Chlamydia (Chlamydial Infection): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Chlamydia is a type of bacteria that can infect many living things. In humans, chlamydial infection mainly affects the mucous membranes. Eyes, genital area as well as respiratory tract can maintain serious disease consequences if infection occurs.

What is chlamydia infection?

There are three subtypes of chlamydia (chlamydial infection) that are relevant to the human organism: Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Chlamydophila psittaci, and Chlamydia trachomatis. The first and second subspecies are frequently associated with pneumonia and other respiratory infections. The third species acquires special importance because it not only causes conjunctivitis but also causes a genital disease that is widespread throughout Europe: chlamydial infection.

Causes

Chlamydia is transmissible by several routes. Up to ten percent of German women between the ages of 14 and 25 are infected with C. trachomatis, depending on the region, according to Welt online. This type of chlamydia infection is usually contracted through sexual contact. Here, the infection occurs through unprotected intercourse. The probability of contracting chlamydia increases with the number of sexual partners. Since many affected persons do not notice any symptoms, the spread continues. Another possible route of infection is droplet infection. All three subtypes mentioned can be transmitted this way. Contact with other people’s bodily secretions is often unintentional. Contact from a bacterially colonized finger to the eye is sufficient to produce conjunctivitis. Contaminated textiles or toilets can also be sources of infection. The expression of individual defenses favors or complicates the infection even after contact with chlamydia has occurred.

Symptoms, complaints, and signs

The first symptoms of a chlamydial infection occur after a period of about two to six weeks. Particularly in women, however, an illness with the pathogen can often be completely asymptomatic. Initially, there is pain and unpleasant itching, caused by inflammation in the genital area. In women and in men, this inflammation may rise in the course of the disease. In women, the first symptom is often urethritis. This is noticeable by pain during urination, frequent urination and purulent discharge. If the inflammation spreads further, it can lead to inflammation of the cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes. This often results in an unpleasant smelling discharge. The spreading inflammation can be accompanied by fever, diarrhea and pain in the lower abdomen. If the disease is not treated in time, there is a risk of infertility. The infection can also cause urethritis with the corresponding symptoms in men. If the inflammation continues to rise in them, inflammation of the epididymis and prostate follows. Children can also become infected with the pathogen during birth if the mother is already ill. Possible consequences in this case are chronic conjunctivitis, which without treatment can lead to blindness, or pneumonia.

Course

Chlamydia has different courses of disease depending on the region of the body that is infected. C. trachomatis, which is common in these latitudes and causes inflammation in the abdomen, is not noticeable for one to three weeks. Both men and women may experience a burning and stinging sensation when urinating. The symptoms of chlamydia infection are accompanied by itching of the genitals and purulent secretions. If the infection continues towards the uterus and fallopian tubes, the affected person may go through fever and abdominal pain. Untreated chlamydia in the female abdomen can result in sticky mucous membranes as a consequence of inflammation. This makes it difficult for the egg to be transported, and fertilized eggs also nest in the fallopian tube. Thus, infertility is a possible consequence. The probability of contracting the HIV virus increases due to adhesions caused by chlamydia infection.

Complications

If a chlamydial infection is detected and treated in time, complications are generally not expected. However, if the infection is not treated, women may develop severe pelvic inflammatory disease.Frequent complications of an untreated chlamydia infection are inflammation of the endometrium and the fallopian tubes. Acute pelvic inflammation is especially problematic for women who are planning a pregnancy. The inflammation can prevent a fertilized egg from passing through the fallopian tube into the uterus and implanting there. In severe cases, it can also cause adhesions that permanently impair fertility. Chlamydia infection is also problematic for women who are already pregnant. Premature labor or rupture of the membranes may occur more frequently. Premature births are also increasingly observed. In the case of an infestation of the urinary tract, in addition to a rupture of the bladder, great discomfort and burning pain during urination are to be expected. In men, an untreated chlamydia infection quite often leads to inflammation of the urethra. Patients then suffer from a strong urge to urinate and great pain when urinating. Often there is also a mucous discharge. A rare complication affecting mainly young men is Reiter’s disease. This is accompanied by extremely distressing symptoms. These include swollen foot and knee joints, urinary tract infections, eye inflammation, and eczema on the skin and mucous membranes.

When should you go to the doctor?

If symptoms occur after sexual intercourse, a doctor should always be consulted. Symptoms such as itching in the intimate area, problems with urination and skin changes indicate a chlamydia infection. For reasons of infection risk alone, this should be diagnosed and treated immediately. Other warning signs that must be clarified are pain in the genital area or at the anus, unusual discharge from the vagina or abdominal pain that occurs for no apparent reason. A visit to the doctor is also advisable if intermittent bleeding suddenly starts, menstruation is heavier than usual or other changes in menstruation are noticed. Medical clarification is necessary at the latest with symptoms of joint inflammation. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause severe symptoms and lead to blindness, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or premature birth, and arthritis, among other things. Immediate and comprehensive diagnosis is therefore necessary in any case. If symptoms are associated with unprotected sexual intercourse or contact with possibly infected humans or animals (especially parrots, cats, cattle, or sheep), immediate evaluation by a physician is required.

