Chlamydia is an extremely common disease among those that are sexually transmitted, that is, from a number of STDs. Chlamydia, of which in approximately half of cases patients have no symptoms, as well as clinical manifestations or characteristic complaints, is diagnosed annually in more than 90 million people.
general description
The fairly high prevalence inherent in chlamydia is due to several main reasons that contribute to this. The first, and at the same time main reason Such prevalence is due to the peculiarities of the course of chlamydia, or rather, the weak severity of symptoms or even the absence of them. As we initially noted, chlamydia occurs without symptoms in almost half of the cases, and therefore sexual partners often do not know at all that for one of them this diagnosis is relevant. What is noteworthy is that a person often becomes a carrier of chlamydia for several years without suspecting anything about it. And although the initial description of chlamydia may make someone give up on it due to its frivolity, nevertheless, it is over time that the disease manifests itself, and in the form of quite serious, moreover, irreversible forms. As such, a number of diseases can be identified, namely: pyelonephritis, prostatitis, diseases of the uterus, cystitis, diseases of the appendages and cervix, etc.
There has become a logical trend that young couples, having decided to add a new addition to the family, are faced with the fact that one of the partners in it suffers from infertility, and chlamydia is the only reason for this. It should be noted that salpingitis, according to its incidence in Europe alone, in about more than 600,000 cases out of the total number of cases diagnosed, is a consequence of exposure to chlamydia on the body, which, in turn, becomes the cause of infertility in a quarter of these cases.
As for approximate statistics, thanks to which it is possible to estimate the scale of the incidence, the following data is available. Thus, almost half of the men belonging to the group of sexually active age suffer from chlamydial infection, about a third of women (this group is aged 16-40 years). Infection with chlamydia is observed in 30-60% of cases among women and about 51% among men, when inflammatory diseases of a non-gonococcal scale associated with the functions of the genitourinary organs are relevant for them. It should be noted that prostatitis in men is becoming the most common disease that occurs against the background of chlamydial infection. Asymptomatic cases of those infections that also occur due to exposure to chlamydia, for men and women, the frequency statistics are about 5-20%.
The course of chlamydia is possible with a clinical picture inherent in such diseases as conjunctivitis, arthritis, pneumonia, diseases of the cardiovascular system, etc. As a result of this, patients, accordingly, turn first of all to specialists with a profile suitable for these diseases, that is, to therapists and rheumatologists, to an ophthalmologist and others, while a venereologist is not considered in the context of the symptoms of these diseases in general. Important feature urogenital chlamydia is that it increases the susceptibility of patients to syphilis and HIV infection. Moreover, these strains of chlamydia acquire not only exceptional virulence (i.e. aggressiveness), but are also extremely difficult to cure.
Chlamydia is also characterized by significant contagiousness (i.e., infectiousness or characteristic in the form of the ability to transmit infection from a sick person to a susceptible healthy person). Thus, against this background, chlamydia is a disease that occurs in about 80% of patients who act as sexual partners of infected men.
It can also be said about chlamydia that in about 85% of cases they are companions of other infections that are transmitted sexually (i.e., STIs). Such infections include, again, thrush, mycoplasmosis, and others. This type of combination causes an increase in the pathogenicity of each microbe found in such an association, due to which the course of treatment of the underlying disease, which is chlamydia, also becomes more complicated.
Chlamydia: features of the course
The cause of chlamydia infection is the actual causative agent of this disease, that is, a bacterium representing the genus Chlamydia. Chlamydia exists in two varieties, but one of these varieties primarily affects animals, so it is advisable to consider the second variety, the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. This bacterium, in turn, exists in 15 varieties, some of which can cause trachoma and lymphogranulomatosis venereum. Two varieties of this bacterium contribute to damage to the genitourinary system (in both women and men), provoking the development of urogenital chlamydia. It should also be emphasized that Chlamidia trachomatis is in an intermediate position, occupying a position between bacteria and viruses, which is why the disease is extremely difficult to diagnose, and, accordingly, to adequate treatment measures directly addressed to it.
Let's consider the features that chlamydia has. Chlamydia are obligate gram-negative intracellular pathogenic bacteria. Their sizes are about 250-300 nm; primary infection of cells by them leads to damage to all those barrier systems that the body has.
Chlamydia reproduces through binary fission, and it is also known that they are sensitive to certain types of antibiotics that affect them. It is precisely because of the listed features inherent in chlamydia that scientists have identified them as bacteria. As we noted earlier, chlamydia is located in positions between viruses and bacteria, therefore assigning them to a specific of these groups was controversial.
As for the route of transmission of chlamydia, here, as we have already highlighted, infection occurs through sexual contact. Meanwhile, extrasexual transmission of infection is also possible, which occurs, for example, through underwear, hands and other routes, and although this option does not have significant epidemiological significance, it also cannot be excluded. In addition, there is a fairly high degree of chlamydia infection among newborns, which in particular occurs when they pass through the genital tract infected with chlamydia or during intrauterine transmission of this infection.
Chlamydia, finding itself in favorable conditions, provokes the development of many different diseases that directly affect the appendages and genital organs. Let's highlight these diseases below:
- (a disease with accompanying inflammation Bladder);
- (a disease with concomitant inflammation of the urethra);
- paraurethritis;
- cystourethritis;
- (a disease in which the testicle becomes inflamed);
- funiculitis (inflammatory lesion of the spermatic cord);
- vulvitis (damage to the female external genitalia);
- chronic (a disease with concomitant inflammation of the prostate gland);
- (a disease with concomitant damage to the seminal vesicles);
- orchiepididymitis (a disease in which both the testicle and its appendages are affected by inflammation);
- cooperite;
- and endocervicitis;
- erosion;
- salpingitis (a disease with concomitant inflammation of the fallopian tubes);
- adhesions;
- salpingo-oophoritis;
- endometritis and many others.
