Chlamydia

Chlamydia is an STI that is caused by the transmission of bacteria present in the semen or vaginal fluid. It is passed from one infected person to the other through unprotected vaginal, anal, as well as oral sex. It can occur in both men and women.

Chlamydia is a treatable infection. However, like many other STIs, it is asymptomatic - meaning it doesn’t usually show any signs or symptoms. However, it can lead to some grave health complications, such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disorder (PID) in women and infertility in both men and women. This is why it is important to get tested for chlamydia regularly and seek treatment as soon as possible.

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US. In 2023, there were 492.2 reported cases of chlamydia for every 100,000 people. Adolescents and young adults in the US were diagnosed with the most number of chlamydia cases. People aged 15 to 24 accounted for 55.8% of all reported chlamydia cases.

This can be due to many reasons, such as the fact that young population is more susceptible to developing infections, irregular use of protective measures such as condoms, or restricted access to sexual education and resources.

While the statistics can overwhelm, it is important to understand that the STI is preventable and treatable, if detected on time. With safe sex practice, adequate use of protection during a sexual encounter, and timely diagnosis with treatment can help immensely.

Chlamydia can cause irreversible harm to female reproductive health. It may lead to infertility and can cause pelvic inflammatory disorder (PID) or ectopic pregnancies (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb), which can be fatal.

Most cases of chlamydia are asymptomatic, however they still pose health risks. If symptoms occur, they may only become noticeable several weeks after a sexual encounter with an infected person.

Both men and women can become infected with rectal chlamydia. This occurs due to the bacteria being transmitted from an infected person to a non-infected person through unprotected anal sex. It usually doesn’t show any symptoms; however, in rare cases, some symptoms can be present.

Here are some chlamydia signs and symptoms to watch out for:

Anyone who is sexually active and engages in vaginal, anal, or sex with an infected person without adequate protection, is at the risk of getting chlamydia.

You are also at risk of contracting chlamydia if you have multiple sex partners. It is best to get tested for it regularly to be safe.

Since chlamydia doesn’t usually show symptoms, it is important to get tested for it regularly.

Getting tested for chlamydia

Testing for chlamydia usually requires a laboratory analysis. Your doctor may ask for your urine sample or use a cotton swab to get a vaginal sample for diagnosis.

If you are sexually active, you should get tested for chlamydia. You should also test for it if any of the following apply to you:

If you test positive for chlamydia, get tested for other STIs, such as HIV, gonorrhea, and syphilis. If you are a man who has sex with men and has been diagnosed with rectal chlamydia, but your HIV test is negative, speak to your healthcare provider about HIV PrEP to reduce your risk of contracting HIV.

Dr. Adrian Rawlinson Supervising Physician

Is chlamydia curable? Yes, it can be treated and cured with medicines. It is important to remember that medicines will only cure the infection, not undo any permanent damage caused by the infection.

Chlamydia can recur, so it is best to get tested three months after you complete the treatment to prevent the infection from returning.

To treat chlamydia, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends Doxycycline as the first line of treatment and Azithromycin as an alternative treatment.

Doxycycline is an antibiotic that belongs to a class of tetracyclines, which manages and treats various bacterial infections, including STIs such as chlamydia. Azithromycin belongs to a class of macrolide antibiotics, which work by stopping bacterial growth.

Another chlamydia treatment includes Tetracycline. Tetracycline is an antibiotic agent that treats several infectious diseases, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

Refer to the table below to understand the effectiveness of each medicine.

Chlamydia doesn’t usually show any symptoms. This is why the damage done by untreated chlamydia often goes unnoticed.

Here is what happens if it is not treated in time:

• In women, untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to an ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and long-term pain in the pelvis and/or abdomen.
• In rare cases, it can lead to fever and painful sensations in the tubes attached to the testicles in men. This can sometimes lead to infertility.
• In both men and women, it can increase the risk of getting HIV.

The best way to prevent any kind of STI, especially chlamydia, is to avoid having vaginal, anal, or oral sex. However, this isn’t a viable option for many people.

If you are sexually active or planning to become sexually active, here is what you can do to reduce the risk of getting chlamydia:

• Get yourself and your partner tested - at a clinic near you, at your primary doctor’s office, or at home with at-home test kits
• Maintain a monogamous relationship with your partner
• Use protection, such as condoms, while having sex*

*Condoms help prevent chlamydia transmission during sexual activity, but they aren’t 100% effective. There is always a chance of getting an STI, even after using a condom.

If you have had sex with a person for at least two months before they test positive for chlamydia, it is recommended to get yourself tested and treated as soon as possible, even if you do not notice any symptoms of the STI.

Dr. Adrian Rawlinson Supervising Physician

While getting treated for chlamydia, you need to be aware of a few risks associated with certain day-to-day activities. Here is a list of safety precautions to keep in mind while getting the treatment.

Yes, you can buy treatment for chlamydia online at SpeedyHealth. All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

• Choose a medicine for chlamydia that you think will work the best for you.
• Fill out our online consultation form. It should only take 5-10 minutes.
• Our doctor will review the form and determine if the treatment is best for you.
• If they approve, the doctor will issue an e-prescription for the treatment.
• Our licensed pharmacy will dispatch the treatment in discreet packaging to your doorstep with free delivery.

At SpeedyHealth, we provide fast and convenient healthcare without the hassle of waiting in line for a prescription. Your medications are just a few clicks away.

You can trust that there are no hidden fees or costs when you order from us.

Best of all, we offer free and discreet delivery right to your doorstep. Your order is completely confidential, and you won’t have to pay for shipping.