- MEDICINE ATHENS MED4WOMAN ATHENS
- MEDICINE VOLOS MED4WOMAN VOLOS
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Obstetrician Gynaecologist
Doctor of Medicine, University of Athens Medical School
Panagiotis Polyzos, Gynaecologist Obstetrician, is active at the Institute of Life - IVF Unit of Iaso Maternity Hospital.
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the microorganism Chlamydia trachomatis. In men, it typically infects the urethra and epididymis, while in women it affects the cervix and fallopian tubes. In newborns of infected mothers, it can infect the eyes and lungs. The high prevalence of this infection is due to the fact that it often presents without any noticeable symptoms. When sexual partners are not treated simultaneously, they can repeatedly reinfect each other.
You may not realize you have chlamydia, as many individuals do not show signs or symptoms such as genital pain or abnormal vaginal or penile discharge.
Chlamydia trachomatis most commonly affects young women, but the infection can occur in both men and women of all ages. It is not difficult to treat, but if left untreated, it can lead to more serious health problems.
Early-stage Chlamydia trachomatis infections often cause few or no signs and symptoms. Even when symptoms do appear, they are usually mild, making them easy to overlook.
Symptoms and signs of a Chlamydia trachomatis infection may include:
Chlamydia can also infect the rectum, either without noticeable symptoms or with rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding. Chlamydial eye infections (conjunctivitis) may also occur through contact with infected bodily fluids.
Visit your doctor if you experience discharge from the vagina, penis, or rectum, or if you have pain during urination. You should also see your doctor if you learn that your sexual partner has chlamydia. Your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic even if you do not have any symptoms.
The bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is most commonly transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. It is also possible for pregnant women to pass chlamydia to their babies during childbirth, causing pneumonia or a serious eye infection in newborns.
Factors that increase the risk of developing a Chlamydia trachomatis infection include:
Chlamydia trachomatis may be associated with:
Sexually active women aged 25 or younger. The rate of chlamydia infection is highest in this group, so an annual screening test is recommended. Even if you have been tested in the past year, get tested when you have a new sexual partner.
Pregnant woman. You should be tested for chlamydia during prenatal screening. If you are at high risk of infection — due to a change in sexual partner or a partner who may be infected — you should be tested again later in pregnancy.
Women and men at high risk. Individuals with multiple sexual partners, those who do not consistently use condoms, or men who have sex with men should consider frequent screening for chlamydia. Other high-risk indicators include an active sexually transmitted infection and possible exposure through an infected partner.
Screening and diagnosis for chlamydia are relatively simple. Tests include:
A urine test. A sample of your urine is analyzed in a laboratory to detect the infection.
Swabs of vaginal fluid. For women, a doctor takes a swab from the cervix to be cultured or tested for chlamydia antigen. This can be done during a routine Pap test.
Swabs for men. A thin swab is inserted into the tip of the penis to obtain a sample from the urethra. In some cases, the doctor may take a rectal swab.
If you have been treated for an initial chlamydia infection, you should be retested in about three months.
Chlamydia trachomatis infection is treated with antibiotics. You may receive a single dose or you may need to take the medication daily, or multiple times a day, for 5–10 days or longer.
In most cases, the infection clears within one to two weeks. During this time, you should avoid sexual intercourse. Your sexual partner or partners also need treatment even if they have no signs or symptoms. Otherwise, the infection may continue to be passed back and forth between partners.
Having chlamydia or having been treated for it in the past does not prevent you from becoming infected again.
In men, chlamydia usually does not present noticeable symptoms. In contrast, women may experience various discharges, discomfort, burning during urination, and vaginal pain. For this reason — and because symptoms tend to appear more clearly — women often realize something is wrong more quickly, making diagnosis relatively prompt.
Yes, chlamydia can be detected through a Pap test; however, a Pap smear is typically performed for broader cervical screening purposes. To learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of chlamydia, contact Dr. Polyzos today.