Symptoms of chlamydia, as well as signs indicating chlamydial invasion, are determined by the specific organ in which they have settled. One strain can provoke the development of diseases of the genital organs and the development of eye diseases, for example. Given this, the symptoms will naturally differ. The main factors determining the symptoms of chlamydia, accordingly, can be determined by the type of chlamydia that provoked the disease and the route of infection.
The first symptoms of chlamydia often go away after two weeks, after which the infected person is confident that he is in perfect health. However, he becomes not only a carrier of infection, infecting his sexual partners, but also endangers those people who live in close proximity to him (children, relatives).
Urogenital chlamydia: symptoms
The main symptoms of chlamydia of the genital organs (for both men and women) are sensations of a so-called subjective nature. This type of sensation is that patients feel that something has changed in the body (in the genital area in particular) and that something is “wrong.” It is quite difficult to understand what exactly has changed, as well as to describe it. It is, in fact, subjective sensations that are the main signs of the disease in question, because it often “does not give itself away” as anything else.
Chlamydia, once on the epithelium, which is characterized by pronounced sensitivity to them, leads to the development of an inflammatory process. Actually, the area where chlamydia enters is the mucous membrane of the rectum and urethra (for men) and the mucous membrane of the rectum, urethra and cervix. The subsequent development of the inflammatory process leads to its transition to surrounding organs.
As we noted initially, the course of chlamydia is characterized by either complete asymptomaticity or a minimum of manifestations. The disease is completely asymptomatic for 68% of women and 47% of men. The peculiarity of chlamydia affecting the genital and urinary organs is that the symptoms are not too pronounced. It can manifest itself in the form of discomfort in the lower abdomen, as well as in disorders associated with urination, which, in turn, may include itching in the urethra, increased frequency of urination and pain when urinating, in addition, discharge from the vagina and from the urethra.
Again, we repeat that the most unpleasant thing about this infection is the virtual absence of symptoms. Moreover, the symptoms of sexually transmitted infections are mostly of a similar nature, and therefore, to accurately diagnose a specific infection, you will have to undergo at least a dozen tests, through which it will be possible to isolate chlamydia from other infections. It is also important that chlamydia often has other companions, based on the identification of which in the body one can also assume their presence in it (gonococci, ureaplasma, and other variants that we previously identified). At the same time, such association with other infections determines for chlamydia the possibility of the best adaptation in the body’s environment while simultaneously resisting the immune system.
Non-sexual chlamydia: symptoms
Chlamydia in men and women occurs not only when the genital organs are involved in the inflammatory process, but also often with the involvement of joints, lungs, intestines, eyes, skin, pharynx, heart, nervous system. Chlamydia in newborns can be accompanied by eye damage, bronchitis, and vulvovaginitis.
In addition, heterosexual women and homosexual men often experience chlamydial proctitis, which affects the rectum. This disease mainly occurs without any symptoms; if they manifest themselves, it is in the form of discharge from the rectum, pain in it and itching.
When chlamydia gets into the eyes, the symptoms (relevant for men, women, and children) correspond to the manifestations that are relevant for. This includes, in particular, purulent or mucous discharge from the eyes, a certain degree of inflammation of the conjunctiva. After treatment, the possibility of recurrence of this form of conjunctivitis cannot be ruled out.
It should be noted that these diseases, chlamydial proctitis and chlamydia of the eyes, the symptoms of which we examined, are characterized by the complete disappearance of their inherent symptoms after a few weeks, and this happens even without treatment. Neither chlamydia nor chlamydia, unfortunately, disappear, and even self-healing of this disease itself a rarity. Moreover, without treatment, the disease becomes chronic, and, accordingly, this is chronic chlamydia, the symptoms of which worsen periodically. In addition, chlamydia continues to spread throughout the body with gradual damage in the process of such spread internal organs, here, as already noted, not only the genitals are affected, but also many other organs, joints and the lymphatic system.
Reiter's syndrome is one of the most severe complications developing against the background of chlamydia. The transition of chlamydia to this syndrome implies simultaneous damage to the prostate gland (in men, respectively), eyes and joints.
In addition, chlamydia can also provoke the development of pneumonia. The onset of such pneumonia is characterized by gradual damage respiratory tract(which distinguishes this form of pneumonia from bacterial pneumonia, that is, ordinary) with accompanying inflammation. The temperature corresponds to subfebrile indicators (within no more than 38 degrees), in addition to this, an exhausting cough appears for the patient, and other types of manifestations associated with the functions of other organs (joints, skin, intestines, stomach, central nervous system) also appear. When taking tests, the indicators are uncharacteristic, which consists of the absence of leukocytes in the blood, as well as a neutrophil shift. The absence of leukocytes is evidence that there is an inflammatory process, and the neutrophil shift is a fairly important indicator on the basis of which the severity of the actual infection and the corresponding prognosis for the disease are determined.
With the development of pneumonia, the temperature increase can reach values within 38-40 degrees, which is accompanied by weakness and headaches. A distinctive symptom that allows chlamydial origin to be associated with existing pneumonia is an extremely painful cough. In this case, damage to the respiratory tract is practically insignificant. In addition, chlamydial pneumonia is also characterized by the fact that its course is protracted and long-lasting, with constant relapses of the disease in the future.
