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Whether chlamydia g is transmitted to a partner. How is chlamydia transmitted: ways of infection

One of the most common sexually transmitted diseases is. Revealed among sexually active men and women of any age category. This pathology poses a serious danger to human life. If treatment is not started in a timely manner, serious problems may occur, which often lead to infertility and other pathologies of the reproductive system.

Interesting to know: In addition to humans, chlamydia is found in birds, animals, fish, molluscs, and arthropods.

The disease occurs when the cells of the human body are affected by chlamydia. Chlamydia infections are caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The chlamydia bacterium is unique because it combines the characteristics of viruses and bacteria:

  • They can penetrate cells, multiply rapidly, behaving like a virus;
  • As bacteria, they have a definite inclusion to the cell wall, multiply by simple division and are sensitive to antibiotics.

Today, doctors have identified fifteen varieties of chlamydia. Everyone has their own way of getting infected. The common thing is that when it enters the human body, the causative agent of chlamydia passes into a "sleeping" form. Even after the incubation period, the disease may not manifest itself in any way or manifest itself weakly (read our article on). Therefore, the carrier of the infection poses a serious danger to their sexual partners.
There are 2 stages in the chlamydia life cycle:

  1. infectious- when the infection can live outside the cell. At this stage, chlamydia are sensitive to high temperatures, ultraviolet rays, hydrogen peroxide;
  2. Reticular- the infection is in the cell and multiplies. At this stage, chlamydia, chemotherapy drugs.

Chlamydia penetrates the cell in 4 hours, and the full cycle of introduction takes 2-4 days. During this period, the infection has several variants of development. If the cell is resistant, then the chlamydia remain inside it and do not develop. If the cell is weak, the infection multiplies beyond it. At any convenient moment, chlamydia begin to spread, attach to healthy cells. Especially often it affects the cells of the genitourinary system.


The reasons for the entry of the pathogen into the human body are numerous. But how is chlamydia transmitted? The most common cause of chlamydia in women and men is sexual contact. Even with protected sex, there is a possibility of transmission from the carrier. The risk of infection during an unprotected act in women is 50%, in men - 70%. The disease manifests itself in only 25% of those infected. For the rest, it has a hidden form. Causes of chlamydia can be different. In addition to transmission through sexual contact, chlamydia can be contracted in the following ways:

  • from mother to child. If a pregnant woman has a pathology, then there is a chance that the child may become infected while passing through the birth canal. In a newborn, the infection can manifest itself in the form of conjunctivitis, inflammation of the lungs and nasopharynx, and trachoma. Presence can lead to premature birth and low birth weight in the baby;
  • household way. Infection with chlamydia by household occurs in extremely rare cases through hygiene products: a common towel, washcloth, linen. Also, there is a chance of getting infected through dirty hands if there was contact with the infection, and then with the genitals. Although doctors are still arguing whether it is possible to transmit chlamydia trachomatis through everyday life. This type of chlamydia is sensitive to the external environment, quickly dies;
  • through pets, especially through cats. Cats are carriers of the infection. There is a possibility of transmission of infection to humans;
  • Another way of infection with chlamydia is airborne. Chlamydia pneumoniae is transmitted through the air by contact with a carrier. The cause of the transmission of chlamydia disease can be bronchitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, etc., however, if a person has strong immunity, there is a high probability of avoiding infection.

About 15 species of the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis are known to cause chlamydia in men and women. Along with chlamydia, infection with other STIs can occur.


Chlamydia during oral and vaginal sex

Infection during vaginal sex occurs in 50% of cases in women and 70% in men. Despite the fact that the infection affects the genitourinary system, infection also occurs:

  • during oral sex, the throat is also affected;
  • anal sex can lead to infection of the esophagus.

If you have chlamydia, you should refrain from intimate life. In all types of sexual contact, infection occurs.

Is chlamydia transmitted by kissing?

While kissing, there is a possibility of transmission of chlamydia through saliva. Such cases are known to medicine in less than one percent of cases. True, for the transmission of chlamydia, the following factors must be observed:

  • the appearance of chlamydia in the mouth;
  • the concentration of chlamydia in saliva;
  • reduced immunity.

Can you get chlamydia in a pool?

As in everyday cases, there is a chance of contracting chlamydia in the pool. Only infection occurs not through water, but through hygiene products, linen, and common items. Infection in the pool in showers and changing rooms is extremely rare, because chlamydia needs special conditions to survive. At high temperatures, it dies. The best temperature for this bacterium is minus. In such conditions, she can live up to 10 months.

