{"id":3954,"date":"2019-02-18T06:11:46","date_gmt":"2019-02-18T06:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=3954"},"modified":"2021-05-27T13:28:10","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T13:28:10","slug":"15-signs-that-you-have-contracted-chlamydia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-signs-that-you-have-contracted-chlamydia\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Signs that you have Contracted Chlamydia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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It can be difficult to know you have chlamydia because symptoms are not always present.\u00a0 But it is one of the most popular STD\u2019s in the United States, so it is good to be aware of the symptoms, and simply its presence in the dating pool.\u00a0 Medical professionals say that seventy-five percent of cases in women have zero symptoms, and fifty percent in men.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A doctor can check for sure by taking a sample from the genitals or urine and sending it to a lab to be tested.  It is a pretty easy test.  Treatment would include a prescription for an antibiotic to kill the bacteria.  The antibiotics azithromycin or doxycycline are usually used.  It clears in about a week, after treatment initiation.  If it has progressed badly, hospitalization may be required.  Treatment is the same, however.  It is important to retest after treatment to ensure you no longer have the infection.  Here are eight signs you have contracted chlamydia:
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1. Abnormal, clear or cloudy discharge
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This is the case for both men and women; if you are noticing this, and you have been sexually active in the prior six months, you might want to consider scheduling an appointment for STD <\/a>testing at your local doctor\u2019s office, OB\/GYN (obstetrician\/ gynecologist), or Planned Parenthood location.  If it is not an STD, then at least you will be one step closer to finding out what is causing this abnormality.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it is an STD, such as Chlamydia, then you will be that much closer at getting treatment and avoiding the rest of this list of symptoms.  Typically, it is not a lot of discharge, rather a small amount that might take a week to really become aware of.  It may be clear and viscous or cloudy viscus.  It may have a funky smell to it.
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2. Painful urination
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One of the lest favorable symptoms of this STD is painful urination.  I believe this to be the worst one because it is an unavoidable, anticipated event that happens multiple times per day.  Again, not all cases will have this symptom, but\u2026 if you have this one\u2026 it can be a doozy!  Cranberry concentrate (in any form, be it pill, liquid juice, or powder) can help with this symptom until you are able to get into a doctor.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many other foods that can help fight a bacterial infection, in general, such as garlic<\/a>, echinacea, honey, and turmeric, but they need to be taken in concentrated doses.  Basically, you will have to deal with this likely, until the bacterial chlamydia subsides (via antibiotic prescription or another remedy).  However you treat it, just make sure you get tested so you are aware of what the news is.
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3. Burning and itching around opening in penis or vagina
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For both men and women, this symptom can be quite the nuisance.  Reports of trying not to scratch while in public, and the mental distraction caused by it when at work or trying to have a quality conversation are there.  That makes this my second worst symptom of chlamydia.  It is basically constant, though, can vary by case.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It basically is your body\u2019s defense system signaling you that something is not quite right in that area.  Applying honey, taking an antihistamine <\/a>(such as Benadryl or Zyrtec or Allegra) will quite the itch, but it is a bandaid and the really important communication your body is giving you is that you need to A) stop having sex immediately so as to not spread any further nor reinfect, and B) get on some antibiotics (be if homeopathic or prescription modern medicine man style), and then C) test again in one month.
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4. Pain and swelling around testicles in men
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Another reported and documented symptom of chlamydia is pain and swelling around the testicles<\/a>.  Since men tend to notice what is going around there quite acutely, they should pick up on this one, assuming the bacterial infection decides to manifest itself in that particular way in that particular person.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I realize it is a bit hit or miss, but\u2026 the more information you have, the better prepared you will be to deal with such a wild turn of events.  Pain meds will do no long-term good, you must get tested for STD\u2019s if you have this symptom.  As with the other symptoms, intercourse should cease until the investigation (and possible treatment) is complete.  Not that sex would be all that great in this condition anyway, but\u2026 the threat of the spread of the infection is really what we are after here.
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5. Pain during sex
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Our last symptom <\/a>leads eloquently (as eloquently as possible) into this next symptom or sign of the friendly chlamydia STD\u2026 pain during sex.  If ever you are experiencing pain during sex, there could be a good number of different reasons:  for example, maybe you are new to it and your body is adjusting, or maybe there are some psychological concerns that are manifesting themselves somatically (in the body), or maybe a variety of other medical conditions (ranging from very mild to severe) could be at play\u2026 there are many reasons, but all roads here lead to testing, research, and communication with another person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worst case scenario, you get a full STD screen test and get to know yourself a lot better, as well as how you need to be interaction with others you may be engaging in sexual activity with.  
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6. Abdominal pain with fever
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This potential symptom of chlamydia is at the top of the list.  This typically appears in more advanced cases, as you can imagine.  You might consider if you have had a new sexual partner in the recent four months if you are experiencing this, to get clarity.  The fact that the fever is paired with abdominal pain again could be a myriad of different medical explanations, but\u2026 especially if you are experiencing other symptoms on this list\u2026 you might be starting to narrow your options of explanation down.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A general practitioner (GP) MD (medical doctor) can address your concerns, as well.  It doesn\u2019t hurt, as mentioned in symptom number two, to start eating some naturally antibacterial <\/a>foods (Goldenseal, ginger, and clove are a few more) in concentrated doses to support your body\u2019s immune system response to any potential body invaders.  But a test with the doc helps.
