Thursday, March 28, 2024

Once You Take The Antibiotics For Chlamydia Is It Gone

What Can Happen If Chlamydia Isnt Treated

Sneaky Chlamydia | Do You Have It & Not Know It?

Untreated chlamydia can put your health at risk. Make an appointment with your provider immediately if you notice any symptoms of chlamydia, and get regular STI screenings to avoid complications later.

Complications of chlamydia for people with vaginas

Untreated chlamydia can cause:

  • Pelvic inflammatory disease . PID is a serious condition that requires hospitalization. It can occur when an untreated STI, like chlamydia, damages your reproductive organs. PID can lead to infertility and chronic pelvic pain. It can also cause an ectopic pregnancy, which is life-threatening for the fetus and potentially deadly for the mother or gestational parent, too.
  • Pregnancy complications. An untreated infection can lead to pre-term delivery. Also, if youre pregnant and have chlamydia, you can pass the infection on to your newborn. Babies born with chlamydia may have pneumonia or conjunctivitis that could lead to blindness if not treated.

Complications of chlamydia for people with penises

Untreated chlamydia can cause:

  • Epididymitis. Infection can spread to the testicles and the tube that carries sperm to your testicles , causing symptoms like pain, swelling and tenderness in your testicles.
  • Reduced fertility. Chlamydia can harm your sperm, negatively impacting your ability to conceive.

Complications of chlamydia that can affect all genders

Untreated chlamydia can:

Chlamydia Can Return Even After Antibiotic Treatment Because It Survives In The Stomach

Chlamydia, the most common sexually transmitted infection and often a symptom-less one, can usually be treated with antibiotics effectively. But new research shows that oftentimes chlamydia can return with a vengeance, even after treatment.

Research out of the Arkansas Childrens Research Institute has found that if chlamydia survives in the persons stomach, even after it has been cleared away from the genitals by antibiotics, it can re-infect the person.

It is possible that women, cured of genital infection by antibiotics, remain infected in the gastrointestinal tract and can become re-infected by auto-inoculation from that site, Roger Rank, the lead author of the study, wrote.

In a small percentage of recurrent infections, Rank said, infection cannot be attributed to reinfection from a partner or treatment failure so it would appear that in these cases, the organism has remained persistent in the individual. Based on the studies in animals and the experimental mouse model studies and evidence for gastrointestinal infection in humans, we propose that chlamydiae shed in the GI tract may infect the genital tract via auto-inoculation.

How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed

The most common test for chlamydia is called a nucleic acid amplification test . Your provider takes a sample of fluid by doing a vaginal/cervical swab or collecting a urine sample. Then, they send the sample off to a lab to check for the bacteria that causes chlamydia. Your provider may do the test in an office, or they may ask you to do an at-home chlamydia test. Follow your providers instructions carefully to ensure you get accurate test results.

Because most chlamydia cases are asymptomatic, its important to get screened for chlamydia even if you dont notice any signs of infection. The CDC recommends that sexually active cisgender women who are high-risk for chlamydia get screened regularly. Women, more so than men, experience the most severe complications from chlamydia. Transgender men and nonbinary individuals with vaginas should be screened regularly, too, as they can experience the same complications of chlamydia.

Youre considered high-risk if you:

  • Have had chlamydia infections previously.

Cisgender men, or trans and nonbinary individuals with penises, should be screened for chlamydia if:

  • They live in a setting where chlamydia spreads frequently, like correctional facilities, adolescent clinics and sexual health clinics.
  • They have sex with other men.

Don’t Miss: Antibiotics For Nipple Piercing Infection

Taking The Incorrect Medication

Keep in mind that your treatment can fail if youâre taking the wrong medication. You might be prescribed the wrong drugs due to syndromatic treatment, an efficient, but sometimes inaccurate treatment method in which patients are prescribed STD treatment based on symptoms, rather than testing. This is sometimes done in STD clinics when there is a concern that the patient might not come back for their test results.

And you could be taking the wrong medication if youâve acquired it on your own and chose the wrong onessuch as taking medication that was prescribed for a past STD you had, or for your partner, or for a friend.

