What is the Treatment for Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, which is also where the infection gets its name. It is one of the most common STD’s in the world and it is estimated that 2.8 million new cases of the infection occur in the United States each year. Chlamydia can be transmitted via virginal, oral and anal sex, as well as from mother to baby during childbirth. About 50-70% of women infected do not usually notice any symptoms, while most men notice a white discharge from their penis, possibly with pain during urination. If chlamydia is left untreated it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women and epididymitis in men. Both of these conditions can lead to infertility and other complications. The bacteria that cause chlamydia can also cause conjunctivitis (trachoma) and this was once the leading cause of blindness in the world. Let’s find out how this STD is treated.
What is the treatment for chlamydia?
Once it is detected the infection can be treated with antibiotics. The common antibiotics used for this disease are azithrommycin, doxycycline, erythromycin or ofloxacin. For pregnant women erythromycin or amoxicillin is used.
Preventing chlamydia
The only sure fire prevention of this infection is to abstain from sexual intercourse. Condoms are effective are reducing the risk, but they are not guaranteed to prevent infection. A long term monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is also considered to be viable method of prevention. Because chlamydia does not always cause symptoms, especially in women, it is recommended that sexually active people are tested every year. If you are found to have the disease your medical practitioner will ask you to consider abstaining from sex while undergoing treatment and to advise your sexual partners so that they can be tested and/or treated.
Did you know?
It is estimated that approximately 1 million people in the United States carry the disease in the United States at any one time, many without even knowing it!
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