KissMeGoodnight
eLearning Series:
Your Sexual Health
What
Is Chlamydia? A Trend In Teens
Stores now sell an at-home test for chlamydia,
which is good thing because a teenager is not likely to make
a doctor’s visit to find out if they have this sexually transmitted
disease. It is hard enough being a teenager with all they go
through. Teenagers embarrass easily and the sheer thought of
having possibly contracted a disease ranks right up there with
everything else they will not confide in any adult. Because
of the possibility of not seeing a doctor when they think they
should, chlamydia will only get worse.
This disease does not announce its arrival. It sneaks in through,
mimicking other symptoms that do not seem as severe, such as
urinary tract infections. If the teenager or adult mistakes
these symptoms and does not make a medical appointment, they
may choose to purchase an over-the-counter medication. Sometimes
the symptoms of chlamydia may actually subside. This gives
the false sense that you have taken care of the embarrassing
problem, only you have not. The symptoms will resurface and
this time will be more intense than the last time. Eventually
you will have to make an appointment with your doctor, so you
are better off to do it at the beginning of symptoms rather
than later.
Chlamydia is spread from person to person through sexual contact,
either through the vaginal or anus. This infection
is a bacterium. The danger you pose to other sexual partners is that you may
not be aware you have this disease or have misdiagnosed the
symptoms. If you have tried to treat it yourself and you have
not told any of your sexual partners, you have now put them
at risk of the disease. If you are not in a monogamous relationship,
they will then spread the disease to whom ever they sleep with
and it begins to spiral out of control.
If you think you may have chlamydia, some
symptoms that you may notice include a yellowish vaginal
discharge for women
and a penile discharge for men. You may also experience some
pelvic pain as the symptoms worsen. If you choose not to treat
chlamydia and simply ignore it, women run the risk of infertility
and men can experience a very comfortable infection in the
testes or prostate.
Chlamydia
is spread through unsafe sexual behavior with another
infected person. The risk is increased through engaging in
high-risk behavior with more than one partner. The chance of
becoming infected with chlamydia can be reduced by avoiding
risky sexual behaviors. To reduce your risk you should use
latex or polyurethane condoms during sex and limit your sexual
partners.
In women, symptoms of chlamydia may include a yellowish vaginal
discharge, bleeding after intercourse, spot bleeding in between
your cycles, and pelvic pain. Symptoms of chlamydia in men
may include a yellowish discharge from the penis and when urinating,
you may experience burning, and testicles are painful or swollen.
In women, untreated chlamydia can spread into the pelvic area
and infect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, leading
to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) the symptoms of PID include
abdominal pain, lower back pain, pain with intercourse, spot
bleeding between your cycles, and a high temperature. In men,
untreated chlamydia can affect the testicles, leading to swelling
and pain along with infertility. Pelvic inflammatory disease
is a serious disease and does require medical attention. It
may cause permanent damage to a woman's reproductive organs
and can lead to infertility.
What is the impact of chlamydia on pregnancy? Chlamydia can
cause early labor and delivery and can be passed from mother
to baby during birth. If a newborn were to be infected with
chlamydia, they can develop conjunctivitis and pneumonia. If
the infant does not receive treatment for this, there can be
serious and permanent damage to the eyes.
The diagnosis of chlamydia is done through a laboratory with
a urine sample you give to your doctor or a swab taken of the
cervix. If you are a man, either a urine sample or a swab of
your urethra will be taken.
Is there a treatment or cure for chlamydia? Chlamydia can
be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. Often if you
have chlamydia, there is a high probability that you have contracted
gonorrhea also so you would be treated for both at the same
time. # # # # #
KissMeGoodnight.com
: 2006
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