Chlamydia treatment
Chlamydia is a disorder that is more commonly found in young adults, African Americans and people in urban areas that show a lower economic and social status. It is a bacterial infection disease that is transmitted between two people during sexual relations. Chlamydia is currently the most commonly transmitted STD or in America and it is estimated that nearly five percent of the overall population is infected with the disease. Chlamydia is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacterium found in the body. This bacterium can be transmitted between two people during sexual intercourse or from a mother to a child during the birthing process. In newborns, chlamydia has been known to cause severe eye infections and pneumonia.
The symptoms of chlamydia are different in men and women. Women typically show bleeding between menstrual cycles or after sexual intercourse, an abnormal vaginal discharge and lower abdominal pain and/or pain and burning during urination. In around 70 to 80 percent of women with this disease, no symptoms are shown whatsoever. Men may also show no symptoms of the disease. 25 to 50 percent of men with chlamydia show no symptoms. Common symptoms that are reported include an abnormal discharge from the penis, inflammation, infection, pain or tenderness in the testicles or the ducts surrounding the testicles and pain and burning sensations during urination.
Chlamydia treatment typically includes a prescription for antibiotics. There are several treatment options available and the one chosen will depend on the individual. Some antibiotic prescriptions include taking medication every day at the exact same time for no less than seven days. There are however, single dose treatments that are available, although these tend to be a bit more expensive. Those who live busy lifestyles or may not remember to take their medication at the same time every day may benefit from a single dose of antibiotics. Both treatment options are considered to be effective although the actual drugs prescribed have different levels of effectiveness. The more expensive medications are Levofloxacin and Oflaxacin. These are considered to be the most effective in treating chlamydia. The third option, erythromycin is not typically as effective and tends to produce nausea and vomiting, which directly affects how the medication is absorbed into the body. It is however, the least expensive medication option.
Those treated for chlamydia are typically urged by their doctors to contact all sexual partners for treatment. As with any other STD, chlamydia can be transmitted easily during sexual intercourse and all partners of an infected patient should be treated immediately. Doctors also typically recommend abstaining from sexual relations for no less than seven days after beginning chlamydia treatment to ensure that the disease is not passed on to partners.
If you have been exposed to chlamydia, it is important that you visit your doctor to ensure that you have not contracted the disease. You should also see your doctor right away if you experience abdominal pain, fever, abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis, pain or burning when you urinate or uncommonly frequent needs for urination. Left untreated, chlamydia can lead to very serious medical conditions. In women, pelvic inflammatory disease can develop which can lead to infertility. In men, infection can lead to inflammation of the testicles. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important that you seek medical emergency treatment right away, particularly if you know that you have been exposed to chlamydia. The first indication of the disease is knowing that you have been exposed and preventing the spread of infection depends on immediate treatment. Again, if you have been diagnosed with chlamydia it is crucial that you contact your sexual partner or partners and inform them of the diagnosis. This allows them to also be tested for the infection and to seek treatment to prevent a worsening of the condition and long-term medical complications.
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