A chlamydia infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Its symptoms differ between men and women, but it can also be asymptomatic. We explain what complications can result and what kind of treatment helps.
Chlamydia are bacteria. There are different types of chlamydia that lead to different diseases in humans. However, those who “have chlamydia” usually mean the venereal disease – an infection of the urinary tract and sex organs with chlamydia trachomatis. An infection with chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases worldwide.
The most typical symptoms of an infection with chlamydia are discharge, burning when urinating and genital itching. However, the symptoms are often very slight or go completely unnoticed. When noticeable, then usually 2-6 weeks after the infection. The symptoms differ between men and women.
In women, a chlamydia infection usually leads to inflammation of the urethra (urethritis) or the cervix (cervicitis). Indications of an infection are:
Other possible symptoms of a chlamydia infection in women are:
Lower abdominal pain, genital itching, pain during sexual intercourse, anal discharge
The first sign of a chlamydia infection in men is an inflamed urethra (urethritis). This is shown by:
Other possible symptoms of a chlamydia infection in men are:
Pain during sexual intercourse, pain in the testicles, anal discharge
In men and women, chlamydia can also enter the rectum through anal sex, which can lead to rectal inflammation (proctitis). Many patients don’t notice this as they don’t experience any symptoms. Others record symptoms such as anal discharge, anal itching or blood in the stool.
Oral sex can lead to pharyngitis caused by chlamydia. This is indicated by pain when swallowing and a sore throat. In some cases, chlamydia also affect the mucous membranes of the eyes and cause conjunctivitis.
According to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), about 70% of women and 30% of men develop a chlamydia infection with only minor symptoms or none at all. The medical term for this is an asymptomatic infection. Since many of those affected experience hardly any or no symptoms, there’s a risk that the infection remains undetected and thus untreated for years. This can lead to serious consequences.
In women, an undetected infection can cause bacteria to spread to the fallopian tubes and ovaries. The result is an inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries (adnexitis) or pelvic inflammatory disease. In severe cases, patients face the risk of serious long-term consequences, including chronic lower abdominal pain and infertility. Experts estimate that every second case of involuntary childlessness is due to a chlamydia infection. In addition, if a woman does become pregnant, the risk of the fertilised egg implanting outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy) increases.
In men, the bacteria can move up to the prostate and into the testicles and epididymis, resulting in an inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis), testicles and epididymis (orchitis and epididymitis). Infertility is a possible consequence.
If you suspect you have chlamydia, you can go to your gynaecologist or urologist who will then perform a smear test. For women, this is a smear test of the cervix, and for men, a smear test of the urethra. The smear is then sent to the laboratory where analysts can determine the presence of an infection with chlamydia trachomatis.
Chlamydia tests that have been developed for people to use at home are now available in pharmacies or on the internet. However, because the results of such tests are not reliable, it’s preferable to get tested by a doctor.
A chlamydia infection is treated with antibiotics. The therapy lasts one to 14 days, depending on the antibiotic. To avoid the ping-pong effect of a renewed infection after the treatment is completed, the patient’s partner should also be included in the treatment.
There are no universally valid guidelines for this because the treatment takes different lengths of time depending on the medication. Taking another test will put you on the safe side.
The main cause of a chlamydia infection is unprotected sexual intercourse, but there are others too.
Normally not, because chlamydia aren't found in saliva. However, there’s a slight possibility of throat-to-throat transmission when tongue-kissing. A chlamydia infection in the throat usually heals on its own without any symptoms.
Infection of the sex organs via the water in a swimming pool is highly unlikely unless direct mucosal contact occurs through penetration. What you can pick up in a swimming pool, however, is bacterial conjunctivitis caused by chlamydia, also called swimming pool conjunctivitis.
Seek the advice of a doctor in the following cases:
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