Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most common infectious diseases that damage the genitals today.
CAUSES OF THE DISEASE
Chlamydia is caused by bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis, which live and multiply in the human body. As a rule, chlamydia is transmitted sexually, but it is often possible to get infected through a handshake, the use of shared dishes, towels or linen.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
In the first couple of weeks after infection, the patient does not observe any signs of malaise. This is the period during which chlamydia “get used” to a new habitat for them and begin to actively reproduce. As soon as the period of calm is over, the first symptoms appear in a person.
In men , such symptoms include:
Morning vitreous discharge from the urethra,
Often – burning and itching when emptying the bladder,
Spotting after ejaculation,
Slight increase in body temperature,
General weakness.
In women , the symptoms of chlamydia are as follows:
Vaginal discharge having a yellowish color and an unpleasant odor,
Burning and itching when urinating,
Fever,
General weakness.
Even in the absence of treatment, both men and women have symptoms that disappear quite quickly. However, chlamydia in the body continues to multiply, and the disease goes into a chronic stage. Bacteria negatively affect the immune system, weakening the immune system and at the same time “knocking it down” – so that the body begins to perceive some of its own tissues as foreign. Internal organs, joints, and muscles may be involved in the process.
diagnostics
If any of these symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor (gynecologist – women and urologist – men). For a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to identify the pathogen-chlamydia. The peculiarity of the disease is that chlamydia is not so easy to detect – most likely, such complex procedures as DNA diagnostics will be required.
PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT
Chlamydia is quite resistant to treatment, and it is quite difficult to get rid of them. However, it is necessary to treat chlamydia, especially for women and couples who plan to have a child, since the pathology is most likely transmitted to children.
The course of treatment includes taking multivitamins, antibacterial drugs, immunomodulators, as well as increased attention to lifestyle, diet and, possibly, temporary abstinence from sexual contact. Treatment should be given to both partners. The success of treatment can be said if the control tests carried out do not reveal chlamydia – neither after the completion of the course of therapy, nor after 1-2 months.
PREVENTION
It is quite difficult to prevent infection with chlamydia. As one of the methods of prevention in women, regular douching can be called, but this method is fraught with the washing out of beneficial microflora, so it should not be abused.
During sexual contacts, attention should be paid to ways to protect against sexually transmitted infections. However, even the use of condoms does not provide an absolute guarantee of protection against infection with chlamydia. Therefore, it is necessary to undergo regular medical examination for infection detection – especially if a person leads a promiscuous sex life. If there are doubts about the health of the partner, you should also visit a doctor shortly after sexual contact.
When planning a pregnancy, it is necessary to visit a gynecologist in advance and make sure that there is no chlamydia in order to prevent infection of the fetus.
