Chlamydia is an infectious-contagious disease that can affect sexually active men and women, in women it can manifest itself asymptomatically.
The transmitting agent is the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It reaches the urethra and other genitals giving burning, pain when urinating, increased number of urinations and, in some cases, translucent discharge, especially at dawn. This can be abundant and pus, in some rarer cases.
This is an STD (sexually transmitted disease), transmitted in relationships without the use of condoms with a carrier partner. O incubation period it is approximately fifteen days between intercourse and the onset of symptoms. During this period, the carrier may already be able to transmit the disease.
There is no record of cases of congenital chlamydia (vertical transmission, from the pregnant woman to the fetus). However, infected mothers can infect their children at the time of delivery, which can contract conjunctivitis (ophthalmia neonatorum) or even pneumonia. Premature births can occur.
In addition to what has already been mentioned, the infection can also cause, in women, lower abdominal pain, bleeding after intercourse, cramps, dizziness, vomiting, and fever. In men, there can be inflammation of structures near the urethra, such as epididymis, testes and prostate.
At no treatment, males may have their urethra narrowed. As for females, pregnancy in the fallopian tubes, premature birth and even sterility. Both are at risk of suffering from infertility and become more likely to be infected with the AIDS virus.
O diagnosis it consists of collecting material by smearing the urethra or cervix, so that direct immunofluorescence tests can be performed, in order to identify the infectious agent.
As it is a sexually transmitted disease, the use of condoms (even in anal or oral sex) and post-coital hygiene are necessary measures regarding prevention.
O treatment it consists of the use of antibiotics and should involve both the patient and their partner(s). Sexual abstinence is indicated.
Because there are high chances of reinfection, it is recommended that new tests are performed between three and four months after the end of treatment.
THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH WARNS:
Self-medication can have unwanted and unanticipated effects, as the wrong medicine not only does not cure, it can worsen your health.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology