The main lesions of chlamydia. Chlamydia. How it is transmitted, symptoms of chlamydia, modern diagnosis, effective treatment of the disease. Is it possible to get chlamydia through non-sexual contact?

Chlamydia is a pathological process in the body, the causative agent of which is chlamydia. They can cause a whole range of damage to various organs in humans. Chlamydia cannot be classified as either a bacteria or a virus, but these microorganisms have the amazing ability to damage not only the external genitalia, but also the internal ones, disrupt the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, damage blood vessels and the heart, teeth and joints, and also cause conjunctivitis and otitis media.

However, most often these microorganisms are localized in the genitourinary system, causing chlamydia in women, the symptoms of which are sometimes minor, or the disease is chronic and asymptomatic. There are no characteristic, special signs of chlamydia in women, since it is impossible to determine without laboratory tests what type of infection causes the inflammatory process. Many women are interested in the answer to the question - how to treat chlamydia in women and what treatment regimens for chlamydia exist?

Ways of infection with chlamydia

The development of this disease in a particular organ depends on how the infection occurred. Methods of infection with chlamydia by frequency can be distributed as follows:

Chlamydia symptoms in women

How does chlamydia manifest in women? Unfortunately, difficulties in diagnosing and monitoring the treatment of this disease are caused by the fact that chlamydia often occurs asymptomatically in women. Symptoms of this disease are found in only 33% of women. However, the hidden course of the infectious process is no less dangerous, both for the woman herself, since it causes a number of complications and consequences, and for her sexual partner, increasing the risk of infection. Also, if untreated, chlamydia poses a potential risk to the unborn child if a woman becomes pregnant.

The incubation period of chlamydia is from 14 to 30 days. If sexual infection occurs, the first symptoms may appear two weeks after questionable sexual contact. When chlamydia enters a woman’s body, it goes through several stages:

• The first stage is the direct penetration of chlamydia into the mucous membrane.
• The second stage is intracellular reproduction, which in these microorganisms occurs somewhat differently than in other bacteria and viruses, since chlamydia is located inside the cells of the human body in the form of reticular bodies, under favorable conditions they begin active reproduction, and after 2-3 days the cell, in which they were located dies.
• The third stage is direct inflammation of the mucous membrane of the affected organ. After the cell in which the reticular bodies were located dies, fresh microorganisms enter the intercellular space and quickly attack new target cells.

Signs of chlamydia in women

Chlamydial infection can cause various disorders of the female reproductive system.

• Colpitis. After infection with chlamydia, symptoms are most often observed in the form of chlamydia colpitis, and is also localized in the glands located next to the vagina. This is especially true in girls, pregnant women and women during menopause, when there is a deficiency of estrogen in the body. In this case, women experience unpleasant sensations in the vagina - itching, burning, discharge, urination disorders, pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, and a slight increase in body temperature. .
• Cervicitis. With a long period of development of chlamydia, the cervix is ​​affected, causing cervicitis. In this case, the proliferation of microorganisms occurs in the cervical canal, and upon examination, the gynecologist sees that the cervix is ​​enlarged, swollen, and inflamed. If there is no treatment, then with cervicitis, the epithelium of the cervix becomes desquamated and erosion occurs.
• Salpingoophoritis, endometritis, salpingitis. When an infection ascends up the genital tract in a woman against the background of reduced immunity, constant stress and other favorable conditions for the proliferation of chlamydia, serious inflammatory processes of the female genital organs are possible, the diagnosis of which is carried out by a gynecologist based on examination and ultrasound data.

What is the discharge from chlamydia in women?

Like any other sexually transmitted infection, chlamydia also manifests itself as pathological discharge, itching, burning, pain and even fever. It is impossible to determine chlamydia only by the nature of the discharge, since there are no distinctive features in its course. In addition, in addition to chlamydia, a woman may have other sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, and thrush. Signs of chlamydia in women may include the following ailments:

• Temperature . In case of an acute process, a woman may have a subfebrile body temperature of 37-37.5C
• Pain can be insignificant, absent at all, or quite intense; it occurs in the lower abdomen, in the lumbar region.
• Urination. If the inflammatory process also affects the urethra, then all the symptoms of cystitis occur - frequent and painful urination, pain at the end and beginning of emptying the bladder, burning and cramping during urination.
• Discharge. Most often, discharge from chlamydia in women is mucopurulent in nature, white or yellowish in color, with a sharp, unpleasant odor. If, this may indicate the development of gardnerellosis. Because chlamydia creates favorable conditions that provoke the development of other infections.
• Burning. This symptom of chlamydia in women can also be observed on the mucous membrane of the genital organs, since the mucous membrane is the main place of activity of the pathogen.
• Cervical erosion. At a consultation with a gynecologist, during examination of the patient, slight bleeding on the mucous membrane of the cervix and erosive formations, which may be a sign of chlamydia, may be detected.

How to treat chlamydia in women

The problem of complex treatment of chlamydial infection in women should be solved taking into account the clinical picture of the patient. There are no ready-made algorithms or general treatment regimens for chlamydia in women, since in each specific case it is worth taking into account the state of the immune system, concomitant diseases, and the state of the intestinal microflora.

All information about drugs and treatment regimens is for informational purposes only. Treatment of chlamydia is carried out only by a qualified specialist based on test results, the patient’s medical history, and over time, taking into account the criteria for cure.