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7. Bleeding between periods
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As with some other symptoms on this list, this can be caused by a myriad of physiological <\/a>functions (and some women have this more than others, naturally, or due to birth control\/ hormonal contraceptives), but the more you know, the better you will be able to piece together your overall health puzzle.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Especially if you have multiple of these symptoms, you will know how important it is to stop having sex and get tested by your doctor.  You will also need to have your partner tested and potentially treated if you find out that you do have the bacterial infection, chlamydia.  It is not the end of the world if you do.  It is basically a simple treatment and then you are back to your normal physiological homeostasis.  Using condoms only cuts the chances of getting chlamydia in half, so\u2026 be choosey. 
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8. None
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Since chlamydia usually has no symptoms, I thought it important to relay this crystal clearly.  It is important if you are sexually active – even with only one partner, for your own health – to get STD\/STI <\/a>(sexually transmitted disease\/ sexually transmitted infection) tested annually, or at the sign of symptoms.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many STD\u2019s out there have zero humanly detectable symptoms, but cause great long-term damage, ranging up to death, even decades later.  Be careful who you mix biology with.  We all treat our bodies differently, and we cannot know for certain where a new partner has been, so\u2026 practice as safe as possible, meaning:  condoms, monogamy, and regular testing just to be sure, because\u2026 this is the one life you definitely have\u2026 I hope you enjoy it and live out all your dreams and are not hampered by STD\u2019s like chlamydia.  You are worth more than that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Tiredness <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common symptom of Chlamydia that is particularly easy to miss, is tiredness<\/a>. This is easy to miss because it is something that can have so many different causes and is even something that many of us accept as \u2018normal\u2019
In fact, though, being overtired is very often a sign that something is wrong in the body and that it is trying to fight infection. In this case, your body is trying to drive out the bacterial infection and therefore you will feel as though you have had a more active day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, inflammation that affects the body can also have an effect on the brain. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are known to cause inflammation in the brain that is thought to be at least partly responsible for the \u2018brain fog\u2019 that many of us experience when feeling unwell.
While you shouldn\u2019t instantly assume that any tiredness is caused by chlamydia, you should certainly consider this possibility if you are overtired and show any of the other symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Loss of weight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As with tiredness, loss of weight is another symptom that can have a lot of potential causes and explanations: making it hard to pin down.
In this case though, loss of weight might be due to a loss of appetite. This in turn is caused in part by your body suppressing its usual activities in order to focus more on the immune system and fighting the infection. At the same time, you may be experiencing weight loss<\/a> as caused by stomach pain and discomfort \u2013 which also makes you less prone to eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, you might feel nausea and may even throw up. This is because your body is trying to \u2018flush\u2019 itself to remove the bacteria. While things like tiredness and weight loss are not immediate causes for concern, if they come on suddenly, then you should certainly seek to explore what might have caused them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Bleeding after sex<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Again, there are many reasons for bleeding after sex and this can even happen completely normally. However, in this case, bleeding <\/a>after sex is caused by irritation and swelling that are both results of your body reacting to invading bacteria. This can then be enough for the delicate skin to be damaged during any kind of activity that causes contact with it.
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We already discussed that pain during intercourse is relatively common for those suffering from chlamydia, and this can then be accompanied by bleeding (which you might not notice right away).
Generally, the advice is that you shouldn\u2019t have sex once you identify that you have chlamydia. You will need a single dose therapy of azrithromycin (or similar) and will then need to wait seven days to be able to have sex safely afterward.
Wearing a condom during sex will cut the chances of passing on the condition by more than half \u2013 but there is still significant risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Pain in the pelvis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As well as feeling a burning sensation<\/a> when peeing, and a general discomfort around the vagina or urethra, it is also common to experience pain in the pelvis. This can be caused as swelling and tenderness in the area can cause the surrounding areas to become more sensitive at the same time. This in turn may make it difficult to walk, to sit for long periods, or even to get to sleep \u2013 leading to other issues such as insomnia and tiredness as secondary concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience this then you should be seen early, as the condition can otherwise progress and lead to numerous complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and even infertility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Pain in the rectum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chlamydia does not just affect the vagina and penis and can actually affect many other areas, including the rectum. If you have had unprotected anal sex (or even protected anal sex) then this is a possibility. This can also lead to other symptoms such as bleeding during bowel <\/a>movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Redness in the eyes and throat <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, it is also possible to contract chlamydia in other areas such as the throat during oral sex. This can then cause redness in the throat <\/a>and soreness \u2013 though in other cases it might be asymptomatic and you might simply carry the bacteria that way.
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Similarly, should infected sperm or vaginal fluid\/discharge come into contact with the eyes, then this can lead to redness and soreness. A serious and less common condition is reactive arthritis, which is caused by chlamydia trachomatis and can lead to pain in the eyes, urethra, and joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Risk factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While anyone can contract chlamydia (as we discussed already, it is the most common STI in the US), it is nevertheless more likely to occur in certain demographics. Understanding this can be useful when trying to make a diagnosis<\/a>: how at risk of infection are you? Is this a likely explanation for your complaint, or is something else more likely to be responsible.
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In the case of chlamydia, being sexually active is of course a requisite. It is unclear whether it is possible to catch the disease without sex (though you can be born with it). It is more common for those under the age of 25 (though this may be due to lifestyle factors), and is more common in those with previous history of STI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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