|
| |
|
|
Where does it come from? |
| ~ |
it comes from a germ or bacterium called ‘chlamydia trachomatis’ |
|
How do I get it? |
| ~ |
it is sexually transmitted |
|
How long does it take to show? |
| ~ |
usually about 1-2 weeks |
| ~ |
but it can lie dormant (sleeping), causing no problems and showing no signs for many years – in both men and women |
|
What might I notice? |
|
Women |
| ~ |
vaginal discharge |
| ~ |
pain on passing urine |
| ~ |
abdominal pain |
| ~ |
pain during sex |
| ~ |
bleeding between periods |
| ~ |
heavier than usual periods |
| ~ |
bleeding after sex |
| ~ |
stomach / lower back pain or cramps |
| ~ |
70 % of women have no symptoms |
|
Men |
| ~ |
discharge from the tip of the penis |
| ~ |
pain on passing urine |
| ~ |
itching around the opening of the penis |
| ~ |
pain or swelling of the testicles |
| ~ |
25 % of men have no symptoms |
|
Babies |
| ~ |
babies can contract it from the mother, during vaginal delivery |
| ~ |
it shows as ‘sticky eye’ and conjunctivitis (inflammation of the white area of the eye) |
| ~ |
this has become more common and the detection of Chlamydia is improving |
|
What tests should I have? |
| ~ |
special ‘swab’ test’ but it takes 1-2 weeks for the results to grow and show in the laboratory, hence the delay |
|
What treatment is there? |
| ~ |
antibiotics – the course must be completed and no alcohol taken whilst on this treatment – they don’t mix and would probably make you sick |
|
What do I do after I finish the treatment? |
| ~ |
your doctor / GUM Clinic may suggest you return to see them |
| ~ |
be advised by whoever treats you |
|
What about my partner? |
| ~ |
your partner(s) should be checked for any infections at a GUM Clinic, as soon as possible and be treated |
|
What about sex? |
| ~ |
you should have no oral or penetrative sex for two weeks, until all the Chlamydia has been cleared and until you have been re-checked or given the okay by the doctor treating you |
| ~ |
even sex with a condom is unacceptable in case of failure or from the germ also being present in the bladder, throat etc |
|
What complications can come from having Chlamydia? |
|
Women |
| ~ |
if left untreated the fallopian tubes may become inflamed and blocked, the ovaries and womb may become involved causing abdominal pain – leaving pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) |
| ~ |
there may be increased danger of infertility (being unable to have a baby) |
|
Men |
| ~ |
the tubes in the testicles can become inflamed, scarred or blocked – which may increase the risk of infertility |
|
How can I avoid getting Chlamydia? |
| ~ |
the use of condoms may help to prevent recurrence |
|
|
