. Here they find a weakened cell and penetrate through the membrane into it.

Distributed bychlamydia is as fast as it is transmitted. In the cell, within 8-12 hours, chlamydiae are transformed into another species capable of division. Then they divide into several hundred particles, forming a colony of chlamydia. These little bodies grow using the energy of the affected cell. The growth process takes 2-3 days. Then the formed bacteria break the cell membrane and enter the intercellular space. They are ready for defeat again - they find sensitive cells, and the process repeats. Thus, the infection spreads widely within a few days.

Intoxication symptoms

Like modes of transmission, symptoms of manifestationchlamydia are different. You need to worry if there are:

• viscous mucus with an unpleasant odor in the nasopharynx;
• thick white coating in the mouth;
• swelling of the palate.

Also, women may experience:

• yellowish mucopurulent with a pronounced odor of vaginal discharge;
• pain in the lower abdomen and in the small pelvis;
• bleeding in the middle of the menstrual cycle.

Men can suffer from:

• lingering inflammation of the urethra, accompanied by vitreous discharge, itching, burning;
• not severe pain in the lower back, scrotum, testicles;
• bloody discharge during ejaculation or at the end of urination.

Also a sign of chlamydia intoxicationcan be general weakness and an increase in body temperature in the region of 37 C.

It happens that the manifestation of symptoms does not last long, but the disease does not go away. It becomes chronic, weakening the immune systeminfected human and causing complications.

Chlamydia is often asymptomatic. Therefore mancan do not know about the disease for a long time and, whenthis , be dangerous to your loved ones.

How to protect yourself from infection

How can you get chlamydia, we already know. Due tochlamydia is transmitted most often sexually The surest way to protect yourself from infection is to have a regular sex partner. But there are also nuances here - your partner may be infected before meeting you or have other sexual contacts.

During sexual intercourse, you can partially protect yourself using a contraceptive. Why partially?Is chlamydia transmitted through a condom? No, chlamydia bacteria do not penetrate through the pores of the condom - they are larger. But there are othersways of infection when using this contraceptive:

• a condom is worn only during intercourse, and bacteria can get on the bedding during foreplay;
• a condom is used exclusively before ejaculation, and not throughout the entire intercourse;
• damage to the condom;
• improper use - dressed in an expanded form or immediately with one side, and then with the other;
• repeated use.

Can I get chlamydia in a swimming pool? Chlamydiae can settle into the body, directly falling on the mucous membrane of the urethra, vagina, mouth or eyes.

Such contamination is impossible through the pool water. Bacteria are killed very quickly in the presence of disinfectants, and the pool water is certainly chlorinated.

But through personal hygiene items - it is quite acceptable. Therefore, using in the poolonly personal washcloth and towel, you will surely protect yourself from such infection.

Household chlamydia less common than sexual and oral. If you follow the rules of personal hygiene: exclusively individually use products that are in direct contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, genitals, thenget chlamydia in the household, it will be hard.

When one family member is sick, there is a risktransmission of infection and others, including babies. Oftenchlamydia in children appears from a sick mother. It is not safe to be treated during pregnancy. Therefore, when planning a pregnancy, a woman needs to be examined for intoxication with such bacteria and, if necessary, be sure to be treated.

Treatment methods

After passing the tests and identifying the disease, the doctor prescribes the necessary treatment. Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. Most often used for such treatment: Erythromycin, Azithromycin, Doxycycline. Antifungal drugs, drugs that support immunity and antimicrobial agents for topical use are also connected.

Due tochlamydia has different routes of transmission , during treatment, the patient needs to exclude sexual intercourse and protect healthy family members from using common household items.

Chlamydia can settle in your body for a long time and cause serious consequences. Therefore, for warningpossible complications, at the first suspicion - undergo examination and start treatment on time.

• The infection refers to those who are sexually transmitted. When urogenital chlamydia develops, infection always results from sexual intercourse. In this case, it is not at all necessary that the culprit of the infection knows about the presence of an infection. Chlamydia, existing in two forms, may not give a vivid clinical picture.

Elude ongoing therapy, experiencing a course of treatment in the form of intracellular resistant forms. Therefore, if one of the partners has not previously diagnosed chlamydia or has been treated, this is not a guarantee that he is not a carrier of chlamydia. the higher, the more often partners change, unprotected sex is practiced, the weaker the immune system and the less often a minimum clinical examination is performed.