Not all STDs are caused by the same pathogens . Different illnesses require different treatments.

Thatâs why itâs so important for your healthcare provider to correctly identify whatâs causing your infection. Thatâs also why you canât just take any random antibiotic and hope itâs going to work.

How Long Does It Take To Show Up In People With Penises

STD Testing San Diego, CA Starting from $14

Theres no significant difference in the amount of time it takes for chlamydia symptoms to show up for people with penises as compared to people with vulvas.

The only major difference in the time it takes for symptoms to show up among people of various sexes may be related to how often symptoms show up.

According to the Childrens National Health System, 90 percent of people with vulvas dont ever experience any physical symptoms, while 70 percent of people with penises never notice any symptoms.

This difference in who actually experiences symptoms between these two groups may have some effect on how long it takes for symptoms show up. But theres never been any definitive link between your sex and when your symptoms appear.

Recommended Reading: What Antibiotic Is Used For Tooth Pain

How Quickly Do Symptoms Show

In many cases, chlamydia symptoms do not show up at all, making it possible for the infection to lie dormant in the body and cause long-term side effects when not treated.

If someone with chlamydia does experience symptoms, the time it takes for them to show up may vary.

For most people, though, it takes about 7-21 days after having unprotected sex with an infected partner. However, it can take longer.

When To See A Doctor

The short answer here is that as soon as symptoms arise or if you have had sexual intercourse recently with someone who a healthcare provider has diagnosed with chlamydia. Symptoms of chlamydia vary from person to person and between men and women. Even if a woman with chlamydia shows no symptoms, it is essential to remember that it can damage their reproductive system. Women who show signs of chlamydia may notice the following:

  • An abnormal vaginal discharge and
  • A burning sensation when urinating.

For men, symptoms include:

  • A burning sensation during urination and,
  • Pain and or swelling in one or both testicles.

Symptoms of this include:

  • A discharge from the area and

It is essential to see your healthcare provider if you notice any of the above symptoms. You should also contact your provider if your partner shows other common STD symptoms, including:

  • An unusual or new sore around the genitals,
  • A smelly discharge,
  • A burning sensation while urinating or
  • Bleeding between periods for women.

You May Like: Out Of Pocket Cost For Antibiotics

What Are The Risks Of Chlamydia Infection

Untreated chlamydia can lead to many serious health conditions.

Women can develop pelvic inflammatory disease. This can lead to pelvic pain, complications with pregnancy, and fertility difficulties. Sometimes women become infertile from the effects of untreated chlamydia.

Men may develop inflammation of their testicles from untreated chlamydia and may also experience fertility issues.

Babies who acquire chlamydia during childbirth can develop pink eye and pneumonia. Its important for women to be treated for chlamydia during pregnancy to avoid spreading it to an infant.

Sexual behavior of any kind puts you at risk of contracting chlamydia. Some ways to reduce your chances of getting chlamydia include:

  • refraining from sexual activity

Parents Have A Role In Chlamydia Prevention

What Is Chlamydia Symptoms and Treatment

Parents can do two main things to help their kids avoid getting chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections , says Dombrowski. These two things are:

  • Talk openly. Parents can start by talking with their kids about sex and sexual health early, giving the kids accurate information she says. When having these conversations, dont try to frighten children into practicing abstinence or safe sex. Its pretty common for parents to use STIs to talk about what can happen if you have sex or unprotected sex. But using STIs as a scare tactic is not effective, she says. It just makes the kids feel more frightened, more stigmatized, and terrible if they really do get one.
  • Ensure access to condoms. Parents are often focused on preventing pregnancy, says Dombrowski, which can be achieved with various contraceptives besides condoms. Parents should also think about kids having access to condoms for the prevention of chlamydia and other STIs, she says. Parents can leave condoms lying around where kids will find them, without saying much of anything about the condoms, she suggests.
  • Also Check: Can I Get Antibiotics For Uti Without Seeing A Doctor

    How To Help Partners Get Treatment

    If you are not sure whether your sexual partner will seek treatment, ask your doctor for extra chlamydia medication . You can give it to them so they can be treated as soon as possible.