Chlamydia: symptoms in women
Before we move on to describing the symptoms in women when considering chlamydia, we note that in 7 out of 10 cases there is a complete absence of it. Chlamydia manifests itself in women, first of all, as vaginal discharge, which, in turn, can be mucous or purulent. The difference from normal discharge lies in the accompanying unpleasant odor; there may also be a difference in color - it happens that such discharge is yellowish. In addition to discharge, pain may also appear, noted from the internal and external genital organs. There is also a burning sensation and itching (these sensations also accompany urination), an unbearable desire to scratch the skin, and pain in the lower abdomen, concentrated in the pelvic area. In particular, increased pain is observed on the eve of menstruation; bleeding is not uncommon, not associated with menstruation (intermenstrual bleeding).
As accompanying symptoms, one can also identify a slight increase in temperature and weakness - that is, the characteristic symptoms of intoxication. Meanwhile, there are no specific signs or symptoms that would indicate the relevance of chlamydia (both for herself and for her attending physician).
Accordingly, as we initially highlighted in the description of this disease, those internal sensations of a subjective nature that a woman experiences regarding the genital organs and the state of some of their dysfunction, along with the identified symptoms that may also be present - all this is significant for subsequent contact with a specialist ( gynecologist). At the appointment, inflammatory processes can be diagnosed in parallel, for example, endocervicitis, cystitis, urethritis, etc. It is also possible to determine a diagnosis such as bacterial vaginosis. As you might guess, all these diseases can manifest themselves independently, without being “linked” to chlamydia, however, the presence of a connection can only be reliably determined by conducting tests.
Chlamydia in men: symptoms
Symptoms of chlamydia, as well as in women, in men are either mildly expressed or completely absent. The manifestation of symptoms, if noted, occurs at the very beginning of the disease, and this occurs in most cases in the form of a certain inflammation of the urethra in its chronic form, that is, in the form of urethritis, the duration of which is about several months. Meanwhile, there are no special symptoms indicating that the cause of this or that kind of ailment is the effect of chlamydia and chlamydia itself on the body.
Among the symptoms that you should pay attention to is the appearance of glassy discharge emerging from the urethra, otherwise defined as a “morning drop”. The process of urination may be accompanied by burning and itching. Pain is possible, not too pronounced in manifestation and, as a rule, concentrated in the scrotum, urethra, testicles and lower back. There may also be a slight increase in temperature (within 37 degrees), as well as weakness, which, as in the case of female symptoms, indicates intoxication. Possible cloudiness of the urine and the appearance of purulent threads in it cannot be ruled out either. In some cases, patients experience bloody discharge upon completion of urination or their appearance during ejaculation. Regardless of the nature of these manifestations and the degree of discomfort experienced with them, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor. The spread of chlamydia throughout the body can lead to diseases, most of them irreversible, including impotence and infertility.
Chlamydia during pregnancy: symptoms and features
Chlamydia, as we have already discussed in the previous parts of our article, is an extremely common disease. Therefore, the interest in this disease among pregnant women is, of course, justified. So, what determines the detection of chlamydia in a pregnant woman?
It should be noted that in accordance with the general prevalence and asymptomatic nature of the disease, this prevalence is only reinforcing; during pregnancy, chlamydia is also diagnosed quite often. As a rule, urogenital chlamydia is characterized by a traditional, one might say, absence of symptoms; almost its only manifestation can be a disease such as pseudo-erosion of the cervix or cervicitis (in which the cervix is subject to inflammation).
When infected with chlamydia already during pregnancy and with a subsequent exacerbation of the infectious process already against the background of weakened immunity, symptoms can manifest themselves similarly to those experienced by women who are not pregnant. Mostly this is a mucopurulent form of cervicitis; if we are talking about an ascending infection, then it is choriomnionitis (a disease in which the placenta is subject to inflammation) or endometritis with its characteristic inflammation of the uterine mucosa.
The actual process of pregnancy with the accompanying chlamydia is always caused by the occurrence of a number of complications of an obstetric scale, for example, this may be the threat of ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or spontaneous abortion (which is important for the initial period), as well as polyhydramnios and late toxicosis (preeclampsia).
The infection may also be accompanied by complications of this type, such as untimely rupture of the membranes, an abnormal placentation process, or premature placental abruption. In addition, intrauterine hypoxia, weakness and fever during childbirth cannot be ruled out.
What is noteworthy is that up to 60% of cases indicate that mothers transmit the infection to the child with the subsequent development of chlamydia.
Most often, chlamydia manifests itself in the form of conjunctivitis (ophthalmochlamydia). It is diagnosed in about 30-50% of cases at birth from mothers with the infection in question, by 3-15 days of life.
Chlamydia: symptoms in children
Chlamydial infection can manifest itself in newborns in the form of diseases such as conjunctivitis, tubo-otitis, bronchitis, proctitis, vulvovaginitis, pneumonia. In about 70% of cases, the infection becomes generalized, which is accompanied by damage various organs. Most often, as already noted earlier, conjunctivitis develops. As his typical features You can distinguish the gluing of the eyelids after sleep, the appearance of discharge. The duration of chlamydial conjunctivitis is about 4 weeks, and there is no deterioration in vision after it. Some children experience damage to the respiratory tract (respiratory chlamydia), the symptoms of which are the result of infection directly affecting the lung tissue, which is explained by aspiration of amniotic fluid with infection during childbirth.
In children with chlamydial pneumonia, the Apgar score often corresponds to less than 6 points. The early neonatal period in almost every infected person is accompanied by the occurrence of respiratory distress syndrome of varying severity, and in about 30% of cases artificial ventilation is required.
