Chlamydia
The scientific name for the bacteria, chlamydia, is Chlamydia trachomatis. The most common age group infected with chlamydia is men and women under the age of 25. There isn't any well-known street names or nicknames for chlamydia because it is an easily curable and less dangerous STI than other ones. Chlamydia is a spreadable bacteria, so be careful where you go. It is not hard to spread it, so you need to be careful with who you see. There are ways to protect, so use those methods.
How It's Spread
Chlamydia is spread pretty easily in multiple ways. One way to spread chlamydia is through sexual intercourse. If you get chlamydia, check with your sex partner to make sure they don't spread it around to other people. Another way to spread chlamydia is through oral-genital contact. By touching bodily fluids that contain chlamydia to your eye, you can get a chlamydial eye infection called chlamydial conjunctivitis. If you have chlamydia and get pregnant, it can cause the baby harm. Chlamydia can be passed down to a mothers baby when it is being delivered. It can cause pneumonia and conjentivitis in the baby, so it is very dangerous. Thankfully, you cannot get chlamydia from touching something that someone with chlamydia touched.
Signs And Symptoms
There are very different signs and symptoms for men and women with chlamydia. The following signs/symptoms will show up about 5-10 days after getting infected with chlamydia.
Women:
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Men:
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Cure
Chlamydia can cured pretty easily. First, go see a doctor, adolescent doctor, or gynecologist to get tested for chlamydia. Doctors of all kinds will be ready to help you. They understand your situation, so they will treat you well. After the tests come back, they will give you some treatment options like pills or doses to take everyday. This STI is very quick to get out of your system. The chlamydia will be gone within 7-10 days of being on the treatment medicine, so you will be back to normal very soon! Make sure to get tested 3 months after it has gone away to make sure it hasn't come back. Instead of having to go to all this trouble, just use protection. The only real way of preventing chlamydia is to use a latex condom.
TreatmentChlamydia can easily be treated, along with easily cured. It is a pretty easy process. Doctors will do a urine test to find out if you have it for sure. They don't want to give you medicine if you don't have it! They will then give you antibiotics (called Azithromycin antibiotic) that is taken in doses, or given each day. The chlamydia should clear within 7-10 days. If your sexual partner from 2 months ago has chlamydia, you should get tested and treated also, because you don't want to spread it again.
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Untreated EffectsIf chlamydia goes untreated, there can be multiple consequences. There are different effects for each gender.
Girls: They can get an infection of the urethra which can cause swelling and soreness of the cervix. An infection of the uterus, ovaries, and Fallopian tubes called topelvic inflammatory disease (PID) that causes infertility and ectopic pregnancies can also come from untreated chlamydia. If you don't want these effects, get treated. Boys: If chlamydia goes untreated, inflammation of the urethra and epididymis (the thing attached to the testicle that transports the sperm) can happen. |
Effects of the InfectedSince chlamydia is curable, most people won’t even notice that you had it. If you get tested for it and it comes out positive, just make sure to inform your sex partner before it gets spread to more people. You will be back to normal with your life after about 7-10 days of medicine for chlamydia. But, some people would probably be reluctant to hang out with you after you've had chlamydia EVEN IF it is gone because they will wonder: Who had it last? and will I get it? People might still be grossed out that you had it. Also, it might be hard to get into a relationship with someone because they might wonder what else that you have had.
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Where to Get TreatedTo get tested for chlamydia, go to your local family doctor, adolescent doctor, or gynecologist. Planned Parenthood health center has tests available for chlamydia. Basically any health care provider, clinics, or health departments have tests, you just have to stop in and ask for one to be performed. There is a Planned Parenthood center in Madison. Here it is:
If that isn't the right center, click this button to pick the correct one.
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Sources:
http://teenshealth.org/teen/infections/#cat20173
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/stds-hiv-safer-sex-101.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/centerDetails.asp?f=2733&a=91860&v=details
https://onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/chlamydia-treatment.html
http://teenshealth.org/teen/infections/#cat20173
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/stds-hiv-safer-sex-101.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/centerDetails.asp?f=2733&a=91860&v=details
https://onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/chlamydia-treatment.html