    This is known as patient delivered partner therapy for chlamydia. Talk to your doctor to see if PDPT is right for you and your sexual partner.

    How Long After Treatment Can I Have Sex Again

    You should avoid being sexually active during treatment for chlamydia because you can still pass the infection to your sex partner during this time, even if you have no symptoms.

    How long you should wait to have sex depends on the antibiotic you take.

    If your doctor prescribes a single dose of antibiotics, wait until seven days after taking it. If you take a multi-dose antibiotic, wait until youve taken the full course of medication .

    Because it is somewhat common to get a repeat infection of chlamydia, its a good idea to be tested for it again about three months after treatment.

    You May Like: Chlamydia Treatment 4 Pills At Once

    Read Also: Antibiotic For Mono And Strep

    Can You Get Chlamydia More Than Once

    Yes, you can get the infection even if youve successfully treated it already.

    A sexual partner who has chlamydia can transmit it to you again, even if youve already had it and treated it.

    You can also get chlamydia again if it wasnt fully treated the first time. This can happen if you stop taking the necessary treatment. Its important to complete the antibiotics youve been given, even if your symptoms get better.

    The CDC recommends getting tested 3 months after treatment of your initial infection to ensure the infection is cleared.

    Donât Miss: How Long Before Chlamydia Turns Into Hiv

    How Will I Know If I Have Chlamydia

    Zpack For Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

    You can only be certain you have chlamydia if you have a test.

    Anyone can get chlamydia. Youre more likely to have it if youre under 25, have a new sexual partner, or more than one sexual partner in the last year, and if you havent used condoms.

    You should have a test if:

    • you, or a partner, have or think you might have symptoms
    • youve recently had sex without a condom with a new partner
    • you, or a partner, have had sex without a condom with other partners
    • during a vaginal examination, your doctor or nurse says that the cervix is inflamed and/or theres an unusual discharge
    • a sexual partner tells you they have a sexually transmitted infection
    • you have another STI.

    If you live in England, and youre a woman who is under 25 and sexually active, its recommended that you have a chlamydia test when you change sexual partner and once a year.

    If youre a man who is under 25 and sexually active, its recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year if you are not using condoms with new or casual partners.

    You could still have chlamydia even if a partner has tested negative. The only way to make sure you dont have chlamydia is to get tested yourself.

    If you have chlamydia, youll be encouraged to be tested for other STIs as you can have more than one STI at the same time.

    Also Check: Best Antibiotic To Treat Bladder Infection

    How Does Chlamydia Spread

    Chlamydia is spread when a person has unprotected sex with an infected person.

    Because chlamydial infection often has no symptoms, many people do not realise they have the infection.

    Even if you know a person well, you may not be able to tell they have an STI, because people can look healthy and still have chlamydia.

    Remember, you can get chlamydia and other STIs from a new sexual partner who has in the past had sex with someone who is infected.

    It can also be spread from a long-term partner who has had sex with other people.

    Where Can I Get A Test

    There are a number of services you can go to. Choose the one you feel most comfortable with.

    A chlamydia test can be done at:

    • a genitourinary medicine or sexual health clinic
    • your general practice
    • contraception and young peoples clinics
    • some pharmacies.

    Abortion clinics, antenatal services and some gynaecology services may also offer a chlamydia test.

    In England, if youre a woman aged under 25 years old, you may be offered a chlamydia test as part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme when you visit some service for other reasons, for example at a pharmacy or your GP.

    The NCSP aims to identify people without symptoms to reduce the complications of untreated infection. If chlamydia is not treated, it can cause health complications, especially in women. Untreated chlamydia in women can cause pain in the pelvis, ectopic pregnancy and infertility .

    If you are a woman aged under 25 years old and you are offered a chlamydia test as part of the NCSP you should consider taking it.

    In many areas, free home self-sampling tests for chlamydia are available to order online. This is where you take your own sample and send it to be tested. See www.nhs.uk

    Its also possible to buy a chlamydia test to do at home. The accuracy of these tests varies. Some types are very accurate when carried out according to the instructions, others can be less reliable. If you buy a testing kit make sure you get advice from a pharmacist or your doctor.