Antibiotics

• Tetracyclines: Doxycycline - Unidox Solutab, Dorix, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs.
• Macrolides: Azithromycin (Sumamed, Zithromax, Hemomycin), Josamycin (Vilprafen) and Clarithromycin (Clarbact, Fromilid Uno)
• Fluoroquinolones: Ofloxacin (Floxin, Zanotsin, Tarivid, Ofloxin), Levofloxacin (Tavanic, Glevo, Levostar, Flexid), Ciprofloxacin (Cifran, Tsiprobay, Tsiprinol, Cipro-bid), Spiramycin (Rovamycin), Norfloxacin (, norbactin), Lomefloxacin ( Lomflox), Sparfloxacin (Sparflo).

The presence of other infections - STIs - must be taken into account so that the choice of antibiotic is as effective as possible in case of a mixed infection.

• Azithromycin 500 mg 2 tablets. once, or
• Doxycycline 0.1 twice a day for 7 days.

Second row:

• Erythromycin 500 mg 4 times a day for 6 hours 7 days
• Ofloxacin 300 mg twice daily every 12 hours for 7 days
• Roxithromycin 150 mg twice daily every 12 hours 7 days
• Spiramycin 3 million units every 8 hours 7 days

For pregnant women:

• Erythromycin 500 mg every 6 hours 4 times a day for 7 days
• Josamycin 750 mg 3 times a day after 8 hours 7 days
• Spiramycin 3 million units every 8 hours 3 times a day for 7 days.

Both partners undergo therapy. In this case, tetracyclines can be used for the treatment of acute uncomplicated urethritis or cervicitis in previously untreated patients. Strains of chlamydia that are resistant to one of the tetracyclines also show resistance to other drugs in this group, that is, there is no point in changing drugs from one to another if they are ineffective within one group.

In practice, preference is given to 15-membered macrolides (Azithromycin) and 16-membered macrolides (Josamycin), resistant forms, chronic chlamydia are treated with fluoroquinolones. But this will be second-line therapy, since it is not advisable to prescribe fluoroquinolones right away, remembering that soon there will be nothing to treat tuberculosis. And fluoroquinolones are reserve drugs. For pregnant women, the approved drug today is Josamycin (Vilprafen), which is preferred by European standards.

The criterion for cure will be negative PCR of scrapings of the urogenital tract 1.5-2 months after the end of therapy.

Treatment regimens for chlamydia in women

Today, the treatment of chlamydia is a complex problem; the attending physician must be highly qualified and have knowledge in many related fields of medicine, since there are often situations when the prescription of even very effective, modern highly active antibiotics for chlamydia is erroneous, ineffective, and aggravates the course of the infectious process .

The choice of diagnostic method, the level of training of the laboratory material researcher, and the quality of test systems for diagnosis are very important in assessing the patient’s condition. Very often, mistakes made in diagnosis and treatment occur for the following reasons:

• The use of low-quality test systems, low professional training of laboratory assistants, non-compliance with delivery conditions and rules for taking material for analysis during diagnosis.
• Wrong choice of an effective treatment regimen for chlamydia and treatment tactics, as a result, treatment is unsuccessful.
• Late determination of the patient’s stage of cure.
• Illiterate interpretation of test results. If, after complex, staged treatment of urogenital chlamydial infection with the use of antibiotics, pathogens are again detected in control tests, taking a second course of antimicrobial drugs is not advisable. In such situations, laboratory results should be interpreted correctly. It is possible that an error has been detected in determining the criteria for cure, since after treatment, the collection of material for analysis in each method of laboratory diagnostics differs in terms of timing.

Treatment regimens for chlamydia in women, drugs for therapy, depend on the clinical symptoms of the disease, the severity of the process, the duration of the disease, the age of the patient and concomitant diseases.

With cervical ectopia in women, any treatment should begin only after the results, as well as a cytological examination of smears, which exclude or confirm precancerous conditions. In case of a negative result, local treatment can be supplemented with enzymes, agents that enhance proliferation, as well as drugs that cause tissue destruction.

Treatment of chlamydia in pregnant women should also be staged, comprehensive, taking into account all physiological contraindications. Among the antibiotics for chlamydia, the following drugs can be used in basic therapy: Rovamycin 3 million 3 times a day and Erythromycin 500 mg 4 times a day for 2 weeks. The administration of doxycycline and fluoroquinolones is strictly contraindicated for lactating and pregnant women.

Chlamydia in women - consequences of infection

All inflammatory processes that occur when chlamydial infection ascends to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries can cause endometritis, salpingitis, and salpingoophoritis. The consequences of chlamydia can be expressed in the inability to conceive, infertility and increase the risk of developing malignant tumors in the future. Depending on the localization of the inflammatory process during the proliferation of chlamydia, the following consequences are possible:

• Uterine appendages (salpingoophoritis) and fallopian tubes (salpingitis) are very dangerous for women who want to get pregnant and give birth to a healthy child, since chlamydia is different in that it forms after inflammation. And this may be the cause of infertility (see).
• Cervix (endocervicitis) - with this localization, chlamydia significantly increases the risk of developing malignant processes in the cervix (see).
• Uterine mucosa (endometritis) - also makes it difficult for pregnancy to occur and may increase the risk of spontaneous abortion.
• Reiter's syndrome - chlamydial urethritis, conjunctivitis, arthritis.

Chlamydia is an absolute pathogen for humans; normally it should not be present in the body. This bacterium has several varieties. In this case, we are most interested in chlamydia trachomatis. In women and men, it causes such a common infection as urogenital chlamydia. Other varieties of the microorganism infect animals.

