Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. Some people never develop any symptoms so it can often go undetected. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that affects both women and men of all ages; however, it affects more women than men. Once detected, chlamydia treatment Los Angeles is easy, but if left untreated it leads to serious health issues.
Symptoms
During the early stages of chlamydia, it isn’t uncommon for you to show no symptoms. Once exposed to the bacteria, symptoms will usually show after one or two weeks. Even when the symptoms appear, they can be so mild that they are easy to overlook. Some symptoms of chlamydia include:
- Lower abdominal pain
- Painful urination
- In men:
- Testicular pain
- Discharge from the penis
- In women:
- Bleeding between periods
- Bleeding after sex
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Vaginal discharge
The rectum can also get infected with chlamydia. Most of the time there are no symptoms but if any appear, you may experience discharge, bleeding, and rectal discharge.
Causes
Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium is spread through sex, whether it be oral, anal, or vaginal. A mother may also spread the bacteria to her newborn during childbirth, which can cause a serious infection or pneumonia.
There are several factors that can increase your risk of contracting chlamydia, such as:
- Not using a condom
- Having multiple sex partners
- Previously contracting a sexually transmitted infection
Treatment
Since chlamydia is a bacterium, it is treated with antibiotics. You can take a one-time dose or a daily medication over a period of five to ten days. Abstain from sex until the infection clears, which will take a couple of weeks. Any sexual partners will also need to seek chlamydia treatment Los Angeles, even if they do not appear to have symptoms.
If you wish to be tested or need chlamydia treatment Los Angeles, please call our office (213) 261-4090 to schedule an appointment, or do so online.