Symptoms Of Chlamydia – Indications If You are Infected

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), new STD cases are skyrocketing every day and the latest study shows nearly more than 1 million STDs are acquired every day across the world. What’s more interesting is that more than half of the newly reported cases come from teenagers and young adults who fall between the age group of 15 – 24 years.

In this article, we walk you through what is an STD, its types, and the most commonly reported STD – Chlamydia Symptoms and Treatment.

What is an STD?

STDs are a short form of Sexually Transmitted Diseases also known as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). These diseases are caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that spread from one partner to another during sexual intercourse.

Now talking about STDs the only disease that comes to our mind is HIV/AIDS – which is a deadly STD caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus which derails the immune system and causing an easy way for other harmful diseases to enter the human anatomy, resulting in severe illness and sometimes could be fatal. However, HIV is not the only STD or the most commonly reported disease lately. In fact, there are more than 20 different types of STDs. Chlamydia is topping the list as the most frequently reported STDs in the United States, according to CDC reports.

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia Trachomatis that causes various symptoms similar to Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and flu-like diseases. Chlamydia transmits through sexual intercourse, including oral and anal sex. Some people have a misconception that oral sex is safer than vaginal or anal sex, but oral sex is far more risker as the opening in the mouth like a small crack between the lips has a direct opening into our body, making it easier for the bacteria to manipulate and cause illness. Symptoms of Chlamydia around the mouth are termed “Oral Chlamydia”.

Symptoms of Chlamydia

Most Sexually Transmitted Diseases including Chlamydia don’t show any noticeable symptoms in the initial stage. You may appear to be healthy without any symptoms, but Chlamydia keeps a low profile and stays active. This is one of the most common causes of widespread STDs like Chlamydia. Partners do not know whether they are infected, thus acting as a carrier and transmitting the disease to every sex partner.

Some people may experience symptoms early and some may see them after a few weeks. Following are the 3 symptoms that indicate you are infected with Chlamydia –

1. Pain while urination

Sexually active men and women who have more than one sex partner and do not practice safe sex can get infected with Chlamydia easily. The bacteria that enter the urethra, causes infection in the urinary tract as the urine is salty in nature. Thus, pain while urinating or a sensation of burning while urinating is a sign of Chlamydia STD.

2. Genital discharge

Genital discharge is one of the most commonly reported symptoms. Both men and women experience a white/yellow/green color pus-like discharge from their genitals.

3. Sore throat

Sore throat is a very common sign of Oral Chlamydia. During oral sex, the bacteria doesn’t enter the genitals, rather, it invades the partner’s mouth while coming in contact with an infected person’s genitals. This causes sore throat and uncomfortableness while swallowing.

Can Chlamydia be Cured?

Yes! Unlike HIV or Herpes which has a virus as their causing agent, Chlamydia is caused by bacteria which can be terminated with the help of antibiotics and medications. It is important to know your symptoms and take necessary precautions if the situation gets worse. Consult your doctor or get tested for Chlamydia to get diagnosed at the right time.

What Happens if Chlamydia is Left Untreated?

Some people expect the symptoms to go away without any treatment. It is important to know that the Chlamydia bacteria which is alive inside the body needs to be killed with the help of medicinal drugs.

Untreated Chlamydia can lead to serious health conditions like infertility in men and women and Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases (PID) in women.

Conclusion

In the digital era, it is inevitable to fall into the trap of STDs as online dating and one-night stands are becoming more common and popular, especially among the younger generation. If you notice any unusual symptoms, get diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible to avoid long-term consequences.