• They talk about the vertical path when a newborn receives chlamydia inherited from the mother at the time of childbirth... In this case, the mother should have a clinic for the defeat of the birth canal (cervical canal, vagina). During pregnancy, the baby cannot get an infection through the blood, but becomes infected when passing through the birth canal.

• Domestic infection with chlamydia of the genitourinary tract is a utopia. It is practically impossible to become infected with chlamydia either through personal hygiene items or through common linen. In epidemiological terms, household infection with chlamydia does not play a role. You can get a broncho-pulmonary infection of chlamydial origin (ornithosis pneumonia) next to a coughing person who is sick with it. Also an eye injury called trachoma. It can be a consequence of domestic infection with chlamydia.

Chlamydial infection symptoms

Often the course of chlamydia is not accompanied by pronounced symptoms.

The manifestations of the disease differ, depending on the location of the disease.

The course may be different, depending on the sex of the patient.

Chlamydia infection in women

Often the moment of infection does not lead to a vivid clinical picture. after 2 weeks - a month only in 30% of women.

They begin to be bothered by itching and burning in the vagina or when urinating, more abundant mucous discharge.

With vaginal candidiasis in women, an admixture of pus is possible.

The discharge has an unpleasant odor and a yellowish tinge.

There is also an unpleasant odor, similar to the smell of rotten fish.

The pain is localized in the lower abdomen.

The patient has itching and burning in the genital area.

The unpleasant sensations may worsen while urinating.

The rest of the infected do not have significant reasons for seeking medical attention or do not notice them.

In the future, chlamydia becomes chronic, making the woman a source of infection.

With the oral form of chlamydia, patients complain of constant nasal congestion.

When examining the nasopharynx, thick sticky mucus is noted, which has an unpleasant odor.

It resembles the smell of a missing fish.

The mucus is white, in the initial stages it is limited to small areas, then it spreads to the entire oral cavity.

Infection of men

Most men acquire urogenital chlamydia

The vast majority of men acquire urogenital chlamydia through sexual intercourse.

Often it is diagnosed out of time, since its manifestations are rather scarce.

In men, the disease in the initial stages manifests itself as inflammation of the urethral canal.

In this case, scanty vitreous discharge is observed.

Additionally, there are symptoms of general intoxication of the body, pain and discomfort when urinating.

In some cases, a small amount of bloody discharge may appear after ejaculation or urination.

With a strong immunity, the disease has time to become chronic before it is going to be diagnosed.

The only way not to miss chlamydia and not start it is to consult a doctor at the slightest suspicion of an infection or its even mild manifestations.

Experienced specialists of our paid KVD always rely on the data of laboratory diagnostics and their own clinical experience.

They will be able to tell with confidence whether a person has a chlamydial infection.

In all cases of infection, our doctors are able to choose the optimal way of managing the patient, and after the cure, they will definitely give practical recommendations for prevention.

What to do if you get infected?

In the event that you suspect an infection, you should be tested.

If the result is positive, you should definitely visit the venereologist's office.

The doctor will prescribe a number of laboratory diagnostic methods, on the basis of which a comprehensive treatment will be prescribed.

It should be understood that some diagnostic methods can show the correct result only after some time.

Methods of primary prevention of chlamydia

The most effective method for preventing chlamydia is the use of latex condoms.

Don't rely on chance.

The latex condom as a method of preventing STIs shows itself to be much more effective than other methods.

In addition, one should avoid one-time sexual intercourse and be responsible for the choice of a sexual partner.

What to do if accidental intercourse occurs

First you need to urinate.

Then carry out a thorough hygiene of the genitals with soap and treat them with an antiseptic solution.

The most common drugs are Miramistin and Chlorhexidine.

Chlamydia prevention: where to go

In the event that you have had unprotected sex and there is a risk of contracting chlamydia, it is recommended to carry out emergency prevention.

But it is worth remembering that it can only be effective if it is performed immediately after intercourse.

It is necessary to carefully approach the choice of clinic.

If an infection is suspected, the doctor will take emergency preventive measures.

This can be done up to 24 hours after intercourse.

If you do become infected, do not despair.

Chlamydia is a curable disease.

After completing the course of treatment, it is necessary to undergo laboratory control.

For this, after a month and a half, blood is re-donated for an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or a PCR analysis is performed.

