Chlamydia is a commonly occurring sexually transmitted bacterial infection. The condition generally occurs in people aged between 15-24 years due to unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex or sharing of sex toys. It can remain undiagnosed due to the absence of any detectable symptoms leading to complications later in life.

The prime cause of Chlamydia is the lack of using a condom during sexual activities which trigger the spread of a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. In case of direct contact with infected vaginal fluids or semen, the bacteria spreads. The infection can also occur due to direct contact with infected genitals even in the case of a lack of penetration, orgasm or ejaculation.

Although Chlamydia occurs without any symptoms, there are some low-key signs you can watch out for if you are sexually active or have indulged in unprotected sex.

a. Symptoms in men include:

• Pain, itching or swelling in the testicles
• Burning feeling when peeing
• A green or yellow coloured watery discharge from the penis
• An abnormal discharge, pain, inflammation or swelling in the anus

b. Symptoms in women include:

• Unusually increased vaginal discharge or bleeding
• Disturbed and unnatural blood loss during the menstrual cycle
• Bleeding between period cycles
• Pain or bleeding during sex
• Abdominal pain
• Inflamed urination

The test to check for Chlamydia involves urine or a swab test to check for any unnatural discharge, sores, or spots relating to the infection. You can get this test done for free in a sexual health clinic, a GP surgery or a Genitourinary medicine clinic. Apart from these professionally assisted tests, you can also place an online order for a Chlamydia test kit at home and used by taking a urine sample in men and a self-conducted vaginal swab by women. You need to post these samples to the lab for diagnosis and wait for the results mailed back to you.

Medicines

Chlamydia can be easily cured if treated early on with antibiotics such as:

• Azithromycin is prescribed in a single one-off dose to be taken every day for a week.
• Doxycycline, the dosage of this 100 mg antibiotic is two tablets per day for seven consecutive days.

While taking these antibiotics and till the time the infection gets cured, you must refrain from indulging in any form of sexual activity. If you are under 25 years old, get yourself re-diagnosed for this bacterial infection three months after the current treatment gets finished.

Home remedies

• Using Goldenseal, a medicinal plant that reduces inflammation in the genitals.
• Echinacea is another popular plant-based home remedy that mainly assists in boosting the immune system to reduce the symptoms of the infection.

These home treatment options, though not as effective in the treatment of Chlamydia, can help ease the symptoms so that you can seek medical help.

The easiest and most effective way of preventing the spread of Chlamydia is to cater to condoms while indulging in vaginal, anal and even oral sexual activity. Protected sex helps stop the spread of the bacteria from the infected partner to you. Another way to take precautions and avoid contracting this infectious condition is by shunning the sharing of sex toys with multiple partners. If you are a young adult who is sexually active, get tested for Chlamydia and other STIs routinely.

If you have become infected with Chlamydia, the ideal procedure would be to ensure that it does not spread from you while you are getting diagnosed and treated. Ways to ensure that you do not spread the bacteria include:

• Inform all your sexual partners about your condition and make sure that they get themselves tested promptly.
• Abstain from any form of sexual activity for at least a week or two after beginning the treatment.
• All of your recent sex partners must get themselves tested and treated before they carry on their regular sex lives.
• Above all else, use protection every time even after treatment.

In cases where the lack of symptoms has delayed the treatment to cure the condition, Chlamydia can cause lasting health problems in both men and women. Some of these complications are listed below.

a. In females

• Development of a painful infection called PID that harms the uterus, cervix and ovaries.
• The scarring of the fallopian tubes due to Chlamydia can lead to infertility.
• Eye infections and pneumonia in newborns due to mothers who are suffering from Chlamydia.

b. In males

• Untreated Chlamydia in men can lead to epididymitis, a condition that leads to pain and inflammation in the testicular tube.
• Spreading of the infection to the prostate gland triggers fever, pain during intercourse and lower backache.
• The triggering of male chlamydial urethritis.

