Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) or Sexually Transmitted Infectious (STIs) is generally acquired through sexual contact. The organisms (bacteria, virus or parasites) that cause sexually transmitted diseases can be passed from one person to another via vaginal, anal or oral sex. Some STIs can also be spread through non-sexual means such as blood transfusions, shared needles or from mother to infant during pregnancy or childbirth.
Over thirty different viruses, parasites, and bacteria are thought to be transferred by sexual contact, some of which are associated to sexually transmitted diseases. Some are curable, while others are incurable but can be modified or reduced with treatment.
There are different types of sexually transmitted diseases but our focus will be on Chlamydia and its effects on fertility.
What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by infection with Chlamydia Trachomatis. It affects mostly young adults and teenagers but can occur in all age groups. It is very common with younger women because they tend to use hormonal birth control as an alternate to having sexual intercourse without using a condom. This may leave them exposed to chlamydia infection. Though the pill, implant, coil and other forms of hormonal birth control prevent pregnancy, they offer no protection against STIs. Chlamydia is a bacterial disease and these bacteria invade the cells that line the opening to the uterus. It is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection. However a large number of cases are not reported because most people with chlamydia are asymptomatic and do not seek testing. If left untreated, chlamydia can move into the reproductive tract where it can cause problems with fertility. Chlamydia infection in women can cause cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix) and urethritis (inflammation of the urethral). It can also cause proctitis (inflammation of the anus and the lining of the rectum) in both men and women.
Who is at risk for chlamydia?
• Any sexually active individual can get infected with chlamydia, especially young people because they do not use condoms consistently and also, some adolescents move from one monogamous relationship to the next more rapidly thus increasing the chances of transmission.
• Young women and teenage girls may have cervical ectopy (a condition where cells lining the inside of the cervix grows outside) which may likely be sensitive to chlamydial infection.
• Homosexuals are also at risk for chlamydial infection because it can be transmitted by oral sex or anal sex with men having sex with men.
• Having previous history of sexually transmitted infection.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CHLAMYDIA
Chlamydia is a silent infection because it is usually asymptomatic(not showing symptoms)and lacks a noticeable sign upon physical examination, which makes it easy to spread the infection. When symptoms appear, they usually range from mild to severe. These are:
• Discharge from the penis in men
• Painful or discomforting urination
• Testicular pain or tenderness
• Swelling in the scrotum
• Vaginal discharge in women
• Painful intercourse in women
• Bleeding between periods and after sex in women
• Genital itching
• Chlamydial eye infections
• Rectal pain or bleeding
• Abdominal /Pelvic pain
COMPLICATIONS OF CHLAMYDIA INFECTION
The initial damage of chlamydia can be asymptomatic, but chlamydia infections can lead to serious health issues with both long and short term consequence. If left untreated it can cause the following complications:
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): This is an infection that occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria spread from the vagina to the uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes which causes pelvic pain and fever. If the infection is severe, it might require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics. PID can damage the fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus and the cervix. A prompt PID treatment helps to avoid complications such as infertility.
• Ectopic pregnancy: Chlamydia infection increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when fertilized eggs implants and grow outside the uterus (womb), usually in the fallopian tube. The pregnancy needs to be removed to prevent life threatening complications, such as a burst tube if stretched too much by the growing pregnancy.
• Infection to newborns: Chlamydia infection may be passed from the vaginal canal to the baby during delivery which may lead to pneumonia, cough, rapid breathing, serious eye infection (conjunctivitis) with redness, swelling and discharge.
• Epididymitis (infection near the testicles): This is an inflammation of the epididymis (coiled tube) beside each testicle that stores and carries sperm. This is often caused by chlamydia infection. This infection can result into fever, scrotal pain and swelling.
• Prostate gland infection: On rare occasions, chlamydia organisms may spread to a man’s prostate gland. Prostatitis (swelling of the prostate gland that produces seminal fluid) causes pain during or after sex, fever, painful urination and lower back pain.
• Reactive arthritis: People with chlamydia infection are at a higher risk of developing reactive arthritis also known as Reiter’s syndrome. This is a condition that affects the joints, eyes, urethra (the tube that carries urine outside of the body) and skin…………….….TO BE CONTINUED