Pathogen morphology

Routes of infection

Predominantly a pathogen in both genital and anal sexual intercourse. It is difficult to say about the extent of the spread of the microorganism during oral sex. Do you know why chlamydia is so common in women? The reasons for rapid infection are as follows:

1) bacteria are able to contaminate sperm, that is, attach to them, and due to this rapidly disseminate (spread) throughout all parts of the reproductive system;

2) for infection, only one sexual act unprotected by contraception is sufficient.

When kissing mouth-to-mouth, provided there is no sperm in the mouth and on the lips, as well as when kissing the skin (hands, cheeks, forehead, body, etc.), chlamydia is not transmitted.

For pregnant women infected with a microorganism, a reasonable question arises: “Is chlamydia dangerous in an “interesting” position?” The answer is disappointing. There is a risk of transmitting the disease to the child: transplacentally (during gestation through the placenta) and intrapartum (during childbirth during the passage of the fetus). This is fraught with serious consequences for the baby: he may develop pneumonia or conjunctivitis.

Note that chlamydia can be acquired not only through sexual intercourse, but also through domestic means. How do chlamydia detect their presence in this case? Symptoms in women with such infection will be the same as in the case of infection through sexual contact, because, as already noted, bacteria spread very quickly throughout the body. However, the likelihood of contracting an infection through skin contact, shaking hands, sharing household items, and even through petting is extremely low.

Development of chlamydia

The mucous membrane of the cervical canal most often becomes the initial focus where chlamydia spreads. Women have no symptoms during this period. Bacteria attach to cells, penetrate them, multiply inside, and then leave the elementary units, not forgetting to destroy their membranes. the average is twenty to thirty days. At this time, it is not possible to detect chlamydia.

Destroyed cells of the mucous membrane of the cervical canal begin to secrete cytokines, due to which blood flow increases, membrane permeability increases and the migration of lymphocytes into the tissue increases. As a result, an inflammatory focus is formed. From it, microorganisms are sent to the nearest lymph nodes through the lymphatic vessels, and then spread throughout the body. It is believed that chlamydia can be present in absolutely any tissues and organs. In women, symptoms may therefore vary. The area of ​​the cervix, urethra, eyes, and joints is mainly affected. Indeed, these are favorite places for pathogens.

How does it react to bacteria?

Depending on various factors, immune activity may vary. Thus, it decreases five to seven days before menstruation, when taking oral contraceptives, with insufficient sleep, a state of internal dissatisfaction, fatigue after work or physical training. Such conditions help the primary chronicization of pathogens.

It is not always caused in women. Treatment is sometimes carried out incorrectly because the infection is mistaken for some other pathology of the urethra. Typically, the lesion begins from the cervix, then can go directly to the uterus, and then spreads through the fallopian tubes to the peritoneum and ovaries. There are cases of infection with bacteria in the rectum. An acute reaction to inflammation was rare.

Chlamydia in women: symptoms

Urogenital chlamydia has no specific manifestations. Most often it occurs hidden, in this case there are no signs. Chlamydia in women, unfortunately, “sleeps” in seventy percent of cases. As a result, the disease is diagnosed late and treatment begins untimely. Still, doctors sometimes recognize symptoms that suggest the presence of pathogens in the body.

So, how does chlamydia manifest in women? Firstly, you may feel, secondly, the process of urination itself may become painful (but only slightly), thirdly, you may notice mucopurulent discharge from the vagina. In addition, heaviness and pain in the lumbar region, severe wetness in the genitals, erosive damage to the cervix, nagging pain in the lower abdomen, disruptions in the menstrual cycle and frequent urge to urinate are often observed. There are other signs too. Chlamydia in women can provoke general malaise, fever, and the development of conjunctivitis (if the eyes were involved in the infection process).

Chlamydia in pregnant women

As already mentioned, an infected mother, depending on the source of inflammation, can transmit the infection to the child either during childbirth or in utero. During pregnancy, the disease also does not manifest itself, although some women experience inflammation or complications. But complications can be very serious. The presence of chlamydia in the body can lead to ectopic pregnancy, early miscarriage, polyhydramnios, and fetal hypoxia. If bacteria infect the placenta, the baby's breathing and nutrition are disrupted.

Chlamydia can cause many problems even after childbirth. Infected children suffer from heart and vascular diseases, pathologies of the respiratory tract, nervous system, and intestines. In addition, they become regular patients of the ophthalmologist. It also happens that parents have been trying to cope with their child’s poor eyesight for a long time, but they cannot even imagine where the true cause of such an illness lies. Cases have been recorded where family members in two or even three generations became infected with chlamydia from each other in different ways, even through ordinary towels and washcloths. And this is already fraught with infertility in children.

Diagnosis of the disease

If bacteria is detected in one of the partners, both should be tested. women are taken after collecting anamnesis: information is found out about the presence of chronic inflammation of the genital organs, cases of miscarriage, infertility, inflammation of the partner’s genitourinary tract, and pathological pregnancy in the past. Also, the gynecologist must examine the woman’s genital organs to detect manifestations of the inflammatory process, for example, hyperemia, swelling, and discharge.

If, during the collection of anamnesis and examination of the patient, signs of a urogenital infection were revealed, and in the past there have been miscarriages, pregnancy pathologies, infertility, or it turns out that the partner suffers from urogenital inflammation, then a comprehensive examination is prescribed. It includes general blood and urine tests, bacterioscopic analysis of vaginal discharge (smear), culture for dysbiosis and determination of susceptibility to antibiotics, as well as PCR diagnostics (smear from the affected area of ​​the genital mucosa).