Treatment and therapy

The bacterial species of chlamydia is effectively treated with antibiotics. The difficulty of treatment is the diagnosis of chlamydial infection. Particularly in the genital area, symptoms that can subsequently be associated with chlamydia are rarely noticed (by 25% to 50% of infected individuals). This fact explains the high rate of spread, because before the infected person is aware of it, other people become infected. A blood test brings clarification. In order to protect newborns from chlamydia, every expectant mother is tested for chlamydia as part of the preventive medical checkups. If necessary, approved antibiotics may also be taken during pregnancy. Treatment for chlamydia infection lasts seven to ten days. Only the antibiotic azithromycin is exempt from this, because it works in a single dose. Conjunctivitis is additionally treated with eye ointment. Treatment of chlamydia can only be successful if all potential sources of infection are avoided. In the case of C. trachomatis, this means that all sexual partners should also be examined and treated at the same time. If this is not done, it is a matter of time before a new chlamydial infection is present.

Outlook and prognosis

If the affected person participates in preventive examinations or visits a doctor in good time after the onset of the first symptoms of a chlamydial infection, there is a good chance of a complete recovery without consequences. This usually occurs within a few weeks. Since the symptoms are often hardly noticed in everyday life, up to 20% of infected persons suffer from the disease for many years. According to statistics, many sufferers carry the disease for decades and do not experience any impairment of their well-being.Although there is no deterioration in health during this period, the pathogens are transmitted to other people during sexual contact. Sick people suffer from an increased risk of infection. If chlamydia is not noticed until late, there are usually sequelae with an uncertain outcome. Depending on the stage of the disease, there is a possibility of infertility and this condition is irreparable. In women, the risk of scarring and adhesions of the uterus or cervix increases. Surgical intervention is necessary, which is often associated with permanent infertility. If no treatment is sought, the risk of the pathogens entering the bloodstream increases. There they can lead to sepsis. This is associated with a life-threatening condition for the patient.

Prevention

Chlamydia manifests itself in the form of conjunctivitis and respiratory infections, among others. Those who knowingly interact with a chlamydia patient can take precautions. These include measures such as washing hands thoroughly, using disposable towels, and avoiding contact with foreign bodily secretions. General protective measures are similar to those used to prevent influenza illness. Excessive caution with regard to chlamydia is not necessary. Normal daily hygiene is considered sufficient to protect against chlamydial infection to the greatest extent possible. First and foremost, protected sexual intercourse prevents chlamydia in the genital area.

Follow-up

It is important that the prescribed medication is absolutely taken regularly and fully, as recommended by the doctor. This is the only way to safely fight the infection and prevent recurrence. If this is ensured, the chlamydia infection usually remains inconsequential and requires no further treatment. Inadequate treatment or lack of treatment can, under certain circumstances, result in infertility for both men and women. Nevertheless, follow-up care should include avoiding the so-called “ping-pong effect.” Ping-pong effect refers to the infection of other partners with whom sexual intercourse and intimacy were performed. These should be informed immediately about the dianosis of chlamydial infection and should themselves be examined for possible infection. It is recommended to inform all sexual partners of the last 60 days before diagnosis of the infection. In case of existing pregnancy, the unborn child should also be tested – there is a risk of infection. Regular gynecological and urological examinations and the use of condoms during sexual intercourse are an essential part of chlamydia follow-up care. Women with an unfulfilled desire to have children should inform their gynecologist in any case about the past chlamydia infection – it could be causative.

What you can do yourself

A chlamydia infection should be treated by a doctor with antibiotics because the infection, which usually starts with inflammation of the urethra, can otherwise spread to other organs very quickly. Chlamydia is not exclusively, but very often, transmitted during unprotected sexual intercourse. Condoms can protect against infection. The widespread serotype D-K of Chlamydia trachomatis primarily affects mucous membranes, not only in the genital area, but also in the mouth, throat and anus. Depending on which sexual practices are practiced, pharyngitis or rectal inflammation can occur. Condoms should therefore definitely also be used during oral or anal intercourse. Sufferers who are sexually active must assume that they have infected their partners. Sexual partners should therefore be informed about the disease so that they can be examined and take preventive measures to protect others. In couples, both partners should always have a medical examination, otherwise there is a risk of a ping-pong effect, i.e. repeated mutual infection. In the case of an infection of the urethra, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to flush out the pathogens. Women also often suffer from strong, unpleasant-smelling discharge. Lactic acid suppositories from the pharmacy can help the vaginal flora recover quickly and prevent secondary infections.