All About Chlamydia Infection: The Silent STD

Chlamydia infection is a common sexually transmitted disease that affects approximately 129 million people all over the world.¹ Undiagnosed chlamydia infection in men and women is dangerous and so is the stigma of not speaking about it. 

Did you know, roughly 75% of women and 50% of men suffering from this 'silent' disease are oblivious to the condition slowly and steadily spreading in their bodies, leading to further serious complications.² Thus, it becomes important to get more insights about what Chlamydia is, its symptoms, prevention and the treatments. 

What Is Chlamydia? 

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by the  Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia infection is generally transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal, and sometimes oral sex with an infected person.³ Also, it can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact of infected genitals, facilitated by the presence of the bacteria in vaginal discharge or semen. It is to be noted that without the use of a barrier, such as a condom, the infection can spread through contact even if there is no penetration, orgasm, or ejaculation involved.³

Another method of transmission of Chlamydia includes infection from mother to baby during childbirth. Infected mothers can pass the bacteria to their baby's eyes causing conjunctivitis (pink eye) infection. Chlamydia infection also causes pneumonia and respiratory issues in infants.⁴

However, Chlamydial infection doesn't spread through casual contact. Hence a person cannot get infected by simply sharing drinks or food, sitting on the toilet, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing.³

Who Is At Risk For Chlamydia?

While both women and men are affected by it, infection rates remain higher among women.⁵ Having said that, anyone who is sexually active can be at risk for chlamydia, but some individuals may be more likely to contract the infection than others.⁶ In general, people who have unprotected sex with multiple partners, or who have sex with someone who has multiple partners, are at higher risk for chlamydia.

Additionally, young people under the age of 25, women, and men who have sex with men are also at increased risk.⁶ Certain behaviors, such as having sex without a condom or engaging in sexual activity at a young age, can also increase the risk of chlamydia. ⁷ Let us now understand the symptoms of Chlamydia.

Symptoms Of Chlamydial Infection?

Chlamydia infection is often referred to as a 'silent disease' because of the absence of symptoms. However, some generic symptoms include pain, a burning sensation while urinating, and unusual discharge from vagina or penis. Symptoms also differ between men and women.³

Symptoms in men include pain and swelling of the testicles, unusual penile discharge, and a burning sensation while peeing.³ In contrast, women show symptoms like abdominal pain, unusual discharge from vagina, inflammation in the cervix, and abnormal bleeding in between periods.³

Therefore, if you suspect you might be at the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you must know the preventive measures to safeguard yourself from chlamydial infection.

Key Takeaway!

Chlamydial infection is not a chronic, life-threatening disease. However, if left undiagnosed, it may lead to other health issues that are much worse. Hence, it is better to prepare than to repair. The symptoms can be prevented by using simple measures such as barriers like condoms during unprotected sex, etc. Overall, a little bit of caution, awareness and effort can safeguard  a person from sexually transmitted infections. 

If you are experiencing any symptoms, it is important to seek medical assistance without hesitation. However, if privacy concerns or reluctance to leave your home are hindering you from getting tested, we have a solution. You can now be tested for your condition from the comfort of your own home, providing a significant relief.

So, don’t shy away from seeking medical help if you are experiencing any symptoms. But, if you are still hesitant about moving out to get yourself tested and have privacy concerns, then LifeCell’s at-home STD Test for Male and STD Test for Female has got you covered. 

They are a one-of-a-kind kit that detects 7 common STIs in males and 8 in females from the comfort of your home. These at-home test kits provide you insight into your sexual health and strike out the possibility of undiagnosed Chlamydia infection, along with other STDs like Gonorrhoea, HPV, and many more. Moreover, the test utilizes the advanced RT-PCR method to provide accurate and rapid results within 3 days of receiving the sample in the laboratory.

Remember, while chlamydia may not pose a significant threat, the danger lies in the silence and neglect towards the infection.