Chlamydia is diagnosed if antibodies to chlamydia are detected in the blood, and the bacteria themselves are detected in a smear taken from the affected area. Sowing is intended to identify the microflora accompanying chlamydia. It is also recommended, for a general assessment of the clinical picture, to conduct research on mycoplasmas, HIV, ureaplasma, hepatitis and other infections that can be transmitted during sexual contact.

PCR analysis

This is the most sensitive test for chlamydia. PCR is a time-tested molecular diagnostic method. The analysis makes it possible to detect pathogenic flora, even if the sample contains only a couple of chlamydia DNA molecules. When carried out correctly, the accuracy of the study reaches one hundred percent. The presence of microorganisms can be detected even when they exist in a latent form. This allows you to start treatment earlier.

Chlamydia in women, however, can be misdiagnosed. PCR analysis, for all its advantages, does not always give correct results. The fact is that if the material sample is contaminated or if the study was carried out after a course of chlamydia therapy, false positive results may be obtained. But that's not so bad. It’s worse when the test is false negative: bacteria actually present in the body are not detected, and as a result, treatment is not carried out.

Chlamydia may not be detected in women if:

• unsuccessfully collected material for research;
• less than a month before the test, the patient took antibiotics active against pathogens or used suppositories:
• urinated less than an hour before collecting material for research.

Also, PCR diagnostics can show a negative result if the inflammatory process is localized in the deep parts of the reproductive system (fallopian tubes, ovaries). In this case, the sample will not contain the genome of the microorganism.

Based on all that has been said, we can conclude that one cannot limit oneself to PCR analysis and make a diagnosis solely on the basis of it. It is recommended to combine various research methods, and if the results are questionable, re-examine. It is necessary not only to determine the pathogen itself, but also to evaluate the immune response (the body's reaction) using serological tests, for example, ELISA.

Chlamydia in women: treatment, drugs

After diagnostic measures are carried out and the diagnosis is confirmed, a course of therapy is prescribed. Be patient, because treating chlamydia in women is quite difficult. These microorganisms, unlike other pathogenic bacteria, are very difficult to treat. Pathogens are able to adapt to the effects of medications or completely hide from drugs. But doctors still know how to cure chlamydia in women. And the sooner therapy is started, the lower the risk of complications. Under no circumstances should the infection be allowed to become chronic.

The course of therapy is prescribed only by a specialist. Don't self-medicate! Chlamydia trachomatis can easily go into the deep cells, then complications cannot be avoided. Among themselves, doctors call chlamydia a disease of young people, because the age of those infected usually varies from seventeen to thirty-five years. Incorrect therapy is fraught with terrible consequences for very young women: infertility, intrauterine infection, loss of ability to work. Such an outcome can ruin the life of any girl. Therefore, undergo regular examinations if there is a reason for it, and do not hesitate to consult a specialist if inflammation of the genital organs is detected.

Combination therapy

For each patient, the doctor individually selects a treatment regimen. But treatment should always be combined. First, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed. Among such drugs are Tetracycline, Sulfanilamide, Penicillin, Azithromycin. Secondly, therapy is carried out aimed at maintaining immunity during the period of illness and easing its course. For this, immunostimulants are used, for example, Cycloferon is administered intravenously or intramuscularly. In addition, the patient must follow an appropriate diet: eat rationally and properly, take multivitamins, and completely stop drinking alcoholic beverages. Experts in some cases recommend laser irradiation of blood. This procedure can increase the effectiveness of antibiotics taken and have a beneficial effect on the immune system.

Consequences of the disease

As we have already said, if you consult a doctor in a timely manner, complications can be avoided. However, due to the fact that chlamydia is often asymptomatic, advanced disease is not at all uncommon. What threatens a woman who does not start treatment on time? A whole bunch of different ailments:

1. Cervicitis is an inflammatory process in the cervix.
2. Hemorrhagic cystitis - develops when bacteria penetrate the walls of the bladder.
3. Urethritis is an inflammatory process in the urethra.
4. Endometritis is an inflammatory process in the endometrium of the uterus.
5. Inflammation of the Bartholin glands lining the entrance to the vagina.
6. All kinds of inflammatory pathologies of the pelvic organs (ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes).
7. Obstruction of the fallopian tubes.
8. The appearance of chronic pain in the pelvic organs.
9. Inflammatory process in the liver.
10. Infertility.

Complications that may occur in pregnant women include:

Prevention of chlamydia

As you probably already understood from the material presented, the penetration of chlamydia into the body leads to many health problems. We all know the truism that it is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it. Without a doubt this is true. What should you do to protect yourself from such an unpleasant and dangerous disease?

Firstly, you need to have a permanent sexual partner whose health you have no doubt about. Secondly, it is necessary to abandon casual sexual contacts with different men. Many people ask: “Why deprive yourself of pleasure, because you can protect yourself?” Of course, using contraception will reduce the risk of infection, but will not completely protect against it. Unfortunately, today there are no contraceptives that provide a 100% guarantee of protection against infection with any disease. Also, do not forget to regularly visit a specialist and undergo routine examinations. And, of course, follow all personal hygiene instructions: use only your own towel and washcloth; If you do not live alone, treat the bathtub before washing.

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. It is important for any adult to know the signs of chlamydia, since complications of this pathology can lead to infertility. Symptoms in men may be mild, while in women the symptoms are more obvious. Often this condition goes unnoticed by patients, which significantly complicates subsequent treatment.

