Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Normally, it is transmitted through oral, vaginal, or anal sex. However, it can also be transmitted at birth, from an infected mother to the new born. Left untreated, chlamydial infections can cause health complications, such as infertility, other sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, prostate gland infection, or reactive arthritis. Because it can cause permanent damage, it's important to know how to treat chlamydia.
Steps
Step 1. Learn about the symptoms and telltale signs of chlamydia
- Often, in the early stages of the infection, visible signs are few or nonexistent. Symptoms usually begin to show within 1-3 weeks of infection.
- Secretions are a symptom. Women experience vaginal discharge, while men experience penile secretions.
- Pain when urinating or in the lower abdomen. In addition, the woman may feel pain during the sexual act. Man may experience pain in the testicles.
Step 2. Confirm the diagnosis of chlamydia
- Make an appointment with your doctor.
- Describe your symptoms and any signs to the doctor.
Step 3. Undergo medical tests
- If you are a woman, your doctor will give you an exam similar to a Pap smear. He will take a sample of the secretions from the cervix and send it to a laboratory for analysis.
- If you are a man, your doctor will insert a thin swab into the opening of your penis and take a sample of secretions from your urethra.
- If you've had oral or anal sex, your doctor will take a sample from your mouth or anus to test for chlamydia. Additionally, a urine sample may be required to detect any infection.
Step 4. Treat Chlamydia
As a rule, the infection goes away after 1 to 2 weeks.
- Take antibiotics, depending on the severity of the condition. Follow your doctor's directions carefully.
- Refrain from sexual intercourse and oral and anal sexual activities during treatment. To avoid a new infection or the risk of passing the disease to someone else, abstinence is required.
- Go back to your doctor to make sure the disease is gone.
- Approximately 3 months after your disease treatment ends, you may want to see your doctor again to make sure you are not infected yet. Normally this is useful when you are not sure which partner may have infected us.
