What is Chlamydia | Definition Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by bacteria called Chlamydiatrachomatis. It can infect both men and women. Women can get chlamydia in the cervix, rectum, or throat. Men can get chlamydia in the urethra (inside the penis), rectum, or throat. One can contract chlamydia during oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone who has the infection.
A woman can also pass chlamydia to her baby during childbirth. If one had chlamydia and were treated in the past, you can get re-infected if you have unprotected sex with someone who has it. This type of STD is most common in young people, especially young women. A person is at risk of getting this infection if he/she doesn’t consistently use a condom, during sex with multiple partners.
Chlamydia Cause
This type of STD is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. It is an infection with the bacteria known as Chlamydia trachomatis. This infection can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes in a woman and can lead to future infertility and increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Chlamydia Test
The proper test for this condition is a urine test. it is mainly conducted by taking a sample of your urine analyzed in the laboratory. From there you may know the presence of this infection. However, in most cases for women, your doctor takes a swab of the discharge from your cervix for culture or antigen testing for chlamydia. This can be done during a routine Pap test
Chlamydia In Women
For women, this type of STD attacks the Vagina, cervix, rectum or throat. This type of infection in most young women in the USA.
Chlamydia Signs and Symptoms In Women
The following are the signs and symptoms that appear on women who are infected:
- Abnormal vaginal discharge that may have an odor.
- Bleeding between periods.
- Painful periods.
- Abdominal pain with fever.
- Pain when having sex.
- Itching or burning in or around the vagina.
- Pain when urinating.
Chlamydia In Men
When symptoms do occur in men, they may include a thick, yellow-white, milky or watery discharge from the penis and/or a burning sensation during urination. Pain and swelling in the testes may also occur, although such symptoms are less common.
Chlamydia Signs and Symptoms In Men
- Small amounts of clear or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis.
- Painful urination.
- Burning and itching around the opening of the penis.
- Pain and swelling around the testicles.
Chlamydia Trachomatis
This is the bacterium that can replicate only in human cells. It causes chlamydia, which can manifest in various ways, including trachoma, lymphogranuloma venereum, nongonococcal urethritis, cervicitis, salpingitis, pelvic inflammatory disease.
Chlamydia Pneumoniae
Chlamydia pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that causes respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia (lung infection). The bacteria cause illness by damaging the lining of the respiratory tract including the throat, windpipe, and lungs. Some people may become infected and have mild or no symptoms.
Chlamydia In Throat
It’s also possible to get a chlamydia infection in the anus. In this case, the main symptoms are often discharge, pain, and bleeding from this area. Having oral sex with someone who has the infection raises the risk of getting chlamydia in the throat. Symptoms can include a sore throat, cough, or fever.
Chlamydia Medication
The best medication for this type of STD include:
- azithromycin – given as 2 or 4 tablets at once.
- doxycycline – given as 2 capsules a day for a week.
Chlamydia Treatment
If one is diagnosed with chlamydia, your doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics. A single dose of azithromycin or taking doxycycline twice daily for 7 to 14 days are the most common treatments and are the same for those with or without HIV. With treatment, the infection should clear up in about a week
Chlamydia Prevention
The best Prevention Practices against this infection include the Following:
- Use condoms. Use a male latex condom or a female polyurethane condom during each sexual contact.
- Limit your number of sex partners. Having multiple sex partners puts you at a high risk of contracting chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections.
- Get regular screenings.
- Avoid douching.
Chlamydia Natural Remedies
- Garlic
Garlic has a number of proven health benefits and has been a popular home remedy for centuries. It contains active compounds, such as allicin, which have been shown to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. There is evidence that garlic does kill some bacteria, but not the bacteria that causes chlamydia.
Garlic does have proven antifungal properties and has been shown to fight the growth of yeast, which may make it beneficial during antibiotic treatment for chlamydia. Antibiotics increase the risk of yeast infections.Shop for garlic online.
- Echinacea
Echinacea is used as a home remedy for a few conditions, but is best known as a natural cold and flu remedy. Echinacea extract has been shown to boost immunity and help fight certain bacterial and viral infections. A small 2017 study showed echinacea can help pain and inflammation in people with knee osteoarthritis.
While this might help relieve some of the symptoms of chlamydia, there is no evidence that it can treat the infection. If you choose to use echinacea to calm your symptoms, do it in conjunction with the antibiotics.
- Goldenseal
Goldenseal appears to be a home remedy for all that ails you. There are claims that it can treat a number of conditions, including upper respiratory infections, canker sores. There are even some claims that goldenseal might treat STIs, including gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Lab studies conducted in 2011 found some evidence of goldenseal’s antibacterial properties, but none confirming it as a cure for any STI, including chlamydia.
- Turmeric
Turmeric has been shown to provide numerous health benefits. Curcumin, a plant chemical in turmeric, has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
A 2008 study found that a topical cream containing curcumin and three other plant compounds had effects on chlamydia in lab tests. While promising, there isn’t yet enough evidence to support turmeric as a cure for chlamydia. It might be a good choice to add to antibiotic treatment.
Turmeric’s natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties do offer other health benefits and are safe for most people in the right dosage.
- Olive tree extract
Oleuropein, the major phenolic compound in olive tree extract, is known for its pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities. It’s even been shown to have an anti-cancer effect.
With so many health effects, it’s not surprising it might be considered an effective home remedy for chlamydia. While there is no evidence to support olive tree extract as a way to cure chlamydia, many other proven health benefits that make it worth taking.
Olive tree extract is also called olive leaf extract. It’s available in capsule form online and in health food stores. You can enjoy similar health benefits from eating olives and olive oil.