Chlamydia

Signs and Symptoms:

If you or your partner show these any of these symptoms, then both partners need to be treated.

Pain or burning while urinating
Lower abdominal pain
Pain, discharge around the anus if anal intercourse
Redness or itchiness, discharge around eyes

Women:

Abnormal vaginal discharge (possibly a strong smell with yellowish discharge)
Bleeding between periods
Pain during sex with vaginal swelling
Dysuria
Frequent urination
Could include low grade fever
Possible nausea

Men:

Most likely to appear in the morning
Pus or a watery/milky discharge from the penis.
Pain and /or swelling in one or both testicles.
Pain during sex

Some people with Chlamydia dont have symptoms or very mild symptoms which are mistaken for something else.

Chlamydia Trachomtis

Bacterial STD

Why get tested for Chlamydia:

Chlamydia can lead to serious infections, possible fertility while being easy to cure, so rather go to an STD clinic and get tested.

Get tested for Clamydia:

https://www.better2know.co.za/

https://www.mariestopes.org.za/hiv-sti-testing/

https://www.westerncape.gov.za/service/sexually-transmitted-infections

Chlamydia and preganancy:

Infections can be passed onto the baby during the pregnancy or during the birth. Untreated the infection can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes causing pelvic inflamatory disease. (PID can cause permanent damage to the reproductive system)

Babies can get serious eye infections, pneumonia and cause premature pregnancy. All of these are serious and could cause infant deaths.

Testing happens at clinic visits, which make these vital for any pregnant women as soon as possible.

The testing happens with a simple swab.

Treatment of Chlamydia:

Normally azithromycin will be prescribed for Clamydia or doxycyline. These are tablets, easy to take with minimal side effects.
You need to have a proper dignosis done however and may not self treat, as the correct dose, for the correct amount of time needs to be give. And the infection should be confirmed by a medical physician or district professional nurse with the legal authorisation to give the medication.
What happens when I dont follow the dosage?
The bacteria become resistant to the medication, making it soooo much more difficult to treat.
Your and your baby's life is not worth it! Rather get tested follow the treatment correctly.

Possible risk for Chlamydia:

Having more than one sexual partner

Unprotected sex, vaginal, oral, anal.

Prevention of Chlamydia / reduce risk of getting chlamydia.

Limit sexual partners
Get regular testing / screening
Know your and your partner's status
Avoid douching
Condoms lower risk, but are not fool proof and there is still a risk
Dont have sex!

CDC information and forms for Chlamydia

PROTECT

PREPARE

EDUCATE

CARE

Sponsorships

Business resources

Nursing Info South Africa