Important to know: Cases of chlamydia infection in children are known.

Prevention of chlamydia

The best prevention for chlamydia is to avoid factors that can lead to infection:

  • one sexual proven partner;
  • in case of casual sexual intercourse, protect yourself with a condom. Although this does not reduce the risk of infection by 100%;
  • use your personal hygiene products;
  • iron things well, especially underwear. Don't give your clothes to anyone;
  • with the appearance of chlamydia, urgently begin treatment;
  • get tested for STIs once a year.

The video will tell you more about the causes of infection and methods of treating chlamydia:

Any sexually transmitted disease can reduce a person's quality of life. Unpleasant symptoms appear that interfere with a full life, serious pathologies develop. One such disease is chlamydia.

More than 8% of women suffer from pathology, men are also not insured. How chlamydia is transmitted is of interest to many, but it is much more important to know than to treat it. Methods of therapy depend on the state of the body and other facts.

- a disease that occurs due to the penetration into the body of pathogenic microorganisms - chlamydia. Bacteria cause the development of a pathological process in various organs and systems.

Interesting! According to numerous studies conducted over the years, it can be concluded that bacteria cause the development of infertility, as well as the impossibility of bearing a child and miscarriage at an early stage.

If, her sexual partner should be examined and treated. The infection is stable, the main danger is the emergence of drug resistance. That is why therapy should be aimed at maintaining the body's defenses.

How does infection occur?

Knowing the ways of transmission of chlamydia can protect yourself from infection. Such knowledge helps to make a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment. The damage to specific organs and the symptoms that appear depend on how the infection occurred. There are four main routes of infection.

As you can see, there are many ways in which the disease can be transmitted. The video in this article explains in more detail how the infection occurs.

Signs and symptoms of the disease

For women, the disease is dangerous because it can be asymptomatic. After entering the body, chlamydia begin to multiply inside the cells, while no signs of the development of the disease will be present. The duration of the incubation period is up to two weeks.

  • slight increase in body temperature;
  • feeling weak and tired;
  • discharge from the genitals with an unpleasant odor and color;
  • sensation of itching and burning when urinating.

You should definitely pay attention to the symptoms, especially if shortly before that there was an unprotected intercourse. After some time, the symptoms will begin to disappear, even if there was no treatment, but the disease will not go away, but will go into a chronic stage.

A sexually transmitted disease tends to be latent, it develops and becomes the cause of an inflammatory process, which in turn provokes the appearance of other pathologies.

In women, chlamydia usually appears as follows:

  1. Colpitis- an inflammatory process on the mucous membrane of the vagina, as well as the gland that is nearby. The disease is accompanied by the presence of discharge, pain in the lower abdomen. When urinating, there are difficulties, the body temperature rises. In this form, the disease appears in those who suffer from a lack of the hormone estrogen.
  2. cervicitis- inflammation in the cervix. From the genitals, discharge with impurities of pus, the smell is unpleasant. Lower abdomen dull pain. The missing treatment will cause the development of cervical erosion.
  3. Salpingoophoritis- an inflammatory process in the uterine appendages. Endometritis is an inflammation of the uterine tissue of the endometrium. Salpingitis is an inflammatory process in the fallopian tubes. It begins to develop when the infection penetrates the internal genital organs. In this case, bleeding begins to disturb, pain in the abdomen, body temperature rises, severe pain on palpation.

Only a doctor can make a diagnosis in each case.

Symptoms in men

In more than half of the cases, the disease is asymptomatic, but in this case, the person is still its carrier, which means that it is potentially dangerous for his partner. The duration of the incubation period is up to 28 days, the first symptoms may appear towards its end.

Signs and symptoms of pathology:

  • in acute chlamydia, an increase in body temperature to 38 degrees;
  • purulent discharge from the urethra, especially noticeable after sleep;
  • itching and burning sensation when urinating, the first drops of urine are usually cloudy;
  • during ejaculation or at the end of urination, a small amount of blood may be released;
  • the external opening of the urethra turns red and swells;
  • feeling of discomfort in the lumbar region and lower abdomen.

The symptoms may subside and slightly make themselves felt only in the morning, as a result of which the man forgets about them and does not seek help from a medical institution. For this reason, the acute phase becomes chronic and causes the development of many complications: cystitis, prostatitis, and so on.

The photo below is an example of what the complications look like.

