Chlamydia

Definition and causes

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in Denmark. About 25,000 cases diagnosed each year, and as the disease is not always symptoms, the real figure is probably somewhat higher. The disease is caused by the bacteriumchlamydia trachomatisThose living in the mucous membranes. In women infected mucous membranes in the cervical canal as a rule, while women most often infect the urethra and alternative mucous membranes in the end the intestine.

Bacteria can not multiply and living outside the cells in the mucous membranes, but one of the stages in its life cycle are able to survive briefly outside the cells. It is chlamydia bacteria in this stage of their life cycle that can survive the transfer to other people and thus constitutes the risk of infection by the disease.

The transmission path is referred to sexual transmission, and it can not be transmitted by contact with other sheets, where one has been infected, as is the case of gonorrhea. The emergence of this disease often have symptoms, making it difficult to eradicate, since there are many symptom-free carriers around.

Symptoms of chlamydia

Often there are no symptoms. It is believed that around. half of all infected have no symptoms or only mild symptoms so that they do not go to the doctor.

In men, symptoms includevaginal discharge, Usually whitish from the urethra, andsting on urination(often described as "the pee Cullet"). In women the symptoms of the vagina, in the form ofvaginal dischargeor, in more complicated cases,Range bleedingorbleeding intercourseWhen the penis hits the cervix irritated.

Precautions and diagnosis

Earlier, it was necessary that all those who were tested for chlamydia, would have created a graft with a special swab. This was the men's event in the urethra, and women in the cervix. Now, the men went over to using urine samples, which can detect bacterial DNA. Women must continue to have carried out graft from the cervix. This is done in connection with a gynecological examination.

If you have any reason to believe that one can be infected, it is very important to go to the doctor and be tested. Although we do not have symptoms, the disease can have serious consequences if not treated (see below). If you get diagnosed with chlamydia, it is important to contact the partners who may have transmitted the infection, or which can be achieved to have infected so that they can be tested and treated.

Treatment of Chlamydia

Most cases of chlamydia treated with a single dose of azitromycin, which is an antibiotic to cure most cases. It is important that both the investigation and his partner is treated as infection or uværgeligt will come again.
In some cases, a single dose is not enough, and a cure with higher doses over time may be necessary.

Select and complications

Since the disease can be asymptomatic in part, it may spread and give complications. In men prostate cancer can be infected with prostate inflammation effect, which is a painful condition. In women is the most feared complication spread to the ovaries, thereby abdominal inflammation. This could potentially lead to infertility due arvæv formation of egg heads. Women with arvæv formation of egg-heads are also in increased risk of developing pregnancy outside the uterus, then the egg can not be p
Newborn infants of women with untreated chlamydia infection are at risk of developing eye inflammation with chlamydia.

Prevention of Chlamydia

The only way to prevent chlamydia infections is to "have sex with prudence". This includes primarily the use of condoms by sex. Condom is the only form of contraception that protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Neither the pill, diaphragm, spermicides cream, spiral or pulling out before the trigger reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, an increased risk with the number of sexpartnere.