This pathology is caused by chlamydia, which is not a virus, but it can no longer be classified as bacteria. This “dual” nature of the pathogen somewhat complicates treatment and makes diagnosis difficult. It is important to know that the incubation period of chlamydia can last up to 1 month, during which an infected person can infect their partners. The risk of infection is greater in women than in men, which is explained by physiological characteristics.

Etiology and routes of infection

Chlamydia is a very small gram-negative round bacteria

Such carriage can continue for many years until a state of immunosuppression develops. It can be triggered by severe hypothermia or uncontrolled use of antibiotics. In most cases, infection occurs through sexual contact, although contact with a sick person does not always lead to infection - this happens in one case out of four. However, the risk of infection is greater in women.

If a pregnant woman suffers from chlamydia, then during childbirth the child is almost guaranteed to become infected. Chlamydia can also be contracted through household contact - for this, the pathogen must penetrate from dirty hands into the eyes or genitals. Despite the low probability, this is possible, since chlamydia can survive for up to 2 days in humid conditions at temperatures up to 19 degrees.

Chlamydia clinic

It is worth understanding that chlamydia is often asymptomatic, or the symptoms are minimal. According to statistics, up to 47% of men and 67% of women are completely unaware that they have such a pathology.

In most cases, in men, the first sign of chlamydia is months-long urethritis - a mild inflammation of the urethra. It is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• small amounts of glassy discharge from the urethra;
• pain or burning when urinating;
• unexpressed pain in the urethra, scrotum or lower back;
• slight rise in temperature;
• weakness;
• cloudy urine.

About half of men do not notice the symptoms of the disease

In more serious cases, men may experience blood after a while during ejaculation or at the end of urination. In the urine itself, purulent threads can be identified.

Symptoms in women

In women, the first sign is discharge due to chlamydia, which a woman may not pay attention to for some time. But after some time they become mucopurulent, and may have an unpleasant odor - how long this will take depends on the individual characteristics of the woman herself. Other symptoms that appear in women include:

• pain in the lower abdomen, intensifying before menstruation;
• intermenstrual bleeding;
• symptoms of general intoxication – weakness, fever.

Sometimes chlamydia can persist in the form of isolated microcolonies located on the mucous membranes. It is impossible to detect such carriage using standard clinical, instrumental or laboratory examination methods - only high-precision diagnostics, for example, PCR, will help.

Diagnostics

It is very difficult to diagnose this pathology, even knowing how chlamydia manifests itself. Symptoms in men and women are extremely inexpressive, and no matter how much standard diagnostic measures are carried out, this disease cannot be identified and treatment cannot be prescribed. Since chlamydia is an intracellular microorganism, a standard smear will not help identify it; a scraping is required, in which the patient’s cells can be taken for analysis.

Currently, the disease can be detected through certain laboratory tests.

• PCR (polymerase chain reaction). This is the most effective technique, whose specificity is equal to 100%. A small amount of material is needed to carry out the reaction, and after 1-2 days the patient receives the result - unlike many other methods, PCR does not require confirmation of a positive result. The disadvantage is the relatively high cost.
• ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Allows you to detect antibodies in the blood of a man or woman that appear there in response to infection. The method allows not only to identify the pathogen, but also to quickly determine the stage of the process (acute or chronic process). The accuracy of ELISA does not exceed 60%, since specific antibodies can also be found in healthy people - in those who have previously been cured (serological scar) or in cross-reactions.

Laboratory diagnostics are of primary importance in the diagnosis of chlamydia

• Sowing. This is a culture method with an efficiency of 90%, and simultaneous determination of sensitivity to antibiotics. The result will be known in a few days, since this is the most labor-intensive method. The undoubted advantage of chlamydia culture is the simultaneous determination of the antibiotic that will kill the patient's chlamydia.
• General smear. The attractiveness of this microscopic analysis is that it is cheap and simple, but the efficiency is no higher than 15%. In reality, it is impossible to identify chlamydia in this way; one can only suspect their presence in the body based on indirect signs. In men, a smear is taken from the urethra, and in women, additionally from the vagina and cervix. The results become known quite quickly.
• REEF. The immunofluorescence reaction is carried out as follows: a smear is taken (urethra or cervical canal), stained with a special solution, and sent for examination under a fluorescent microscope. The accuracy of this reaction does not exceed 50%. The results come very quickly - within an hour, and this is the main advantage. Only a professional doctor should collect material for research, and an experienced laboratory technician should examine it. This is due to the fact that the interpretation of the result is carried out with the eyes, and the risk of making a mistake is quite high.

As a means of self-prevention of chlamydia, you can periodically purchase a “mini-test” in pharmacies, although its accuracy does not exceed 20%.

Treatment

Treatment of chlamydia in our country was radically changed only in the 21st century. Since the beginning of the 90s, it has been ineffective, long-lasting and has a lot of side effects. Nowadays, chlamydia prevention is actively carried out, and the treatment itself takes no more than a month. Despite the positive changes, curing this pathology still remains a difficult task, and positive results can be achieved only in 70% of cases. This applies to urogenital chlamydia, which often cannot be cured with antibiotics.

Although only two antibiotics are often used, proper and active treatment for men and women includes the use of a whole range of medications. Specific treatment is selected only by the attending physician based on a variety of data:

• the presence or absence of characteristic symptoms;
• process stages;
• immunograms;
• liver test;
• blood tests and urine cultures;
• PCR, ELISA and other studies, if carried out.

