Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common STD caused by bacteria that can lead to vaginal discharge, burning during urination, abdominal pain, nausea, fever and more, although many patients do not experience any symptoms from this disease. It can also have damaging effects on the fetus of pregnant women who are affected by this disease.
This disease may be transmitted through vaginal, oral or anal sex, and can also be passed from mother to baby during vaginal childbirth. Over one million cases of chlamydia are reported in the US each year, with cases likely going unreported as a result of the asymptomatic nature of this condition, making chlamydia the most frequently occurring bacterial STD in the US.
Although serious in nature, chlamydia is not usually a life-threatening disease and can be treated effectively in the hands of a knowledgeable and experienced doctor, such as those at Family Care Torrance. We are specially trained in handling the delicate nature of treating this and other sexually transmitted diseases so that patients can continue to enjoy a happy and healthy life.

Symptoms

Many patients do not experience any symptoms from chlamydia, making it a "silent" disease for many. Those who do experience symptoms usually notice them appearing one to three weeks after exposure. These symptoms are usually mild and may not be cause for concern for many patients. Common symptoms include:

• Painful Urination
• Vaginal or Penis Discharge
• Nausea
• Fever
• Lower back Pain
• Abdominal Pain
• Pain During Intercourse

Since many patients do not experience any symptoms from a chlamydia infection, they may be passing the disease on to others without even knowing that they are infected.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing chlamydia involves a sample swab of vaginal discharge in women or the urethra in men. A urine test may also be performed to detect a chlamydia infection. Since this disease often does not cause symptoms and may lead to serious complications if left untreated, patients at an increased risk should be screened on a regular basis.Prevention and early detection screening at Family Care Torrance is recommended for women under the age of 24, pregnant women, and men and women who have multiple sex partners and who do not always use a condom.

Complications

If left untreated, chlamydia may lead to serious reproductive and general health issues, including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and HIV. Complications are more common in women, although men may experience additional infections or arthritis as a result of an autoimmune reaction. These issues may develop without any signs or symptoms and can cause severe, permanent damage before patients or their doctor even realize that anything is wrong.

Treatment

Most cases of chlamydia can be easily cured through antibiotics such as Zithromax, doxycycline or erythromycin. These medications may be prescribed as a one-time dose or to be taken over the course of five to 10 days. In most patients, chlamydia infections will clear within one to two weeks.
Your partner should be treated for chlamydia as well, even if he or she does not exhibit any symptoms. It is important to not have sex until treatment is completed, in order to reduce the risk of transmitting the disease to your partner and becoming infected again. For women who are pregnant, a special antibiotic may be available to treat this infection.

Prevention

Like other STDs, the only surefire way to prevent chlamydia is to abstain from sexual contact or to be in a long-term, monogamous relationship with a partner that has been tested. Using condoms can help reduce the risk of developing chlamydia, while regular testing can help prevent you from spreading the disease unknowingly to your partner.