Like all other medications, the antibiotics that help in the treatment of Chlamydia can also cause some minor side effects, including an unsettled stomach, nausea, light sensitivity, and diarrhoea. Apart from these common side effects, a person unsuited for these antibiotics can also face Benign Intracranial Hypertension (BIH) which could lead to blurred vision and headache.

1. Is Chlamydia more common in men or women?

No, both men and women are equally at risk of contracting Chlamydia due to unprotected sexual intercourse. 

2. How long does Chlamydia treatment take to work?

The usual prescribed dosage of the antibiotics for the treatment of Chlamydia is seven days, i.e. a week. In case the symptoms still persist, your doctor may recommend going for another week of medication. 

3. Can I be re-infected with Chlamydia?

Yes, if you have already suffered from this bacterial infection, chances exist that you might catch it again if you take part in unprotected sex after treatment. The ideal solution is to schedule an annual diagnosis of yourself if you are sexually active.

4. Can Chlamydia come back on its own?

No, the bacteria cannot spread on its own without a proper transmission channel. So you will only contract the condition if you happen to be involved in an episode of unprotected sex with an infected partner. 

6. Does Chlamydia have a smell?

The condition in itself does not lead to any foul smell. But the symptoms and complications that occur to the prolonged lack of treatment, like abnormal fluid discharge from the genitals, can trigger funny smells.  

7. How long does Chlamydia last?

If you do not get it treated on time, the bacterial infection of Chlamydia can last long enough to cause other complications in the body and affect your genital health in the long run. With proper treatment and medication, you can cure it in a week. 

8. Can you get Chlamydia non-sexually?

No, the sexual transmission of the bacteria responsible for the disease is the only cause. But remember that unprotected oral sex can also spread the infection. 

9. Does Chlamydia turn into syphilis?

No, even untreated Chlamydia cannot turn into syphilis.

10. What colour discharge is Chlamydia?

Among the various symptoms of complications due to Chlamydia, the colouring of the genital discharge in both men and women is a common one. The colour of it varies from patient to patient, but any abnormal discharge is a sign of the infection. Commonly, it could be green or yellow. 

11. Is your pee cloudy when you have Chlamydia?

Yes, prolonged untreated Chlamydia can turn your urine cloudy. 

12. Can you catch Chlamydia from kissing?

No, it cannot spread from any other form of contact apart from unprotected exposure to the affected genital. So kissing cannot spread Chlamydia. 

13. Can you test positive for Chlamydia and your partner negative?

Yes, in many cases, one partner can contract the infection while the other tests negative. That is mainly based on luck and taking into account the other risk factors associated with Chlamydia. 

14. Why do I still have Chlamydia symptoms after treatment?

Even after the week-long medication, you might incur some of the symptoms of the disease since the antibiotic prescribed to you might take some time to work its way. Be patient and attentive, take all the medicines without missing a day, and get medical attention if it does not get better in another week. 

15. Can Chlamydia make you lose weight?

Not directly. The series of complications due to Chlamydia such as backache, flu, diarrhoea and others, combined over a period of time, can lead to weight loss. 

16. Do condoms stop Chlamydia?

Yes, an efficient way to prevent the spread of STIs due to genital fluids such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea is the regular use of condoms and other latex protection equipment. 

17. Can Chlamydia make your hair fall out?

The condition itself does not lead to hair loss, but the antibiotics used in its treatment can cause your hair to fall out. 

18. What happens if you don't wait seven days after treatment for Chlamydia?

The seven days post-treatment are crucial for your body to completely eliminate the bacteria and heal any genital damage due to the symptoms. If you do not wait for this time and indulge in sexual intercourse, your partner could risk contracting the infection. 

19. Can you get pregnant if you had Chlamydia?

Yes, it is possible to conceive even while suffering from Chlamydia. But to avoid harming your fertility or the health of your baby in the long run, you need to ensure that the infection gets treated effectively, and there are no recurrences in the future.  

20. Can Chlamydia kill a baby?

Miscarriages can occur if the infection due to Chlamydia does not get treated in time. The reason for the miscarriage is improper implanting of the fertilized egg in the fallopian tube or the abdomen, instead of the uterus.