In many newborns, either from birth or within the first day after birth, hepatosplenomegaly is diagnosed, about 50% are diagnosed with edema syndrome. The difference between the course of chlamydia in this period and its course in children at an older age is that the course of chlamydia infection is accompanied by severe toxicosis. The maximum manifestations of this type of toxicosis are diagnosed on the fifth to seventh day of life, which is accompanied by pallor of the skin and the appearance of a peculiar marble pattern on it, as well as bloating and regurgitation, and disorders of the nervous system. In 50% of cases, an early form of lymphadenopathy is diagnosed, somewhat less often - a rash (small-pointed and short-term). By the second or third week of the disease, a paroxysmal cough develops against the background of sputum discharge.
Treatment of chlamydia
In the traditional version of drug therapy, or more precisely in its application to chlamydia, there are many difficulties, which, first of all, are dictated by the characteristics inherent in chlamydia (specific intracellular reproduction, to be more precise), as well as the immunodeficiency that accompanies most cases of the disease. Due to the intracellular proliferation of microorganisms, antibacterial therapy is significantly limited due to the impossibility of penetration of such drugs into the cell. Moreover, the inflammation that forms around the sites of infection acts as a barrier, which also makes it difficult for antibiotics to act. Due to the insufficient state of the body’s immunological defense, it is simply not able to adequately respond to such an infectious invasion.
Taking into account these features, the effectiveness of chlamydia treatment today is achieved through the use of a special comprehensive program focused on the treatment of chronic viral and bacterial forms of infections with concomitant immune disorders. This program is based on extracorporeal hemocorrection techniques.
To sanitize foci of infection, technologies are used that ensure incubation of cell mass, for which antibiotics are used - with their help, concentrations of antibacterial drugs are formed in foci of infection, which in the appropriate volume determine the effectiveness of their use.
Also, treatment of chlamydia requires the use of immunomodulators, which is necessary due to the effect of chlamydia on the immune system with its subsequent inhibition. In general, it can be noted that each specific variant of the course of chlamydia requires the development of an individual treatment regimen, taking into account the nature of the impact of the infection, its sensitivity to antibiotics, the presence of concomitant types of infections, the duration of the disease and its overall severity, localization and specific area affected by the infection.
Treatment of chlamydia also requires the use of enzyme preparations, adaptogens, proteolytic agents, probiotics, and vitamins. An important role is also given to local drugs in the form of installation of the appropriate type of drugs into the urethra, the use of enemas, baths, suppositories, vaginal tampons, etc. The need to use enzyme preparations is, first of all, dictated by the need to restore diseased cells and, in particular, the permeability of their membranes.
Also, recently, treatment in most cases is based on the use of physiotherapeutic procedures (ultrasound, electrophoresis, infrared radiation, quantum therapy, etc.).
The greatest effectiveness of treatment is achieved based on the use of a specific method of drug administration. Thus, the priority areas of treatment are intramuscular and intravenous administration drugs - this determines an increase in their bioavailability with maximum distribution in cells.
In the case of a combination of chlamydia with diseases such as gardnellosis and trichomoniasis, it is necessary first of all to get rid of them, and only then proceed to the treatment of chlamydia. The end of the course of treatment in this option requires passing control tests (after about 20-25 days). Repeated detection of chlamydia requires an additional course of treatment. Negative tests for this disease require subsequent two-month monitoring (once a month), for women - within the same period before menstruation or during its onset.
To prevent the spread of infection, all women are screened for chlamydia before an abortion and before giving birth. When planning a family, couples must undergo screening for the presence of latent infections (including chlamydia). If chlamydia is detected in one of the partners, treatment is necessary for both.
Chlamydia (intracellular pathogenic bacteria) when entering the human body leads to the development of chlamydia. The disease belongs to the category of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Gonorrhea is 2 times less common. The symptoms of chlamydia are not pronounced, which makes diagnosis difficult.
The disease, detected in the later stages, leads to the development of unpleasant complications, including infertility.
Normally, chlamydia should not appear inside the body. If the result is positive after diagnosis, regardless of the severity of the symptoms, urgent treatment is required.
The pathogen can remain in the body for a long time in a persistent (inactive) state. An infected person is a carrier capable of infecting healthy people.
Where does chlamydia come from? There are several ways of spreading infections:
- Sexual.
- Contact and household.
- Vertical (from the pregnant woman to the fetus).
The frequency of infection of a child during passage through the female birth canal is extremely high. The probability of the disease occurring during unprotected sexual intercourse is on average 50% (22-96%) depending on:
- development of the pathogen in the carrier;
- the number of infiltrated bacteria;
- immune protection in a healthy partner.
Sexual transmission of chlamydia is the most common; the pathogen enters the body through genital and anal contact. If there are wounds in the oral cavity and lips, infection may occur through oral-genital contact, especially if sperm gets into damaged areas of the mucous membrane and lips.
The causes of chlamydia infection vary depending on the bacterial strain, of which there are about 15. Chlamydia trachomatis is transmitted mainly through sexual contact, causing a urogenital infection. Some species enter humans through contact with birds, leading to conjunctivitis, or from patients with a particular type of pneumonia.
Only Ch. trachomatis classify antigenic serotypes leading to the following diseases:
- Development of trachoma (eyes are affected).
- Conjunctivitis and urogenital infections.
- The appearance of lymphogranuloma venereum.
The disease is often latent, and the incubation period lasts up to a month. A person, unaware of being a carrier, continues to lead an active life and poses a danger to healthy people in contact with him.
Sources and causes of infection, types of chlamydia in women
Chlamydia does not penetrate the skin and through a kiss (the facts have not been established).
There is a possibility of disease transmission through contact and everyday life as a result of touching the eyes or genitals:
- Dirty hands or lips (the source of chlamydia is the respiratory tract).
