How To Know If You Have Chlamydia

With symptoms that are not always present, you may wonder how to know if you have chlamydia. The fact that many people who have chlamydia do not have symptoms makes diagnosing hard. However, having testing done regularly can lead to early detection and proper treatment. Safe sexual activities prevents chlamydia and other STDs.

Symptoms often go unnoticed. According to the Center of Disease Control, "chlamydia is known as a 'silent' disease because the majority of infected people have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within one to three weeks after exposure.” Women may experience vaginal discharge and pain during urination. Lower abdominal pain, nausea, fever and pain during intercourse are also possible symptoms. Left untreated, the infection spreads to the fallopian tubes, which can lead to infertility. Men may also experience discomfort during urinating, burning around the opening of the penis and discharge. Very few men report swelling of the testicles, but swelling is a possibility. Symptoms can also occur in the rectum or throat from anal or oral sex with an infected person. Rectum symptoms include discharge, pain and bleeding.

The surest way to prevent contracting chlamydia is abstinence. Most people are not willing to sustain from sex. As an alternative, you should only start a sexual relationship with a monogamous partner who has a clean bill of health. Another alternative is proper and consistent use of latex condoms.

A course of antibiotics treat and cure chlamydia, but the lack of symptoms often leave the infection untreated. Getting tested annually and reporting any changes to the doctor as they occur helps. It is important to diagnosis and treat chlamydia to prevent future fertility problems.