Men and women develop inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system as a result of infection

One of the important points of treatment is the stimulation of the own immunity of a man or woman with a confirmed diagnosis of chlamydia. No matter how many antibiotics you take on your own, the disease will not go away, since it is impossible to cure it solely with these drugs. The treatment process necessarily includes taking immunostimulants, since there are cases where only thanks to an adequate immune response of the body’s own, it was possible to cure chlamydia when antibiotics were powerless. Based on the test results, the doctor will most likely prescribe the following groups of drugs for treatment:

• immunomodulators;
• hepatoprotectors;
• enzymes;
• probiotics;
• antihistamines;
• antibiotics.

Chlamydia manifests itself differently in women

The doctor will also decide how much and what medications to take, since the wrong combination can seriously harm the patient.

Complications and prevention of chlamydia

Among the common and serious complications of chlamydia, the following should be noted:

• Reiter's disease;
• urethral stricture;
• orchiepididymitis, often leading to infertility in men;
• chronic prostatitis;
• inflammatory diseases in women in the pelvic organs;
• miscarriages or infection of the newborn.

The symptoms of chlamydia are not pleasant, and treatment is expensive. Therefore, it is better to think about its prevention. The rules are quite simple and the same for all sexually transmitted diseases - sexual hygiene, a permanent partner, exclusion of casual relationships and immediate consultation with a doctor at the slightest suspicion of possible infection. You also need to remember that symptoms may be completely absent.

More and more people are interested in what chlamydia is and the causes of its occurrence. This is due to the constantly growing number of cases.

In order to protect yourself, loved ones should know about the origin and methods of protection. Infection with this disease occurs through the entry of a pathogen into the body - chlamydia. Strains of chlamydia differ depending on the type of pathogen.

The two most common types of this disease are associated with infection of the respiratory tract and damage to the urogenital area.

Chlamydia pneumoniae causes respiratory tract diseases (bronchitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis). Both children and adults with reduced immunity can become infected with this variant; the disease is transmitted by airborne droplets.

Chlamydia trachomatis– the causative agent of the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia, which is transmitted exclusively through sexual contact.

The causes of chlamydia are as varied as its types. But one common feature for all species is reduced protective functions of the body.

The period when the immune system is suppressed, the risk of becoming infected with bacteria is highest. Once in a strong body, where the protective functions work at full strength, chlamydia will die.

Under other circumstances, it has a good chance of penetrating the body's cells, which directly leads to infection.

Poor nutrition, untreated illnesses, chronic diseases, low levels of vitamins in the autumn, pregnancy - all these are the reasons for reduced immunity in which the likelihood of infection increases by 50%.

Chlamydia of the respiratory tract

Chlamydia pneumoniae enters the body through the air. The queue for an appointment with a doctor is a place where any patient with a cough, sore throat, or any diseases of the lungs or bronchi can be infected with chlamydia. They are the ones who provoke such diseases.

Without proper treatment and care, bacteria contribute to the development of chronic diseases and can cause asthma, pneumonia, even heart problems.

Complications from these bacteria are very severe and difficult to treat at an advanced stage.

Urogenital strain

This type of disease is the most common and is classified as a sexually transmitted disease. Chlamydia trachomatis penetrates the cells of the genital organs, feeds on the cell mass, grows, multiplies, causing side diseases and complications. The female body is most susceptible to this type.

Urogenital chlamydia in women and the causes of its occurrence are slightly different from the male version of the disease. It's about microflora, the habitat of bacteria. The female body is most convenient for chlamydia to live and reproduce.

The risk of disease is especially high when estrogen levels decrease. This period occurs during menopause and pregnancy.

The first symptom that may indicate infection with chlamydia may be simple inflammatory processes. Depending on the location of the bacteria, this may be vaginitis, colpitis, which will be accompanied by characteristic discharge, nagging pain in the lower abdomen, and over time itching and burning may appear.

Chlamydia is especially dangerous for pregnant women:

• the danger is the risk of transmission of the disease from mother to child, which can cause serious problems in the development of the fetus;
• this is a serious threat of miscarriage or premature birth;
• there is a threat for the mother herself to suffer serious health complications.

As for women, this disease also poses a significant threat to men.

In addition to the chronic condition, this disease can serve as a reason for impaired potency, infertility, and chronic pain in the pelvic area. In addition, chlamydia can be diagnosed in men only after completing the full incubation period, which reaches 28 days.

Other types of infection

There are 15 known types of chlamydia. The listed types are the most common in our society. Another less rare way of contracting the disease is through contact with animals and birds.

Some animals are carriers of this bacterium and can cause chlamydia to be introduced into the human body. This strain is called Chlamydia pecorum, Chlamydia psittaci and is the cause of ornithosis chlamdia.

How to protect yourself

The first rule for protection against urogenital chlamydia is protected sexual intercourse. Although this does not provide a 100% guarantee, it significantly reduces the risk of disease. Frequently changing partners can also cause chlamydia infection.

The appearance of the first signs of inflammation in the urogenital area may be a reason to check the body for the presence of bacteria. During a decrease in the body’s immune functions, you should refrain from visiting large crowds of patients. Visit such places only if absolutely necessary and with caution.

Do not neglect cotton-gauze bandages when going to the clinic or while traveling on public transport.

A healthy body can easily cope with bacteria without medication. But in case of infection, you should follow the entire range of measures prescribed by a specialist.