- Hygiene items (through a towel, toiletries, underwear).
- Water, for example, while taking a bath.
What makes the indirect transmission route possible? Chlamydia is not able to remain alive for a long time in environmental conditions, but on damp surfaces the bacteria remain viable for 2 days. at 18-19°C. The most dangerous are cotton and damp fabrics, to which bacteria adhere better.
Where else can chlamydia come from? There are suggestions that it is rare, but a mother can pick up pathogens from children who do not always take good care of their hygiene. The household route of transmission has not been documented; research is required.
If Ch. trachomatis can appear in the human body mainly after sexual contact, then Ch. pneumoniae causes respiratory diseases in people with weakened immune systems, including: sore throat, bronchitis, laryngitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis. The bacterium is transmitted by airborne droplets. A person with a healthy immune system does not become infected with Ch. pneumoniae
The variety of infections caused by chlamydia has arisen as a result of the characteristics of human exposure to specific strains of the pathogen. Cats, dogs, and other animals living in apartments do not carry chlamydia. The causes include close contact with birds among people working in the field Agriculture. The causative agents are bacteria Ch. pecorum and Ch. psittaci, which cause a special type of chlamydia (chlamydial ornithosis).
The occurrence of chlamydia in women occurs due to casual sexual contact. Using a condom is a guarantee of protection against pathogen penetration.
It is also necessary to observe hygiene standards in public places (saunas and swimming pools, fitness clubs, etc.). Pathogenic bacteria penetrate through the vagina into the cervix and then higher. There are known cases of infection of the rectum through reproductive system.
The reason for the rapid penetration of chlamydia into the female body is the ability of the pathogen to attach to sperm; the infection quickly spreads throughout all parts of the reproductive system.
For every man with chlamydia, there are 5 women. These bacteria feel better in the environment of the female reproductive system. During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system weakens, so the likelihood of developing chlamydia increases if prevention standards are not followed.
The causes of different types of chlamydia in women vary. Cervicitis (inflammation of the canal) is the most common. The pathogen enters the reproductive system after vaginal, less often oral, contact. The excretory system may become inflamed, causing cystitis and/or urethritis. The type of disease is named according to the location of the inflammation. Among the rare forms are:
- Proctitis - occurs as a result of anal and oral-anal contact, as well as when the pathogen is introduced from the female reproductive system.
- Pharyngitis - occurs after contact of the mouth with the genitals or anus.
Conjunctivitis occurs when it gets into the eyes through unwashed hands that have recently touched the genitals. This complication usually accompanies urogenital inflammation. Typically, 50% of patients with chlamydial conjunctivitis are infected with the sexual form.
The detection of chlamydia in any family member is a signal that all people in close contact with this person need to be tested. Tests will have to be carried out several times, since chlamydia is often found in the body in hidden form. Antibiotic therapy also does not help immediately due to the ability of chlamydia to go into an inactive state and “hide”.
Therefore, they take an integrated approach during the treatment period and prescribe tests to check for a possible relapse. After an infection has been suffered and cured, a person can always become infected again. The risk of chlamydia increases with the use of contraceptives and intrauterine devices. Chlamydia in women more often occurs in a latent form than in men. Therefore, it is more difficult to detect the disease.
Chlamydia is an infectious disease classified as sexually transmitted. According to medical research, this particular disease is difficult to diagnose, so it is detected when patients come to see a doctor for various reasons or for a preventive examination. If 30 years ago gonococcal infection (gonorrhea) was at the first level of the ranking of the frequency of diagnosed sexually transmitted diseases, then in the last 8 years chlamydia has been confidently leading.
Routes of infection
Chlamydia (the source of infection) has its own classification - they are different types, but differ only in cellular structure. Each type provokes the development of infection in certain organs and systems - for example, chlamydia can develop not only in the genitals, but also in the eyes.
Chlamydia cannot exist outside the human body, so infection through household means (through a handshake, dishes and towels) is impossible. Note: chlamydia can only be contracted during sexual intercourse with a sick partner, both during vaginal and anal sex, but the oral method of satisfying physiological needs is considered safe in terms of chlamydia.
After these pathogens penetrate the genitals, the incubation period begins - no symptoms of the disease are observed for 1-3 weeks. The patient does not make any complaints, his health is excellent, and at this time chlamydia strengthens in the body and begins to multiply.
Important: if a woman is infected with chlamydia during pregnancy, then there is a high risk of infection of the baby - he will be infected during the passage of the birth canal.
Scheme of fetal infection with chlamydia during pregnancy:
Signs of chlamydia
The greatest danger of the sexually transmitted infection in question is that it can be almost asymptomatic . Of course, there are some signs of pathology, but only an attentive person can notice them:
- For men infected with chlamydia, the following are typical:
- during urination, pain and burning appear in the urethra;
- the first drop of urine excreted may be very cloudy - it feels like it is “thick”;
- During ejaculation, mild bleeding may appear;
- in some cases, hyperthermia (increased body temperature) and general weakness appear.
- Women can pay attention to:
- pathologically altered vaginal discharge - leucorrhoea becomes yellowish and has an unpleasant odor;
- a burning sensation is felt when urinating;
- rarely, but there are complaints of itching in the urethra;
- There may be a short-term increase in body temperature.
Note: Not only are the above symptoms most often mild, but they can disappear without a trace after 10-14 days. But this does not mean a complete cure - the disease simply “hidden”.