Diagnosis of chlamydia

Due to the asymptomatic course, the infection is most often detected against the background of the development of other diseases with which the patient goes to a medical institution. If there is a suspicion of the development of chlamydia, an anamnesis will be collected, an examination will be carried out, tests taken, and so on. If an infection is detected in a woman, her sexual partner should be examined and vice versa.

So, you can determine the presence of chlamydia as follows:

  • swab from the urethra or vagina - helps to identify chlamydia and other infections transmitted through sexual contact;
  • PCR diagnostics - the ability to identify the genetic material of microorganisms;
  • Ultrasound diagnostics - the ability to identify structural changes in the genital organs that have arisen due to the development of chlamydia.

After the diagnosis is made, the final diagnosis is made.

How to treat chlamydia

Instructions on how the treatment should be carried out are issued by the attending physician. The therapy of this disease is complex, it cannot take place without the help of antibiotics, multivitamins, immunomodulators.

Special attention should be paid to proper nutrition, lifestyle, and physical activity. Before prescribing drugs, the doctor must determine what type of chlamydia they are, as well as in what condition the patient is.

Antibiotic treatment

The following drugs may be prescribed for therapy:

The duration of the course of treatment in each case may be different, it all depends on the degree of development of the disease, the type of pathogen and other factors.

Treatment with immunomodulators

It is difficult to imagine the treatment of the disease without the use of drugs included in this group. More often appointed:

  1. Polyoxidonium - increases the body's resistance, promotes the production of antibodies, makes other drugs less toxic. It can not be taken with individual intolerance to the components that make up the composition.
  2. Timalin - during infection, it helps to increase cellular immunity, phagocytosis increases, hematopoietic functions are restored. Within ten days, the drug is administered intramuscularly at a dose of 5-20 milligrams.

Any of the drugs can be taken only as prescribed by the attending physician, self-medication is fraught with the development of unpleasant complications.

Multivitamins

Another way to support the body and improve the quality of treatment is to take multivitamins:

  1. Vitrum - improve the condition of the body when taking antibiotics, stimulates resistance to infections. The duration of use is determined by the attending physician. Urticaria and an allergic reaction may appear.
  2. Aevit - contains vitamins from groups E and A. The drug improves immunity, fights infection, improves the condition of blood vessels. Taken one twice a day. With individual intolerance to the components that are included in the composition, you can not take it.

Vitamins are essential for the body, especially at a time when it is trying to fight infection.

Physiotherapy

Recently, physiotherapy has been increasingly used to treat chlamydia. With their help, the body's resistance increases, unpleasant symptoms recede.

You can read about the procedures and their effect on the body below:

  1. Magnetotherapy. During the procedure, the inflammatory process, swelling is removed, pain disappears.
  2. ultrasonic irradiation. Accelerates the processes of regeneration in tissues, relieves the inflammatory process.

Another commonly used procedure is electrophoresis. It has a vasodilating effect, relieves pain, and also improves metabolism.

Local treatment

For complex therapy, tampons and suppositories are used. In some cases, such therapy replaces taking pills, for example, if a woman is carrying a baby or breastfeeding him.

The following medicines are used for treatment:

  1. Candles Vitaferon - the basis includes interferon. Under its influence, immunity is stimulated, viruses and other microorganisms die. Within ten days, one candle should be inserted.
  2. Candles Hexicon - the main active ingredient is chlorhexidine. An inhibitory effect is exerted on chlamydia and other pathogenic microorganisms, the inflammatory process is removed. In the same way as in the previous case, one candle should be inserted for ten days.
  3. Tampons with propolis is a folk remedy with anti-inflammatory, regenerating and bactericidal action. The tampon is lubricated with propolis and inserted overnight. The duration of the course of treatment is determined individually for each patient by the attending physician.
  4. Tampons Clean Point - as part of a component of natural origin. It is possible to accelerate the regeneration processes, remove the inflammatory process, improve the condition of the vaginal microflora.

The price of drugs is different, if necessary, you can ask your doctor to choose a similar remedy at a lower cost.

Preparations to improve the intestinal microflora

For the treatment of chlamydia, one way or another, antibiotics are prescribed. Despite the fact that drugs treat one thing, they depress the immune system, worsen the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, and disrupt metabolism.