Chlamydia is a very tenacious bacteria, and also belongs to the types of organisms that are difficult to exterminate. Due to their biological abilities, they easily take root and spread quickly; just one remaining bacterium in the body can multiply very quickly and provoke a new lesion. Such lesions may appear in a new location, with new symptoms.

Guided by information about what chlamydia is and what causes it to occur in women, men, and children, you can protect yourself and your family from serious illness.

Regular examinations by a specialist and tests are also the key to health and the ability to begin treatment on time with the most successful outcome.

When going to see a doctor, people carry a lot of worries and fears. They have hundreds of questions. The first thing I always worry about is: what kind of disease do I have, how to get rid of it, and whether the disease can be cured.

Likewise, in their practice, doctors who are approached by people with chlamydia often hear the following alarming questions:

• What is chlamydia?
• How to identify chlamydia?
• Where does chlamydia come from?
• How long does it take for chlamydia to appear?
• How to treat chlamydia?
• Can chlamydia be cured?
• How is chlamydia treated?

This list can be continued endlessly; people with diseases have no limit to their excitement and they can be understood. It fell to our happy lot to answer all these questions, to put all your worries and fears aside. We will help you get rid of these questions. Let's start with the most important thing - the first question: What is chlamydia?

Chlamydial infection is a venereological infectious disease caused by several microorganisms.

Above we found out what chlamydia is, but this is not enough to get rid of chlamydia. Let's consider the second question: Where does it come from? What are the causes of chlamydia?

Today, chlamydial infection is one of the most common infections. Every year, the causative agent of chlamydia infects a million people.

The cause of chlamydia is microorganisms that invade the body and affect almost all organs and systems, causing various diseases.

Is chlamydia a bacteria or a virus?

Chlamydial infection in adults is most often transmitted:

• sexually (urogenital chlamydia),
• in close contact with the same infection in humans.

The causes of chlamydia also include: household contact and airborne transmission, which is not typical for other bacteria. These modes of disease transmission are less common. Chlamydia in rare cases can occur in those who do not maintain personal hygiene. Infection is also possible if there are other infections in the body, or with reduced immunity.

What happens during chlamydia?

Given this life cycle of chlamydia, the disease can be asymptomatic. First of all, microorganisms attach to the urethra, fallopian tubes, conjunctiva of the eyes, endometrium, causing various diseases of these organs.

The first symptoms may appear some time after infection. In rare cases (especially in children), symptoms may appear in the first weeks after infection.

Types of chlamydia and their effect

Our object can be added to the defined view. In nature, there are several types of chlamydia, each of them is dangerous for humans.

Types of chlamydia:

1. Pneumonia (chlamydia pneumonia) is transmitted by airborne droplets and leads to inflammation of the respiratory tract.
2. Chlamydophilafelis (chlamydia felis) - transmitted by contact with a cat, causes conjunctivitis.
3. Chlamydophilaabortus (chlamydia abortus) - transmitted from animals, causes miscarriages.
4. Chlamydiapsittaci (chlamydia psitaki) is a type of occupational disease; affects the bronchi and lungs.
5. Chlamydiatracomatis (chlamydia trachomatis) is pathogenic only for humans, transmitted mainly through sexual contact. Affects the genitals (urogenital chlamydia). In this case, it is a venereal disease.

Chlamydial infection in any form can affect different organs and systems. But there are certain species that are especially pathogenic for humans: Ch. psittaci, Ch. tracomatis and Ch. pneumonia.

Symptoms of chlamydia

This disease is insidious and dangerous. As mentioned above, the symptoms of chlamydia can appear after a long period of residence in the human body. Only in children they appear after birth. In addition, in adults, the symptoms may be vague; in children, the first symptoms are more similar to acute respiratory infections, which complicates the diagnosis.

Let's look at how chlamydia manifests itself:

1. Symptoms of chlamydia in women. The first symptoms of chlamydia in women appear as:

• mucous, purulent discharge from the genitals, with an odor;
• itching and burning;
• pain in the lower abdomen;
• pain when urinating;
• intoxication (weakness, high fever, headaches).

1. Chlamydia symptoms in men. Urogenital chlamydia in men manifests itself as:

• discharge from the urethra;
• itching and burning when urinating;
• pain when urinating;
• pain in the lower back and groin;
• swelling and redness of the urethra;
• pain in the rectum;
• intoxication (weakness, high temperature).

If you experience the above symptoms of chlamydia, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diagnosis of chlamydia

Why is diagnostics needed? You can put an equal sign between diagnosis and treatment. After a complete examination, you can accurately determine the disease, and knowing the diagnosis, you can prescribe treatment. Therefore, it is not in vain that experts say: diagnosis is the floor of treatment. Most often, chlamydia can be discovered accidentally (for example, determined during medical examinations).

Knowing how chlamydia manifests itself, you can select the necessary diagnostic tests.

1. RIF - scrapings are taken from three points (cervix, vagina and urethra) with a probability of no more than 50%.
2. ELISA - detection of antibodies to the pathogen. Detection of chlamydia in the blood. But at the same time, this method is considered unreliable, since the presence of chlamydia in the blood does not indicate the disease itself. Probability 50%.
3. LCR - appeared quite recently. Detects chlamydia in urine.
4. PCR is the most sensitive test. Almost 100% probability.
5. Bacterial culture - culture for bacteria with sensitivity to antibiotics. Probability 90%.

Treatment regimen

Here we come to the main questions:

• how to cure chlamydia?
• Is chlamydia completely curable?
• How long does it take to treat chlamydia?