Typically, chlamydia in women manifests itself as a sudden development of inflammatory diseases:
If chlamydia is suspected, the patient is prescribed tests. The most reliable method for detecting chlamydia is PCR (polymerase chain reaction), it gives almost 100% accuracy. In addition, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can be used - this helps to detect not the microorganism itself - chlamydia, but antibodies to chlamydia - IgG, IgM, IgA. In this case, antibodies are detected in the blood or in the discharge of the genital organs. The main advantage of the ELISA method is its ability to identify the severity of the process. The disadvantage of the method is low sensitivity– only 60%.
Explanation of the ELISA test for chlamydia:
Treatment methods for chlamydia
Treatment of chlamydia cannot be called unambiguous - it is selected on a strictly individual basis, taking into account the general health of the patient, level of immunity, concomitant diseases, possible hypersensitivity or individual intolerance to specific medicines. But there is also a general treatment regimen for the infectious disease in question, which implies an integrated approach to solving the problem.
Antibacterial drugs
We are talking about antibiotics - without their use it is impossible to achieve complete relief from chlamydial infection. Since pathogenic microorganisms develop directly in the cells of the body, you need to take those medications that are capable of destroying bacteria intracellularly:
- Macrolides;
- Tetracycline series;
- Fluoroquinolones.
If a patient is diagnosed with a mixed infection (for example, chlamydia is diagnosed simultaneously with trichomoniasis or gonorrhea), then doctors must select antibacterial drugs that will act in a complex manner.
Standard scheme treatment of chlamydia:
Antifungal drugs
Chlamydia is often combined with a fungal disease - in this case, you will need to undergo a course of antimycotic (antifungal) therapy. note: in the treatment of chlamydia, antifungal agents are taken in tablets - for example, Pimafucin, Nystatin and others.
Immunomodulatory agents
When treating chlamydia, drugs that can increase and strengthen immunity must be prescribed. Very effective in this case will be Taquitin, Methyluracil, Cycloferon and Polyoxidonium, which have the following properties:
- increase the body's resistance to infections;
- increase the amount of antibodies;
- reduce the time required for therapeutic manipulations;
- reduce the likelihood of similar effects of essential drugs.
Probiotics and Enzymes
Since chlamydial infection involves a fairly long period of taking powerful, potent medications, it is necessary to take care of the preservation of the normal functionality of the intestines and everything gastrointestinal tract. Doctors may recommend the following medications::
- probiotics: Lactobacterin, Bifidumbacterin, Hilak Forte and others;
- hepatoprotectors (they protect the liver from damage by toxins): Phosphogliv and Essentiale Forte;
- enzyme preparations (normalize the digestion process): Mezim, Festal, Krion and others;
- bacteriophages: Proteus, Coliphage, Intestibacteriophage.
Local therapy
To obtain quick results in the treatment of chlamydia, you can actively use topical medications. For women, vaginal tablets, suppositories and applicators can be prescribed, but prescriptions for men are limited only to ointments, creams and gels.
Note: Prescription of topical medications should be carried out only as prescribed by a doctor - it is necessary to exclude hypersensitivity and/or individual intolerance to medications. Otherwise allergic reaction can be rapid - anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema.
Both women and men should not focus only on taking medications - they, of course, have quick effect, but will not be able to completely get rid of the infection and restore the body. Doctors give the following recommendations:
- Adjust your diet. It is necessary to adhere to a dairy-free diet - for the period of treatment, refuse milk, yoghurt, mayonnaise, kefir and in general any products that may contain lactic bacteria. The fact is that they do not allow antibiotics to “work” fully, and the result will be that chlamydia becomes addicted to medications.
- Get physical therapy. Laser magnetic and ultrasound effects help to recover faster after severe treatment, but they can be prescribed only after the end of drug therapy.
- Avoid sexual activity. A ban on sexual activity is imposed for the entire period of treatment.
- Ethnoscience. Not a single prescription from the treatment category traditional methods will not be able to get rid of the infectious disease in question, but it will help to significantly reduce the intensity of discomfort. For example, itching and burning in the perineal area can be relieved with decoction baths medicinal plants string, coltsfoot, chamomile.
Possible complications of chlamydia
Doctors recognize chlamydia as a rather dangerous infection because it is practically asymptomatic and has a negative impact on the functioning of the reproductive system of both men and women.
Complications in women
Depending on where the chlamydial infection is localized, the following complications of an untreated disease may develop:
- Salpingo-oophoritis. If the infection was “focused” in the ovaries or fallopian tubes, then the development of the inflammatory process will occur in this area of the reproductive system. The danger of such inflammatory processes lies in the high risk of developing adhesive disease, which leads to persistent female infertility.
- Endocervicitis. Occurs when chlamydia is localized on the cervix and can provoke the development of cancer.
- Endometritis. The inflammatory process in the deep layers of the endometrium (tissue lining the inner cavity of the uterus) can cause habitual miscarriages.
In addition, chlamydia can provoke the occurrence of joint diseases and chronic conjunctivitis. A woman begins to experience severe discomfort and pain during sexual relations - they fade away, excessive irritability and unmotivated attacks of aggression appear. Then, as the infection spreads and the problem worsens, the woman may notice depressive state, chronic fatigue - in general, the level of activity in life is significantly reduced.
Complications in men
If a man has a chronic form of chlamydia, then one can most likely expect the development of:
- . This is an inflammatory process in the prostate gland, which can be accompanied by acute urinary retention and provoke the development of male infertility.
- . Inflammation of the urethra (urethra) leads to itching, burning and problems with urination; in the future, not only prostatitis, but also prostate adenoma (tumor) can develop.
- Epididymitis. Pathological damage to the epididymis, which ultimately leads to male infertility.
