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Sexually transmitted diseases are more widespread than you might think. The best-known diseases include HIV, syphilis, hepatitis and herpes. But an infection with chlamydia is also widespread.
A chlamydia test is therefore advisable if you have an active sex life in order to safeguard your own sexual health, contain possible consequences at an early stage and protect other people. Information on the chlamydia test, symptoms, treatment and consequences of an infection can be found in this article.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) differ in that they are either bacterial pathogens, such as syphilis or gonorrhea, or viral pathogens such as herpes (HSV-2), hepatitis B or HIV. In the case of chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis), it is bacteria that cause inflammation in various areas of the body.
Often in mucous membranes, urethra, rectum or cervix. Chlamydia can also cause inflammation in the mouth, throat or eyes. In contrast to viral diseases, however, these pathogens spread on the mucous membranes and attack the environment, so that they can continue to multiply if the infection is left untreated.
While some sexually transmitted diseases are easy to contain, they remain in the body for life, such as hepatitis B or herpes. Chlamydia, on the other hand, is easily treatable and can often be combated quickly with antibiotics if it is detected early. For pregnant women, a chlamydia test is one of the legally required examinations.
To determine whether you have a chlamydia infection, the chlamydia test usually involves either a swab or a urine test. Depending on where you want to do your test, you can either go to your urology, dermatology or gynecology department.
In a urine test, the sample is sent to the laboratory and tested for the pathogens using the PCR method. Young women under 25 are routinely tested for chlamydia once a year using a urine sample. A swab test involves testing different parts of the body, as the pathogen can spread to different mucous membranes. A swab of the mouth, but also of the vagina, penis and anus is useful.
Chlamydia is usually transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. Contact between infectious mucous membranes is the active point of transmission and can therefore take place through vaginal, oral and anal sex.
If you have recently changed your sexual partner, had unprotected sex or a former partner has told you about an infection, then a chlamydia test is an important step for you and your health. But an early diagnosis is also important if you are worried about a possible infestation or if you are pregnant. The sooner the infection is detected and treated, the less severe the consequences and the spread can be prevented.
The incubation period for a chlamydia infection is one to three weeks, in some cases six weeks. If you notice any symptoms after a sexual partner within this period, a chlamydia test is an important step for you. If the result is positive, antibiotics will be prescribed by your practice and the pathogens will be eliminated.
If you are unsure when and whether a chlamydia test is advisable for you, the following criteria can help you:
If you experience unusual discharge, burning, discomfort or pain when urinating, this could be the first sign of an infection. Pain can also occur in acute areas, for example in the throat or in the genital area in general. Women may continue to experience bleeding and pain during sexual intercourse, as well as abdominal pain and in some cases even fever.
In most cases, however, an infection with chlamydia is asymptomatic and the spread of the infection is unconscious, which is why a regular chlamydia test is advisable for everyone to avoid later consequences and further spread.
Infections that remain untreated due to ignorance or neglect can have serious consequences. In women, an untreated infection can even lead to infertility. In this case, the bacteria infect the uterus, where they multiply and settle in the fallopian tubes.
This causes them to stick together and thus restricts fertility. For pregnant women, premature birth or rupture of the membranes could be a possible consequence of chlamydia. The newborn child can also become infected with chlamydia and develop conjunctivitis and pneumonia.
In men, an untreated chlamydia infection can lead to inflammation of the prostate and epididymis, but urethral stricture can also be a possible consequence. In some cases and depending on the intensity of the infection, this can also affect fertility.
Due to the various ways of becoming infected with chlamydia, the bacterial infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Usually asymptomatic, infection occurs through direct contact of the mucous membranes and through unprotected sexual intercourse.
The consequences of non-treatment can be enormous, so the sooner an infection is detected, the better the chances of a quick recovery.
If your chlamydia test is positive, you will be given antibiotics and treated by your doctor. In this way, serious consequences can be avoided.
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