That is why in order to protect the patient's body, he is prescribed special drugs:

  1. Hepatoprotectors. The destructive effect of taking antibiotics decreases, the state of the liver normalizes. Preparations from this group are Phosphogliv and Essentiale Forte.
  2. Enzymes - help break down food into small molecules. Festal, Mezim and others enter here.
  3. Bacteriophages - are used instead of antibiotics, affect pathogenic microorganisms selectively. Preparations from this group - Kolifag.
  4. Probiotics are yeast and bacteria, with their help the intestinal microflora is restored: Hilak Forte, Acipol and others.

It has already been said above that it is not recommended to take medications on your own; as needed, they are prescribed by a doctor.

Treatment regimen for women

Treatment will be effective only if drugs have been prescribed to suppress microorganisms. After the examination, a general assessment of the patient's condition is made, concomitant diseases are identified, and only after that the optimal treatment regimens are selected.

They may be as follows:

  1. Treatment of acute chlamydia. The patient is prescribed antibiotics, multivitamins and immunomodulators. A week after therapy, systemic enzyme therapy is performed. In the presence of a fungal infection, Nystatin and Fluconazole should be used. Complements physiotherapy therapy.
  2. Sluggish chlamydia. The first two weeks it is necessary to carry out immunotherapy and systemic enzyme therapy. After that, the patient is prescribed antibiotics, antifungal agents and multivitamins. Physiotherapy and hepatoprotectors support the body.
  3. Chronic chlamydia. Inductotherapy is carried out for two weeks, Amiksin is prescribed on the 30th day. Within two weeks, systemic enzyme therapy is carried out. After the start of treatment, antibiotics and multivitamins are prescribed on the 10th day.

Treatment regimens are approximate and may vary depending on the condition of the patient.

The consequences of chlamydia in men

In advanced form, that is, when the disease has already become chronic, numerous serious complications can develop:

  1. Prostatitis - there is pain in the lower back, rectum, groin. Difficulty urinating, urethral discharge mixed with mucus. Gradually, there are problems with potency.
  2. Urethritis - increased urge to urinate, itching and purulent discharge.
  3. Epididymitis is an inflammatory process in the epididymis. The condition is characterized by an increase in body temperature, appendages increase in size. Ultimately, the condition leads to impaired spermatogenesis and infertility.

In rare cases, Reiter's disease develops, that is, arthritis and chlamydial conjunctivitis.

The consequences of chlamydia in women

If the infection is not treated, complications will begin to develop that will significantly affect the quality of life of a person. Chlamydia causes an inflammatory process, which in turn leads to pathological conditions.

Possible consequences:

  1. Inflammatory process in the appendages and fallopian tubes. The disease leads to the formation of adhesions that cause infertility or ectopic pregnancy.
  2. Inflammation of the endometrium. It causes spontaneous miscarriages.
  3. Inflammation in the cervix. A pathological process that is not treated for a long time will lead to oncological diseases.

Just like in men, Reiter's syndrome can develop - the joints, eyes and genitourinary organs suffer.

Prevention

Treatment for chlamydia takes a long time and is not always pleasant. The pathological process can have a negative impact on the psychological state of a woman.

In order to avoid the development of this unpleasant disease, it is recommended to follow simple preventive measures:

  1. Intelligibility in sexual relations. You can not have sexual intercourse with unverified partners. Important! It must be remembered that even a condom does not give a full guarantee that infection will not occur.
  2. Use personal hygiene products, do not borrow from others, and do not give yours to anyone.
  3. Watch your personal hygiene. Wash your hands after visiting public places.
  4. To check for sexually transmitted diseases, both a man and a woman should visit a doctor several times a year.
  5. Watch out for unusual symptoms.

Chlamydia transmission methods can be different, but with a responsible attitude towards yourself and your personal life, each of them can be easily avoided. In the case of the development of the disease, you should not hesitate with treatment, because the price of such negligence can be high.

Frequently asked questions to the doctor

Ways of transmission of chlamydia

Hello, I am interested in such a question, is chlamydia transmitted through a condom?

Many mistakenly believe that if they use a condom during sexual intercourse, then they are completely protected from all diseases. In fact, this is not the case, and a condom is only protective if used correctly. With air retention in it, misuse, damage, non-observance of the expiration date, it becomes not a defense, but a direct gateway to infection. In addition, you should be aware of other possible ways of transmission of infection.

Carrying an infection

Can I be a carrier of chlamydial infection and not experience any symptoms?

Statistics show that 46% of men and 67% of women are asymptomatic. Thus, we can conclude that outwardly healthy people can be carriers of the infection, they just have it in a latent form. But even the absence of symptoms does not mean that there is no effect on the body.

