In the grand scheme of STDs, chlamydia is generally regarded as one of the “not so bad” diseases out there. Most people don’t tend to regard chlamydia as a life-changing disease such as HIV; however, if left untreated, chlamydia can come with its own share of long-term repercussions. Tracey Powell is the founder and CEO of getSTDtested.com, an online STD testing company dedicated to protecting customer privacy, and he stresses the importance of educating people about the facts and risks of chlamydia so that they can protect themselves from the infection and its potential health effects. The following are some things that everyone should know about chlamydia:
It’s more common than you might think
Chlamydia is actually the most frequently-reported bacterial STD in the United States. Though the disease tends to affect women more so than men, men are just as likely to contract the disease and spread it on to their partners. In fact, since men are less likely to ever show any symptoms from the infection, they often walk around unaware that they have the disease, and women then become more frequently re-infected due to their sexual partners not being treated.
It can get complicated
Chlamydia is one of those diseases that, if left untreated, can have some serious long-term side effects, particularly for women. While complications among men are rare, untreated chlamydia can cause irreversible damage in women, including chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancies (pregnancies that occur outside the uterus). Women who are infected with chlamydia are also more likely to contract HIV if exposed. In order to ensure early detection and prevent an untreated infection from causing irreversible damage, regular screenings for chlamydia are essential and are recommended for all sexually active adults.
It often doesn’t come with symptoms
One of the scariest things about chlamydia is the fact that it often comes with no recognizable symptoms. For this reason, it’s important to get tested for chlamydia even if you have no physical symptoms that the disease might be present.
It can be easily treated and cured
When caught early, chlamydia can be nipped in the bud before the infected party experiences any sort of side effects. Treatment can be given in as little as a single dose of antibiotics, though sometimes a full week of medication is needed to eliminate the infection. In fact, one of the most ironic things about chlamydia is the fact that it can be cured in a snap as long as a doctor knows to treat it — all the more reason for people to get tested for it on a regular basis.
It can be prevented
The best way to avoid chlamydia, as well as any STD for that matter, is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and confirmed to be uninfected. Chlamydia can be transmitted during various types of sexual activity and intercourse. Condoms can help reduce the risk of spreading chlamydia from one person to another, though they offer no absolute guarantees.
Now that you know the facts about chlamydia, discuss chlamydia testing with your doctor if you feel that you are at risk. If you’re uncomfortable doing so, then you can always visit getSTDtested.com and order your own chlamydia test online. Remember, chlamydia is something that doesn’t have to be a long-term problem as long as you don’t let it become one. Get tested so that you can cross chlamydia off your list of things to worry about.
