Chlamydia is one of the common sexually transmitted infections or diseases, which may or may not cause some unpleasant signs and symptoms. Chlamydia might be difficult to detect since there are usually no visible or palpable signs. Sometimes the symptoms of chlamydia are so minor that people miss them, or they have been mistaken for something else. Most individuals are unaware they have chlamydia, which is one of the reasons it is such a prevalent illness and why it is critical to be checked and screened.

Does Chlamydia Have A Smell?

If chlamydia infection is symptomatic, it may have a pungent smell and abnormal discharge. The signs and symptoms of chlamydia may only appear few weeks after the initial infection, and these symptoms can develop in both men and women, which include:

• Painful, burning or itching sensation over the lower abdomen, genital or affected area.
• Painful, burning sensation or discomfort during urination.
• Painful intercourse.
• Irregular vaginal discharges in women, usually yellowish in colour and have a pungent odor.
• Abnormal bleeding per vaginal or intermenstrual bleed.
• Pus, milky or abnormal discharge from the penis.
• Painful or enlarged testicles.
• Anal discomfort, discharge, or bleeding.

If you have chlamydia in your eyes, you may experience pain, discomfort, redness, skin discoloration around the affected eye, itching, and discharge. Chlamydia infections may occur in the throat as well, fortunately such occurrence is fairly uncommon.

If you or your partner experience any of these symptoms suggestive of chlamydia infection, seek medical attention as soon as possible from your local health centers, clinics or hospitals. Furthermore, it is extremely vital to be checked out for chlamydia infection especially in individuals who are pregnant, because chlamydia infection has potential to cause vertical transmission, hence causing complications to the newborn.

Remember that most persons with chlamydia infection exhibit no symptoms at all. As a result, the only guaranteed method to know if you have chlamydia is to be screened and tested. It is highly recommended for individuals who are sexually active, have multiple partners, or with partners who have had chlamydia infection.

Is Chlamydia treatable?

The excellent news is that chlamydia can be properly treated once it has been identified. Because chlamydia is a serious threat to a woman’s health and is a treatable bacterial infection, the CDC advises that women under the age of 25 get an annual chlamydia screening.

Screening, test and treatment are the most effective ways to eliminate chlamydia and avoid serious complications. To treat the illness, you must take all of the medications suggested by your doctor, especially the specific antibiotics as chlamydia is a bacterial infection. You must not share chlamydia medications with anybody, even your spouse, finish the entire prescribed medication to prevent incomplete treatment. The rationale for this is because the bacteria’s remnants may still be present in the body even after the symptoms are relieved, posing a risk of further problems.

Chlamydia reinfection is possible even after treatment. It is important to protect oneself during intercourse by utilising measures such as latex male condoms. When used properly and on a regular basis, these condoms can reduce the chance of getting or transferring chlamydia to one another. Avoiding vaginal, anal, and oral sex throughout the infection or being involved in multiple partner relationships or with a partner who has been tested with chlamydia and is known to be untreated is one of the most effective methods of avoiding chlamydia.

If your partner(s) were treated for chlamydia, you must be retested three months after treatment to establish your infective status.