Chlamydia in men

Why are chlamydia dangerous for men?

One of the most common forms of chlamydia in men is urethritis. The disease can cause a lot of inconvenience to the patient, numerous dangerous pathologies arise - inflammation in the testicles, joints, prostate. As a result, the functions of the reproductive system are reduced.

Chlamydia treatment

Are antibiotics alone enough to treat chlamydia?

Such treatment is usually effective in acute fresh form of infection. In the chronic form, immunity becomes not so stable, which means that taking only antibiotics may not give the desired result.

Reading time: 4 min

Chlamydia- an infectious disease caused by chlamydia. It is one of the more common diseases that can be sexually transmitted, in terms of the number of infected, it even outstrips gonorrhea.

On the one hand, the risk of contracting chlamydia through unprotected sexual contact is not the highest (gonorrhea is transmitted more often). On the other hand, the ways of transmission of chlamydia are diverse: from mother to child, through household items, kisses, through airborne droplets. Therefore, everyone who cares about their health needs to know how chlamydia is transmitted.

For women, chlamydia is especially dangerous: they often provoke infertility and miscarriage.

Therefore, it is extremely important for pregnant women and those who plan to become a mother to know what chlamydia is and what transmission methods exist. The course and treatment of the disease may depend on the method of infection.

The main route of transmission of chlamydial infection is through unprotected sexual contact. Women have a higher risk of infection than men, because in the female urogenital system there is more area of ​​the cylindrical epithelium necessary for bacteria to reproduce.

To settle in a healthy body, chlamydia needs contact with mucous membranes, and this happens during unprotected intercourse. If the sperm of an infected man enters the woman's vagina, this makes it easier for the infection to spread in the body. The intrauterine device can play the same role.

The only way to avoid infection is to use a condom. And, of course, you should not have sex with casual partners.

The spread of the disease in the female body is also facilitated by factors such as operations on the genitals and the genitourinary system.

You can settle the infection in your body with any kind of sex. Chlamydia is easily transmitted through anal sex: the bacteria localize and multiply in the rectum. The transmission of chlamydia is also possible during oral sex - in this case, they can hit the throat.

The likelihood of infection is higher if the corresponding mucous membranes are damaged - in this case, an almost direct path to the body is open to microorganisms. Diagnosing the disease in this case is especially difficult - examination and testing in the office of a gynecologist or urologist may not reveal chlamydia, which is not only transmitted sexually.

The danger of chlamydial infection also lies in the fact that along with this unpleasant infection, you can pick up other sexually transmitted diseases.

Infection through a kiss is unlikely, but chlamydia is transmitted if the immune system is weakened, the mucous membrane of the mouth has wounds, cracks or other damage, as well as in the presence of gingivitis (bleeding gums) and stomatitis.

Household way of infection


Chlamydia is one of the few sexually transmitted diseases for which other modes of transmission are possible.

Chlamydial infection is easy to settle in the body with a weakened immune system. Bacteria have an unstable shell that is destroyed under the influence of the external environment, but, despite this, they are able to remain viable under certain conditions: in a humid environment and at an air temperature of 18–20 degrees Celsius. This makes possible the next way of transmission of infection - household.

Towels, washcloths, underwear, bedding, napkins - if a sick person used these items, chlamydia may well live in them. If bacteria from household items get on the hands of a healthy person, and through them into the eyes, chlamydial conjunctivitis may occur - damage to the mucous membrane of the eyes by chlamydia, accompanied by acute or chronic inflammation of the conjunctiva. Such a disease can lead to serious complications and even blindness.

If you have been treating purulent and inflammatory eye diseases for a long time and to no avail, and the disease disappears only for a short period, it may be worth checking for the presence of a chlamydial infection.

Infection through water in a pool or bath is ruled out by many experts, because a significant amount of microorganisms is required for infection.

However, one should not forget about such a factor as weakened immunity - a person who has recently been seriously ill, taken antibiotics, suffered stress, may have “enough” of those bacteria that remain viable in a humid and warm environment that is comfortable for them.

Airborne route of infection


A fairly rare route of infection is airborne. However, infection is not excluded by contact with a patient with chlamydial pneumonia.

When sneezing and coughing, bacteria are released into the air, which can provoke the transmission of the disease.

Antenatal and intranatal routes of transmission of chlamydia

Future parents should be especially attentive to their health.