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that can be diagnosed even in a completely healthy patient; this disease occurs regardless of a person’s social status and lifestyle. But if chlamydia was detected in a timely manner and the patient’s treatment regimen was strictly followed, then a complete cure is possible in 30-40 days, and without any complications.
- Chlamidiya trachomatis - urogenital chlamydia
- Chlamidia pneumoniae - chlamydial pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma
If chlamydia appears in women, the symptoms depend on the type of chlamydia and their location. Most often, infection occurs with Chlamydia trachomatis, which is transmitted sexually (oral, genital, anal sex), less often through personal hygiene items, bedding, underwear, dirty hands, It is also possible that chlamydia can be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy and childbirth.
The process of developing chlamydia largely depends on the state of a person’s immunity; with a strong immune response to the introduction of microbes into the body, for example, if chlamydia appears in men, the symptoms of the disease may be absent and the body itself is able to cope with them. In a single case of infection (casual sexual contact), if the person is in good health, then chlamydia dies, protective forces the body does not allow them to reproduce.
But if a massive infection occurs, regular sexual contact with a carrier of chlamydia, then the body cannot cope with the onslaught of infectious agents and an inflammatory process occurs, which in 67% of cases in women and in 46% of cases in men is asymptomatic. The table shows possible diseases caused by chlamydia in women, men and children.
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Chlamydia trachomatis can affect any human tissue and organ, but most often causes the following diseases. |
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Chlamydia pneumonia It develops in humans mainly in the lower parts of the respiratory system, but damage to the heart and blood vessels is also possible. |
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To diagnose urogenital chlamydia in men and women, it is necessary to undergo enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and PCR tests.
It is especially important for the following persons to undergo a complete examination:
- Persons examined for other STIs - ureaplasma, mycoplasma, herpes, gonorrhea, CMV, trichomoniasis.
- Persons who have sexual contact with a patient with urogenital chlamydia
- Women with infertility, with mucopurulent discharge with an unspecified diagnosis, with (adnexitis), endometritis and other diseases of the female genital organs.
- Newborn babies from mothers who had a chlamydial infection either before pregnancy or during pregnancy.
- Men with symptoms of dysuria, prostatitis, urethritis, with mucopurulent discharge from the urethra, with an unknown diagnosis.
Prevention of infection is a healthy sexual lifestyle, protection with condoms. Also, the population should be informed about the routes of infection, the first symptoms and late clinical signs of chlamydia in women and men, symptoms and treatment of chlamydia in children.
Symptoms of chlamydia in women
After infection, during the incubation period of the microbes, which is 14-28 days, there are no manifestations of chlamydia infection in women. Symptoms of chlamydia may appear only after this time, when the chlamydial infection has gone through the following stages:
- Infection
- The emergence of a primary source of infection - colpitis, vaginitis first appears, especially in women during menopause, in girls, in pregnant women, when the hormonal level of tarragon is reduced.
- The progression of the inflammatory process in the lesion depends on the localization of chlamydia in a woman; the symptoms can be different:
- Burning, itching in the vagina, discomfort when urinating
- Discharge from chlamydia in women is usually mucopurulent in nature, with an unpleasant odor, yellow or white.
- Pain in the groin, lower back, lower abdomen
- Against the background of immunopathological reactions, changes develop in the organs and systems of the woman’s body:
- Adnexitis (salpingoophoritis, salpingitis, oophoritis)- pain is localized either in only one side, or in both sides in the area of the uterine appendages, often the pain radiates to the lower back. In acute inflammatory process it is possible that the body temperature may rise from 37 to 38 C, the woman is bothered by discharge and constant pain.
- Cervicitis- upon examination, the gynecologist observes erosion of the cervix, the cervix may be enlarged, swollen, inflamed, and bloody discharge from the cervix is also possible.
- Endometritis- an acute process is characterized by high fever, pain in the lower abdomen, discharge can be different, both purulent and bloody. The chronic process is characterized by disruptions in the menstrual cycle, scanty or, conversely, heavy discharge during menstruation.
Symptoms of chlamydia in men
The insidiousness of this disease lies in the fact that with chlamydia in men, there are no symptoms for a long time; for a long time, the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms occurs asymptomatically. Only when a man develops complications, such as inflammation of the bladder, testicle, prostate, as well as the occurrence of infertility or impotence, does the man seek medical help.
If you do not contact specialists in time and do not diagnose the disease, often chlamydia in men who have not been treated turns into chronic urogenital chlamydia. Moreover, during the period of remission there are no signs of illness, but during periods of exacerbation all the symptoms of acute chlamydia appear.
- After infection, inflammation of the urethra most often occurs first. Chlamydia in men after infection can appear only after 7-28 days in the form of unpleasant sensations during urination, burning, itching, cloudy first drops of urine.
- The appearance of colorless fluid from the urethra, which most often occurs in the morning.
- Unpleasant sensations in the groin, possible pain in the lower back, perineum, fever up to 37.5C.
- The outside of the urethra may be red, swollen, and painful.
- In the future, when chlamydia is not treated in a man, serious diseases may occur, such as prostatitis, epididymitis, orchitis, etc., with their inherent symptoms.
You can read more about chlamydia in men, symptoms and treatment in our article
Chlamydia in women and men - treatment
All information about medicines and treatment regimens are intended for informational purposes only. Treatment of chlamydia should be prescribed only by a qualified doctor based on test results and the patient’s medical history.
All antibiotics for chlamydia can be divided into the following groups according to their action inside the cell:
- low degree of penetration into the cell - in penicillins, nitroimidazoles, cephalosporins
- moderate degree - aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones
- high degree of y - azalides and macrolides
- Azithromycin 500 mg 2 tablets. once, or
- Doxycycline 0.1 twice a day for 7 days.
