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Chlamydia – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Friday, February 09, 2018 by

Chlamydia, also known as chlamydia infection, is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, a pathogenic bacterium. One can catch this disease by having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex, though chlamydia is transmissible even without ejaculation. Touching infected genitalia can spread the bacteria as well. Moreover, pregnant women who haven’t been treated for Chlamydia can infect their babies during childbirth.

In the United States, chlamydia is the most common STI and can affect as many as 2.8 million individuals annually. As per EMedicineHealth.com, about five percent of the American adult population has chlamydia, while 10 percent of sexually active adolescent females are infected.

Known side effects of chlamydia

Chlamydia can infect both men and women, though the majority display no outward symptoms of having this condition. Of those that do, they will usually experience a wide array of symptoms within five to 10 days of infection, depending on their biological sex. For instance, women with chlamydia can undergo:

  • Abdominal pains or burning while urinating
  • Eye redness, swelling, irritation, pain, or discharge
  • Frequent urge to urinate
  • Low-grade fever
  • Nausea
  • Smelly, abnormal, yellow-colored vaginal discharge
  • Swelling around the anus or in the vagina
  • Vaginal bleeding in-between periods or after sex

On the other, men with chlamydia will often experience:

  • Burning pain while urinating
  • Pain in one or both of the testicles
  • Penile discharge that appears watery, milky, or pus-like
  • Testicle swelling

Body systems harmed by chlamydia

Chlamydia harms the sexual organs, and may cause permanent damage if no treatment is given.

For instance, women with this condition are at high risk of it spreading to their fallopian tubes and causing the condition pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The symptoms of this illness range from severe pelvic pain to nausea to abnormal vaginal bleed between periods. PID can seriously injure the fallopian tubes and uterus, as well as the surrounding tissues. Moreover, it can result in tubal factor infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and increases the chances of fatal ectopic pregnancy.

Women who’ve developed PID can acquire Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome, a rare disorder that leads to liver tissue becoming swollen.

Men with chlamydia can suffer from numerous complications as well. These include urethritis and epididymitis, or inflammation of the urethera and epidydymis, respectively.

Chlamydia can cause Reactive Arthritis, a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints of both men and women.

The eyes and respiratory systems of newborn babies can be compromised by chlamydia. Specifically, having chlamydia during pregnancy and birth can lead to newborns acquiring ophthalmia neonatorum (a neonatal infection and form of conjunctivitis) and pneumonia (an infection of the air sacs).

Food items or nutrients that may prevent chlamydia

There are certain foods and natural remedies that a person can take to help them get rid of chlamydia faster, and these are:

  • Garlic: Eating raw garlic cloves before and after meals can be useful for chlamydia. This is due to garlic having potent compounds with antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Be sure to eat only one to two cloves a day, as too much garlic can cause nausea and diarrhea.
  • Goldenseal: Berberine, a compound present in goldenseal, is known for having significant anti-microbial qualities that help the body fight against chlamydia.
  • Curd: The bacterial content of curd is the key to its usefulness against chlamydia. Having a diverse range of good bacteria can boost the immune system and strengthen the body against the infection.
  • Echinacea: In addition to its antiviral and antibacterial nature, echinacea can stimulate the immune system.

Treatments, management plans for chlamydia

Chlamydia is relatively easy to treat. As a bacterial disease, chlamydia is most often treated via the administration of antibiotics. Infected persons who are on an antibiotics course should abstain from any sexual activity for its duration and one week after the course has been concluded. Experiencing repeat chlamydia infections is common, so make it a point to go through a chlamydia screening if the symptoms begin to show again.

Chlamydia is preventable as well. The best way to avoid this disease is to use a latex condom during sexual intercourse. In case oral sex is occurring, then a dental dam may be worn to minimize the risk. Sexual contact with high-risk partners should be avoided entirely. Regular screening is recommended too.

Where to learn more

Summary

Chlamydia is a very common bacterial STI that is transmitted by having sexual intercourse with an infected person. Men and women alike can acquire chlamydia and experience a plethora of symptoms. These can range from vaginal or penile discharge to a frequent urge to urinate to low-grade fever. Chlamydia that has been left untreated can give rise to more serious complications that damage various organs and organ systems.

Preventing chlamydia can be accomplished by wearing a latex condom during intercourse and by staying away from high-risk partners.

Sources include:

CDC.gov

EMedicineHealth.com

Health.com

MedicalNewsToday.com

OrganicFacts.net



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