Before conception, it is advisable to conduct a complete examination of the body - after all, the fetus can become infected with an infection that occurs in the parent body completely asymptomatically.

This is true for chlamydia - its consequences for the child can manifest themselves in the form of severe developmental pathologies, lesions of the throat, eyes, lungs, reproductive system, and rectum.

There are two ways of transmission of chlamydia from mother to child - antenatal and intranatal.

With the antenatal route, the infection of the fetus occurs in the womb - through the placenta or amniotic fluid. If a woman is a carrier of chlamydia, the chance of infection of the fetus is about 70%.

Even if the baby is lucky enough to somehow avoid infection during fetal development, it is very likely during childbirth, when the baby's body comes into contact with the mucous membranes of the mother's genitals, the most susceptible to infection.

This route of infection is called intranatal and is characteristic of many sexually transmitted diseases.

Infection from animals


Perhaps the rarest and rather exotic way of transmitting chlamydia is infection from animals. Cases of chlamydial conjunctivitis have been reported in owners of domestic cats.

Diagnosis and treatment of chlamydia and its complications is hampered by the fact that the disease can practically not manifest itself for many years.

However, diseases of the joints, lungs, throat, genitourinary system (for example, bronchitis, pharyngitis, cystitis), which periodically return, despite the visit to the doctor and the treatment carried out, are cause for concern.

Since there are many ways of infection with chlamydia, and its consequences can be very sad for health, one should be wary not only of the main route of sexual transmission, but also to prevent other methods of infection: use only personal hygiene items, strengthen the immune system, if possible, avoid public baths and pools.

These tips are especially relevant for pregnant women and those who are just planning to conceive a child.

Such an insidious disease can not only cause serious trouble to a woman, but also make her infertile or damage the health of the baby. Therefore, everyone needs to know why chlamydia is dangerous, how the disease is transmitted, and pay attention to their health.

According to medical statistics, chlamydia can now be safely classified as one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. The course of the disease against the background of the almost complete absence of characteristic symptoms, especially in the early stages of infection, significantly complicates the timely diagnosis of infection. Thus, at least half of those infected with various strains of chlamydia simply do not know about the existing disease, contributing to further spread. In order to protect yourself, you need to know how you can get chlamydia and how to prevent infection.

Chlamydia can be contracted in several ways, the knowledge of which will reduce this likelihood.

Causative agents of chlamydia

A carrier of chlamydia bacteria may not be aware of the infection, since the presence of pathogens in the cells can proceed without any disturbing symptoms for a long period of time. When the immune forces of the body are weakened and its resistance decreases, active growth and reproduction of pathogenic cells begins, which leads to the development of both chlamydia and other infectious diseases of similar etiology.

Chlamydia develops as a result of ingestion of chlamydia

Important! It should be noted that, due to the specifics of the anatomical structure, women are more susceptible to the development of chlamydia than representatives of the strong half of humanity. In addition, infection with an infection can lead to infertility.

household route of infection

Is chlamydia transmitted by household means? Is there a possibility of infection through household items or personal hygiene items? Unfortunately, this probability, though small, is still present. Although the bacteria that are directly responsible for the development of chlamydia quickly die in the open air, in a humid and warm environment, for example, on a toothbrush, they can survive for a little longer.

In order to protect yourself and loved ones from accidental infection, you need to know how chlamydia is transmitted by household routes. Among the most common ways:

  • You can become infected with chlamydia through bedding and underwear, clothes.
  • The main ways of infection are the use of personal hygiene items belonging to the patient. Among these are toothbrushes, razors, massage brushes, sponges for washing and other similar items.

Chlamydia can be transmitted through hygiene items that are also used by the carrier of the disease.

  • Visiting public places, such as, for example, swimming pools, baths, toilets.

There is a widespread misconception that chlamydia bacteria are instantly killed in the open air. This is not entirely true. Under favorable conditions, pathogens can remain viable for a sufficiently long period of time. Thus, it is still impossible to completely exclude the possibility of infection by the domestic route.

sexual transmission

Can chlamydia be transmitted sexually? Of course, the main way of transmission of infectious chlamydia is sexual contact. Moreover, the likelihood of infection is present, including when using barrier contraceptives. In fairness, it should be noted that with protected sex, the risk of infection is significantly reduced.

Chlamydia is most often transmitted through sexual contact.

In addition, infection is possible in the process of oral and anal sex. In this case, chlamydia is even more dangerous, since the bacteria infect the human digestive tract, the organs of the respiratory system, and significantly reduce immunity.