Infected with chlamydial infection: what to do

It is worth immediately seeking help at a dermatovenerologic dispensary.

Attention should be paid to the possibility of conducting an express test.

The doctor will provide professional medical assistance and take the necessary preventive measures.

If necessary, the doctor will prescribe treatment.

For any chance of contracting chlamydia, please contact the author of this article - a venereologist, urologist in Moscow with 15 years of experience.

How you can become infected with chlamydia is a question that worries, first of all, patients who, as a result of examination, have chlamydia. This common sexually transmitted disease affects about 100 million people every year. According to medical statistics, the incidence of chlamydia is growing steadily, affecting people 20 - 40 years old and even adolescents.

The peculiarity of infectious pathology is that it is asymptomatic, so many patients are not even aware of the presence of a virus in the body.

Chlamydia is an infection caused by chlamydia bacteria (Latin Chlamydia), which are obligate intracellular organisms. This means that chlamydia is able to multiply only inside human cells. In this case, bacteria for a long time in the body do not manifest themselves in any way. Chlamydia begins to actively multiply and assert itself only when the human immune system fails.

Currently, more than 30 varieties of Chlamydia have been identified, but the following species are of particular importance to humans:

• Chlamydia psittaci. Human infection occurs when communicating with birds and animals (usually pets) that are carriers of the infection. In humans, it causes atypical pneumonia, arthritis, psittacosis, kidney and nervous system pathologies;
• Chlamydia pecorum - affects cattle, human cases have not been identified;
• Chlamydophila pneumoniae. The infection is carried by a person, provoking the development of pathologies of the respiratory system, for example, pneumonia, bronchitis, even asthma;
• Chlamydophila felis is transmitted to humans by airborne droplets from cats. Conjunctivitis or rhinitis is a sign of infection. A person infected with Chlamydophila felis also has eye infections;
• Chlamydia trachomatis, or urogenital chlamydia, is the most common form of infection. It is more often diagnosed in animals, while the carrier of the disease is a person who is a carrier of the bacteria. There are several subspecies of Chlamydia trachomatis, affecting the genitourinary system of men and women and causing the development of various gynecological pathologies, threatening infertility in 50% of cases. It goes well with other sexually transmitted infections: gardnerellosis, ureaplasmosis, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, mycoplasmosis, etc., complicating the course of the disease and aggravating therapy.

The bacterium has two developmental cycles - infectious and reticular. In the first case, Chlamydia, attaching to the cell, penetrates into it and begins to grow actively, gradually (on average 8 - 12 hours) turning into a reticular microorganism. In this case, one cell is capable of infecting several bacteria at the same time.

Further (in the second cycle), chlamydia begin active intracellular division and, reaching maturity (on average after 2 days), break through the cell membrane, releasing a large army of bacteria. It has been proven that the first symptoms of chlamydia begin to appear after 1 - 2 weeks (less often after a month) from the moment of infection.

The danger of chlamydia lies in damage not only to the genitourinary system, but also to other organs that have a mucous membrane, in particular the auditory and visual, cardiovascular and respiratory, as well as musculoskeletal. Cases of damage to the liver, lymph nodes and the gastrointestinal tract have been recorded.

Ways of infection with chlamydia

How can chlamydia be transmitted? There are several ways. Let's consider them in more detail.

Intercourse

It has been proven that in 70-90% of cases, chlamydia is sexually transmitted. An infected partner (he may not even know about the presence of the disease) infects a healthy person during copulation, especially during unprotected sex: Chlamydia bacteria enter through the mucous membranes of the rectum and urinary organs, and then spread throughout the body with blood and lymph. Women are more susceptible to infection with chlamydia due to the structural features of the reproductive organs.

It is for the urogenital form of pathology that an asymptomatic course is characteristic. Therefore, many carriers of the infection are not even aware of chlamydia, while transmitting the disease to their sexual partner. This suggests that it is necessary to regularly examine the body for infections and use contraception.

Patients often ask if urogenital chlamydia can be transmitted through oral sex? Doctors answer this question positively. If a man is infected with the Chlamydia bacteria, then during oral sex they get to the woman on the mucous membrane of the mouth. The risk increases in the presence of microdamage (wounds, cracks, sick teeth). According to statistics, blowjob is the second most common way of chlamydia getting from a sick person to a healthy person.