Treatment of chlamydia is a long and complex process. After a full examination, test results (detection of chlamydia in the blood and in smears), taking into account the general condition of the body, existing symptoms (may not manifest themselves for a long time), your doctor will draw up a treatment regimen for chlamydia. Dosages are selected individually. Treatment for men is the same as for women. But both partners are treated at the same time.

Don’t think about how to quickly cure chlamydia, think about how to be properly examined and how to be treated correctly.

Chlamydia needs to be treated in three stages: the primary stage is preparing the patient for treatment, then the main therapy and the recovery stage. The duration of treatment is approximately 20-30 days.

Treatment regimen for chlamydia (complex treatment of chlamydia is usually prescribed):

1. Treatment with antibacterial therapy.

Basic treatment regimen:

• doxycycline (unidox-solutab, doxibene, vibration) – refers to tetracyclines.
• azithromycin (sumamed, zomax, hemomycin) – belongs to macrolides.
• josamycin (vilprafen) – belongs to macrolides.

Alternative treatment:

• Clarithromycin (clacid, fromilid) – belongs to the macralides. Erythromycin (eracin) is a macrolide.
• ofloxacin (zanocin, tarivid, ofloxin) – belongs to the fluoroquinolones.
• ciprofloxacin (tsifran, tsiprinol, tsiprobay, tsiprobid) – refers to fluoroquinolones.

1. Local therapy:

Control tests are not taken immediately, but 2-3 weeks after therapy.

Prevention

Of course, after such treatment the disease is cured. But even cured chlamydia requires restorative therapy (restoration of intestinal flora, immunity, liver function and reproductive system).

If the disease is detected in time, it is possible to cure it the first time. But even after complete recovery, prevention must be carried out to avoid relapses.

The most important thing is to have a discriminating sex life, maintain your immune system, consult a doctor on time, and get tested for infections. And of course, we make sure to get rid of negative thoughts.

Which doctors should I contact?

Usually people don't like going to doctors. Sometimes they are simply uncomfortable saying: “I am being treated for an infection.” But once symptoms appear, what do you do?! Are you thinking about who to contact? Below we will tell you which doctors you can make an appointment with.

Chlamydia is treated by several specialists: dermatovenerologists, urologists and obstetricians-gynecologists. Men can turn to dermatovenerologists and urologists. Women mostly go for a consultation with a gynecologist, but they can also turn to dermatovenerologists. At your appointment, your doctor will explain what chlamydia infection is; who may develop this disease; will inform you about how long it may take for complications to arise; will tell you in detail about the symptoms and treatment; will tell you whether chlamydia can be cured; will create a diagnostic list and treatment plan for you.

Complications and prognosis

There is no need to wait for the complications described below to appear; you should consult a doctor in time so as not to miss the progression of the disease.

Complications in women

1. Inflammation of the pelvic organs (infection of the uterine appendages, inflammation of the fallopian tubes).
2. Colpitis (replenishment of the vaginal mucosa).
3. Cervicitis (replenishment of the cervix), cervical erosion. The disease often increases the risk of cervical cancer.
4. Endometritis (replenishment of the endometrium).
5. Bartholinitis (inflammation of the large gland of the vestibule). This inflammation leads to the formation of a Bartholin gland cyst and an abscess (opening of the cyst).
6. Infertility.
7. Habitual miscarriage.
8. Spontaneous termination of pregnancy in the early stages
9. Long-term intrauterine mortality.
10. Conjunctivitis with inclusions (more common in children).
11. Extensive damage to the respiratory system, heart, liver and gastrointestinal tract.
12. Damage to the skin and mucous membranes.

Complications in men

1. Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra.
2. Balanoposthitis is a lesion of the glans penis and foreskin.
3. Prostatitis is a lesion of the prostate gland.
4. Cysts on the prostate gland.
5. Atrophy and sclerosis of the prostate gland.
6. Decreased function and shrinkage of the prostate gland.
7. Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva.
8. Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa.
9. Arthritis is damage to the joints.
10. Orchitis is inflammation of the testicle.
11. Epididymitis is inflammation of the epididymis.
12. Vesiculitis is inflammation of the seminal vesicles.
13. Extensive damage to the respiratory system, heart, liver, gastrointestinal tract (mainly rectum).
14. Peritonitis is inflammation of the parietal and visceral layers of the peritoneum.
15. Deterioration in sperm production.
16. Impotence.
17. Pyelonephritis – replenishment of the kidneys.
18. Narrowing of the urethra.

With timely detection and proper treatment, the prognosis can be quite favorable.

We will answer: “Yes”!

We have come a long way before reaching the end. Let's discuss what we found out?!

Chlamydial infection is insidious, capricious, dangerous. And nothing good can be expected from chlamydia. The symptoms leave much to be desired, and the treatment is long and multi-stage. Not everything is so sad, because you received a lot of useful information: you learned how to identify chlamydia; who to contact; learned how to get rid of the infection.

Chlamydia may be a dangerous disease, but we have answers to all the questions:

– How to cure chlamydia?

– Is chlamydia curable?

- Yes! And this is not a joke!

– Will the infection go away forever? That's for sure?

- Yes! Certainly! Without a doubt!

So as not to worry, we will answer: “Yes”!

But let's not forget:

• The treatment regimen is drawn up individually for each person;
• only a doctor, taking into account all your data, can provide effective treatment for chlamydia;
• Under no circumstances should you self-medicate.

Take care of your health and do not be afraid to consult a doctor.