The duration of the incubation period of the disease can vary significantly depending on many factors of influence, and range from several days to months. With a weakened immune defense of the body, chlamydia almost immediately attack it, carrying out harmful activities in the cells.

With strong immunity, the virus may not manifest itself for a long time. However, the carrier of the infection is potentially dangerous in terms of the practical possibility of infecting others.

Contraceptives do not protect against chlamydia

Vertical mode of infection

The main methods of infection also include the transmission of the virus from mother to fetus during gestation, and the mother of a newborn can also transmit bacteria during breastfeeding. Especially dangerous for the child and mother, due to the risk of developing various infectious diseases in the newborn after birth. In such situations, infection occurs when the child passes through the birth canal.

Also, chlamydia, in the absence of timely treatment, can provoke various pathologies of intrauterine development, cause premature birth, placental abruption, or other dangerous consequences. The main danger of chlamydia during pregnancy is that a woman can take a limited amount of antibiotic and other potent drugs.

If a pregnant woman has chlamydia, it is more likely to be passed on to the fetus

How is chlamydia infected in most clinical cases? Is chlamydia transmitted by kissing? Is there a danger of infection with the specified infectious disease by airborne droplets, that is, is chlamydia transmitted through saliva? Theoretically, this method is not excluded, but in practice, infection through a kiss or when talking with a carrier of the virus can occur only if the following aspects are present:

  • The presence in the oral cavity of wounds, microdamages, cracks, damaged teeth.
  • Weakened immune defense of the body, reducing its resistance.

Thus, it is still possible to become infected with chlamydia by airborne droplets, for example, if you are close to an infected person or if you kiss him, it is still possible. At the same time, when the virus enters the body, the absence of characteristic symptoms of the disease is not excluded, which is due to the long incubation period of bacteria. Active reproduction of chlamydia and damage to healthy carrier cells can occur even a few months after infection, provided that the microflora is favorable for pathogenic viruses.

In very rare cases, chlamydia can be transmitted through the air.

Symptoms and signs of chlamydia

The clinical picture of the development of chlamydia can be divided into three main stages, including: the stage of infection, the period of clinical manifestations of the disease, the development of complications. In the early stages of infection, the symptoms of the disease are almost completely absent, among the first clinical manifestations are such as severe itching in the genital area and problems with urination.

Infection with chlamydia, that is, the symptoms of an infectious disease can differ significantly in men and women. For example, transmissible chlamydia in men can be suspected if the following signs occur:

  • Inflammatory processes that develop in the testicles and epididymis.
  • Severe soreness and burning when urinating.
  • Violation of the processes of spermatogenesis.

With chlamydia, going to the toilet is accompanied by burning and pain

  • Decreased erectile function and libido.
  • In the most severe cases, the development of secondary infectious diseases and impaired reproductive function are not excluded.

Chlamydia in women is most often accompanied by the manifestation of the following symptoms:

  • Severe pain and burning sensation in the urethra, which are significantly aggravated when visiting the toilet.
  • Inflammation of the cervix, accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, characteristic discharge, itching in the genital area.
  • In the most severe cases, bleeding may occur.
  • Deterioration of the general condition: hyperthermia up to significant marks, weakness, nausea.

Important! In order to avoid the negative consequences and complications of chlamydia, you should consult a doctor and actively take up treatment when the first disturbing symptoms and discomfort appear.

So, getting chlamydia is more than easy, even if you exclude casual sex. It is possible to prevent infection as much as possible and protect one's own health only if preventive measures are observed, including hygiene, strengthening the body's immune forces and increasing its resistance.

It should also be noted that the longer the infection proceeds in the absence of treatment, the higher the likelihood of severe complications, up to infertility in both men and women. Adequate treatment, carried out in accordance with the degree and form of the disease, will eliminate the infection in a short time, and prevent negative consequences as much as possible.

You can learn about the symptoms of chlamydia from the video:

Today, there are many infections that are transmitted from person to person in a variety of ways. For example, how is chlamydia transmitted?

This common infectious disease is caused by intracellular bacteria - chlamydia. These pathogens affect the reproductive system of both men and women. Millions of people around the world are infected each year. According to statistics, this is the most common sexually transmitted disease.

Description of the disease

Chlamydia is an infectious disease that can harm both the genitourinary system and other organs of the human body.