There is a high probability of contracting chlamydia during anal intercourse. In this case, just as with the traditional method of intercourse, the woman or the passive partner suffers.

Therefore, in order to exclude the penetration of chlamydia, it is necessary to use barrier contraceptives for various types of sexual contacts. It has been proven that the possibility of infection through a condom still exists, but with protected sex, the risk is significantly reduced.

Direct contact path

It is possible to transmit chlamydia through saliva. This happens if a large number of bacteria accumulate in the oral mucosa, usually with an advanced course of the disease. This method of infection occurs in exceptional cases, since the epithelium of the oral cavity is multilayered, therefore it is unsuitable for the reproduction of Chlamydia bacteria.

Scientists believe that the chance of transmitting infection through kissing is practically zero. However, the likelihood of infection still exists if a person kisses with a carrier of the infection and swallows saliva, which contains many bacteria. Infection will occur if the Chlamydia bacteria leave the oral cavity, otherwise the saliva mechanisms will very quickly neutralize the dangerous infection.

Airborne droplet

In medical practice, this method of infection with chlamydia is rarely diagnosed. In order to infect others, a Chlamydia carrier must shed large amounts of bacteria when sneezing and coughing, but even that will not be enough. Inflammation of the lungs caused by the chlamydia virus is a rare case in medicine.

Household way

The likelihood of contracting chlamydia through the household is due to the bacteria's resistance to environmental conditions. Despite the fact that Chlamydia bacteria die very quickly in the open air, they are able to live longer in the presence of the following factor - a humid warm environment that retains their viability for five days. On average, chlamydiae live for about 48 hours.

The main way of getting chlamydia is contact with household items:

• Bed linen, clothing;
• Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, razor, washcloth, comb, etc.);
• Public areas (bath, sauna, toilet, bathroom).

Medicine has established facts indicating that water is contaminated with secondary use for washing or infection during water procedures, leading to chlamydial conjunctivitis (it is noteworthy that the urogenital analysis will be negative). Therefore, to the popular question of patients "Is it possible to catch chlamydia in the pool?", Experts answer in the affirmative, drawing attention to the fact that the risk of infection is practically reduced to zero, since for this, the water must contain a huge amount of chlamydia.

Vertical path

Among the main ways of getting Chlamydia bacteria from a sick person to a healthy body is the transmission of the virus from an infected mother when carrying a baby or breastfeeding. A particular danger arises during pregnancy, as the baby becomes infected when passing through the birth canal or placenta. Possible premature birth, intrauterine formation of pathologies of the newborn, placental abruption, even fetal fading in the mother's womb.

Contact way

The likelihood of contracting chlamydia is quite high as a result of the following procedures:

• Artificial termination of pregnancy;
• Installation;
• Use of a urinary catheter (common in the male population).

Distinguish between the fecal-oral method of infection with chlamydia, which depends solely on non-compliance with personal hygiene, and the mechanical route - infection with Chlamydia bacteria through insects (usually flies), animals and dust.

How pathology manifests itself

As mentioned above, most cases of chlamydia are asymptomatic. However, it is worth considering when the following pathological signs appear:

• Discharge of an unpleasant-smelling viscous mucus in the nasopharynx;
• The appearance of white plaque in the mouth;
• Swelling of the mucous membrane.

Women may be worried about:

• Vaginal discharge with a yellowish-purulent tint and a pronounced odor;
• Pain in the pelvic region and lower abdomen;
• Sudden bleeding occurring in the middle of the menstrual cycle.

For men, the manifestation of such symptoms is characteristic:

• Prolonged inflammation of the urinary system, accompanied by vitreous discharge, itching, burning;
• Moderate pain in the lower back, testicles, and scrotum;
• Discharge with blood during ejaculation and intercourse.

Common signs of infection with Chlamydia bacteria include malaise, weakness, and low-grade fever.

Please note that there are frequent cases of rapid attenuation of the symptoms of the disease. This indicates that chlamydia is taking on a chronic form, causing complications and weakening the human immune system.

To avoid the adverse effects and complications of chlamydia, you should immediately seek qualified medical help if the above symptoms appear. If you feel that you are starting to get sick (moreover, with any ARVI), do not postpone going to the doctor.

It is not difficult to prevent the spread of chlamydia: it is enough to strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene, to practice measures aimed at strengthening the immune system and increasing the body's resistance.