Second row:
- Erythromycin 500 mg 4 times a day for 6 hours 7 days
- Ofloxacin 300 mg twice daily every 12 hours for 7 days
- Roxithromycin 150 mg twice daily every 12 hours 7 days
- Spiramycin 3 million units every 8 hours 7 days
For pregnant:
- Erythromycin 500 mg every 6 hours 4 times a day for 7 days
- Josamycin 750 mg 3 times a day after 8 hours 7 days
- Spiramycin 3 million units every 8 hours 3 times a day for 7 days.
Read more about the treatment of chlamydia in our article Duration of treatment complicated forms Chlamydia infection increases and should be at least 2-3 weeks.
Local treatment of chlamydia in women:
- Betadine suppositories - in the vagina at night for 2 weeks.
- Tetracycline ointment - tampons in the vagina in the morning and evening for up to 2 weeks
- Erythromycin ointment - tampons in the evening and morning for 10-14 days.
- Vaginal cream Dalacin C - at night for a week, 5 g dispensed into the vagina.
Chlamydia gained its popularity in the middle of the last century. To date, it has been proven that chlamydia is the causative agent of the most common and insidious disease called chlamydia, which is often asymptomatic and leads to serious complications.
Chlamydia has a set of antigens - foreign organic matter, which can provoke a response from the human body in the form of the formation of appropriate antibodies to destroy them.
It is known that the genus of chlamydia has several dozen species that affect the body not only of humans, but also of animals, birds, fish, plants and mollusks. But the most dangerous chlamydia for humans are Chlamidiya trachomatis and Chlamidiya pneumoniae. However, other members of the genus can also provoke the development of the disease in humans.
All types of chlamydia are susceptible to broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Routes of infection and signs of chlamydia.
The most serious disease caused by chlamydia of the genus Chlamydia trachomatis is urogenital chlamydia, which is sexually transmitted through contact with a sick person. However, only people with weakened immune systems often get sick. You can also “catch” chlamydia through everyday life, for example, by using one towel, while swimming in a pool, etc.
In most cases, chlamydia disease is asymptomatic, which is its peculiarity, causing inflammation in various genital organs (mucous cervical canal). Seven out of ten women with this disease did not experience any unusual symptoms. The course of chlamydia in women is accompanied by liquid mucous or mucopurulent vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor and a yellowish tint. In addition, with the development of this disease, itching and burning, intermenstrual bleeding, weak painful sensations in the area of the external and internal genital organs, frequent urge to urinate, painful urination, pronounced pain in the lower abdomen, intensifying before the onset of menstruation, the presence of redness and swelling at the exit of the urethra. In addition, often in women with this disease, the temperature rises and general weakness of the body is observed. Despite the symptoms described above, there are still no main signs indicating chlamydia.
Therefore, a woman’s internal feelings that something is wrong in the sexual sphere are a powerful argument for contacting a gynecologist and conducting an examination. All young women and their men who plan to become parents are required to be tested for chlamydia.
After some time, these symptoms disappear, the person calms down, but the disease does not disappear at all, but becomes chronic. Chlamydia quickly spreads throughout the body and infects healthy columnar epithelial cells. After a couple of months, untreated chlamydia causes complications in the eyes, as a result of which the person begins to go blind. In addition, the joints may swell and stop moving, and this already indicates the development of Reiter's disease.
The presence of chlamydia in the female body negatively affects her health, especially reproductive function. Chlamydia is often the cause of miscarriage or intrauterine infection of the fetus, the development of tubal obstruction (adhesions), and, as a consequence, ectopic pregnancy, as well as infertility. In most cases, chlamydia does not manifest itself in any way, which is its main danger for a woman, since she does not even suspect its presence.
Chlamydia poses a particular danger during pregnancy, as it causes a number of serious complications: miscarriage early stages pregnancy or premature rupture of amniotic fluid and premature birth - in later stages. In addition, the risk of infection of the fetus increases sharply, which often ends sadly.
Chlamydia does not always cause complications in all women. The severity of chlamydia is influenced by the strain of chlamydia, the woman’s genetics, her hormonal levels, as well as the presence or absence of immune disorders. It should be noted that eliminating the possibility of re-infection with chlamydia is of great importance for a woman’s health. After the disease is cured, the body does not develop immunity to chlamydia, so you can easily become infected with chlamydia again through contact with an infected partner. That is why it is recommended that both partners undergo treatment for chlamydia in order to prevent re-infection.
Diagnosis of chlamydia.
Diagnostics using special laboratory methods can detect chlamydia. A flora smear (simple bacterioscopy) as a method for diagnosing chlamydia is considered ineffective, since the probability of an erroneous analysis is high (80%). In addition, it is not timely, since it shows the presence of few infections. However, many women still consider this type of laboratory diagnosis to be effective and the only one. If given a choice, preference should be given to more modern methods diagnostics And if you have a choice, choose more modern methods laboratory diagnostics.
The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method is considered the most sensitive to the presence of chlamydia, during which signs of chlamydia DNA are found in the blood of women using the polymerase chain reaction method and antibodies (immunoglobulins) to chlamydia, which can be very different. For example, immunoglobulin for acute infection is IgA, and for chronic infection - IgG.
DNA diagnostics today is the newest and most accurate method for determining the presence of chlamydia.
If urogenital chlamydia is not treated, it will lead to irreversible changes in the genitals. Therefore, if symptoms of an unusual nature occur, you should definitely visit a gynecologist as quickly as possible. Remember, only early diagnosis disease is effective method preventing the development of serious complications.
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