    Read Also: Can Your Doctor Prescribe Antibiotics Over The Phone

    My Symptoms Havent Cleared

    There are several possible explanations. The symptoms could have a cause other than chlamydia. You can have more than one sexually transmitted infection at the same time, so you will need to be tested for other infections. There are also non-STI causes such as a lower urinary tract infection or, in women, endometriosis. You may have been re-infected with chlamydia if you had unprotected sex with an infected or partially treated partner. Rarely, the infection is resistant to a particular antibiotic treatment and therefore does not clear. Your GP or local GUM clinic would be able to help work out what is happening.

    You may need a repeat chlamydia test .

    How Accurate Are The Tests

    Can You Stop Your Bipolar Medication? â Maybe Hereâs How

    The accuracy of a chlamydia test depends on the kind of test used and the type of sample thats collected. The recommended tests are over 95% accurate in picking up chlamydia. As no test is 100% accurate theres a small chance that the test will give a negative result when you do have chlamydia. This is known as a false negative result. This can sometimes explain why you might get a different result from another test or why you and a partner might get a different test result.

    Its possible for the test to be positive if you havent got chlamydia, but this is rare.

    Also Check: Antibiotics To Treat Staph Infection

    Can Chlamydia Kill You

    As already mentioned before, this infection won`t cause any issues if treated right away. However, if it`s left untreated, it may lead to severe problems, especially when talking about women:

    • It the infection spreads, it may cause PID. This severe medical condition might make it difficult or even impossible for a woman to conceive.
    • Expecting mothers who experience this infection frequently pass it to their own future babies during delivery. If the condition gets in the eyes of the child, it may lead to blindness. Babies can have other issues, such as pneumonia, which can become deadly in a infant.
    • Having this particular infection makes anyone a lot more likely in getting HIV from other persons who are infected with HIV. This virus causes AIDS.

    Prevention And Treatment: Does Chlamydia Go Away For Good

    If you are still worried about whether Chlamydia can be treated or not then here is one important news for you. Chlamydia can be easily cured with fixed dose of oral pills. But note that, as many people are not able to find any symptom of Chlamydia disease in their body so it is left untreated in most of the cases hence, the level of complications keep on increasing. If you want to stay safe then best trick is to go for routine check up.

    Note that, risks of Chlamydia disease usually increases if you use to have sex with more than one partner. As this disease keep on continuing without symptoms so it gets easily transmitted from one unaware person to another unaware person. Condoms are most essential element to stop spreading the viruses.

    Once you come to know about the presence of Chlamydia bacterium then prefer to visit doctor as soon as possible, it can be treated with antibiotics in babies, males as well as females. During treatment, you need to avoid sex till the time your doctors recommends it again.

    Also Check: What Antibiotics Can Dogs Take For Ear Infections

    Does Azithromycin Cure Chlamydia

    Cure rates of 97% were reported in an analysis of 12 randomized clinical trials that investigated the use of azithromycin 1 gram for the treatment of chlamydia. That means for every 100 people with chlamydia who take azithromycin, 97 will be cured and 3 will not be cured.

    This relies on the person with chlamydia taking azithromycin exactly as directed and not sharing the medication with anyone. Any sexual partners must be also treated.

    Although azithromycin cures chlamydia in most people, it will not repair any permanent damage done to tissues by the disease.

    If you have been symptomatic with chlamydia before treatment and your symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment, then ask to be re-evaluated by your health care provider.

    Unfortunately, repeat infection with chlamydia is common. This means that even though azithromycin has cured your current infection with chlamydia, this does not mean you will not get chlamydia again. If your sexual partners have not been appropriately treated, you are at high-risk for reinfection. Having chlamydia multiple times puts women at high risk of fertility problems, ectopic pregnancy, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Infants born to mothers who are infected with chlamydia may develop chlamydial conjunctivitis and/or pneumonia. Chlamydial infection in infants can be treated with antibiotics.

    Popular Articles
    Related news