Key points:

  1. Often the infection is localized in the pelvic organs.
  2. The risk of developing pathology in the throat.
  3. The disease spreads through the lymphatic system, focusing in the joints and organs.
  4. Pathology can harm the lungs, thereby causing pneumonia.
  5. Infects the organs of vision, causing.

Pathogenic microorganisms of chlamydia are comparatively more than viruses, but less than bacteria. Having penetrated into the body, they may not manifest themselves in any way, that is, the pathology is asymptomatic. As a result, a sick person may not be aware of the problem, and in the future is able to infect households, loved ones and sexual partners.

To prevent the development of infection, you should familiarize yourself with the methods of infection with chlamydia.

Ways of infection

It is important to understand that infection occurs with any type of sexual contact:

  • anal;
  • oral;
  • vaginal.

Women are most susceptible to infection, since the penetration of pathogenic pathogens into the male urogenital canal is difficult. Along with this, some chlamydia are washed off the next time you urinate.

With vaginal contact without the use of a condom, chlamydia directly penetrates the vagina. In such a situation, the risk of infection for a woman is 100%. During anal sexual contact, microorganisms are in the rectum, where they are concentrated.

Is chlamydia transmitted orally? The answer is yes - in this case, the pathology is localized in the throat. This location is difficult to identify and diagnose.

From the foregoing, it follows that in order to avoid infection, a constant partner is needed, and in case of spontaneous intimacy, a condom should be used.

other methods

There are other ways of transmission of the disease.

Chlamydia can only be passed on by kissing if:

  • the integrity of the mucous membrane of the lips or tongue is broken;
  • in the presence of inflammation in the oral cavity, such as stomatitis;
  • there are gum diseases, in which blood comes out and, therefore, enters the saliva.

In other situations, the possibility of transmitting the disease through a kiss is excluded. On this account, there are conditions and ways of transfer.

In adults, invasion can occur:

  • when using shared sex toys, such as a vibrator, and other personal accessories;
  • when using someone else's underwear with pathogenic secretions;
  • using an infected person's towel.

Chlamydia in the household way is dangerous for those who have a habit of using other people's toothbrushes, razors and other personal items.

Rarely, but infection is still possible when visiting pools and baths. This is due to the fact that water can contain a huge amount of viruses that provoked the development of chlamydia.

Children can also become infected, and there are several ways of infection. A great danger is the vertical way of transmission of chlamydia, which, as a rule, is detected in newborns. During the period of bearing a child, bacteria are not able to penetrate the amniotic membrane, however, the baby can become infected while passing through the birth canal during childbirth. In the first days of life, the crumbs have weakened immunity, which can also contribute to the airborne transmission of the disease from the mother.

Invasion of chlamydia through pets is not excluded - it can be dogs, cats and other animals. To prevent infection, it is necessary to vaccinate pets and monitor their health.

Symptoms

Unfortunately, the symptoms of the infection are very insignificant, which affects the difficult diagnosis, and hence the timely therapy.

The following signs are distinguished with a pronounced course:

  • unreasonable increase in body temperature;
  • the appearance of clear discharge from the urethra;
  • urination can pass with pain and burning sensation;
  • damage to the organ of vision - redness of the mucous membranes;
  • lung damage - cough, inflammation.

Due to the fact that the above symptoms are similar to the manifestations of other diseases, it is urgent to go to see a therapist.

Complications

The danger of the disease is due to its active spread throughout the body, which can cause numerous complications:

  • circinary balanitis;
  • Reiter's syndrome;
  • urethral stricture;
  • orchiepididymitis with a possible cessation of sperm production;
  • chronic prostatitis;
  • inflammation of the female genital organs (pelvis).

In pregnant women, the disease can cause miscarriage, serious malformations, infection of the child during childbirth. A certain pattern was found: in newborn boys, the shell of the eyes initially suffers, and in girls, the genital organ.

Prevention

If you know how they become infected with this disease, then you can prevent accidental infection. To do this, you should only adhere to the rules of personal hygiene and carry out general preventive measures.

If any disturbing symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor: only a specialist is able to diagnose this infectious disease. To confirm the guesses, the doctor will prescribe tests, and if an ailment is detected, appropriate treatment.

Nowadays, everyone needs to know how to get chlamydia and other STDs. This pathology can cause damage to various organs of the human body: the pathogen enters the lymphatic system, joints and other body systems.

The disease can be effectively treated only if it is detected in time. Women and men need to be examined at least once a year by the appropriate specialists.