CHECK CHLAMYDIA
The term “Chlamydia” refers to a collection of bacteria. It causes various types of infectious diseases in humans and animals.
CHLAMYDIA ILMENTS
There are two main types of Chlamydia disease. They are Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae. People with multiple sexual partners are susceptible to different strains of chlamydia.
CHLAMYDIA BACTERIA
The three types of Chlamydia are Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae.
CHLAMYDIA PSITTICA
Chlamydia psittica occurs in rare cases. People affected by Chlamydia psittica suffer from a flu-like illness. It’s called psittacosis. It is also known as parrot fever as the organism is mainly transmitted by lovebirds, parakeets and parrots. Many cats and other animals and bird species carry this organism. Occasionally humans can also be carriers of Chlamydia psittica. Usually, people who work with domestic animals such as birds and animals contract Chlamydia psittica syndrome. Therefore, the most vulnerable parts of the people are the workers employed in poultry processing plants or pet shops and pet bird owners.
CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS STRAINS
This is the most common chlamydia disease. It is caused by the different strains of Trachomatis bacteria species. A specific strain of Chlamydia trachomatis affects the eyes. The secondary disease is conjunctivitis. With conjunctivitis, the eyes turn red and swelling occurs. In addition, the eyes become sensitive to light. There may also be discharge of pus from the eyes. Most importantly, babies can be infected with chlamydia from their mothers before they are born.
TRACHOMA
This is a severe form of conjunctivitis. Trachoma is caused by a fly-borne strain of Chlamydia trachomatis. Left untreated, trachoma can lead to blindness. Trachoma cases are common in third world countries.
LYMPHOGRANULOMA VENEREUM
Another offshoot of Chlamydia trachomatis is lymphogranuloma venereum. This disease affects the lymphatic tissue. Many people in tropical regions are affected by this disease. However, lymphogranuloma venereum is rare in the United States.
CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS & AIDS
There is a close association between Chlamydia trachomatis and various STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) including AIDS. Chlamydia trachomatis is usually transmitted through sexual intercourse with those affected. In the US, three million people die each year from STD cases caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. These include, above all, NGU (nongonococcal urethritis). NGU is a urinary tract infection.
CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS (STD) SYMPTOMS
The sex-transmitted form of Chlamydia trachomatis can affect both sexes. The most common symptoms of Chlamydia trachomatis (sexually transmitted) are pain and watery discharge when urinating. Women can also have vaginal infections, as well as swelling of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix. Genital pain, abdominal pain, fever, and vaginal discharge may occur.
Remarkably, up to 70 percent of women suffering from Chlamydia trachomatis infections have no symptoms. So the condition goes untreated. Eventually, Chlamydia trachomatis degenerates into serious diseases: these can include infertility, ectopic pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease.
CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIAE
Chlamydia pneumoniae affects the upper respiratory tract. Chlamydia pneumoniae infections can also affect bronchitis, pneumonitis and pharyngitis. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a contagious disease caused by the Chlamydia group of bacteria. Chlamydia pneumoniae can also lead to heart attacks and coronary artery disease.
Anyone between the ages of five and 35 can be affected by Chlamydia pneumoniae. In fact, Chlamydia pneumoniae has been identified as the second leading cause of pneumonia in the United States. Chlamydia pneumoniae attacks are usually mild in nature. The symptoms of Chlamydia pneumoniae are fever and cough. Sometimes there may be more sputum production. Sputum is a mixture of different mucus and saliva. It arises from the respiratory tract.
The Chlamydia pneumoniae symptoms may not be very visible at first. Sometimes the Chlamydia pneumoniae signs can also indicate other forms of Chlamydia dysfunction. One type is the Chlamydia type of diseases caused by different strains of the Trachomatis species. Another serious form of chlamydia is caused by a strain of fly-borne Chlamydia trachomatis.
TREATMENT OF CHLAMYDIA
Antibiotics are very effective in treating chlamydia infections.
In order to diagnose a chlamydial infection, patients usually have to undergo various tests. This includes cell cultures, which rule out other diseases with similar symptoms. The other ailments with similar symptoms are candidiasis, trichomoniasis, herpes and gonorrhea. The modern method of diagnosing chlamydial infection is immunoassay blood tests. These tests pinpoint the specific antibody that the patient’s immune system may have made against a chlamydial infection.
MANDATORY SCREEN TESTS
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends annual screening for chlamydia, especially for all sexually active women. Such regular screenings are a must for women under 20 and for women over 20. It is also mandatory for those women who have multiple sexual partners. To prevent reinfection, anyone who has had sexual relations with the affected individual must be treated for chlamydial infections, or STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). An important preventive measure is the latex condom during sexual intercourse. This step can prevent transmission of Chlamydia infection.
Thanks to Nilutpal Gogoi
