chlamydia

In Germany alone, an estimated 1.1 million people have the infection in the body, that is, on the average of the adults on the 30th, among the adolescents, it has even every 16. Chlamydia multiply very slowly and often do initially no complaints. Like internal fungi, these bacteria can hide in the organism for years without us noticing.

However, if the body's defense is weakened, for example by a disease or extreme stress over a long time, the secret infection becomes apparent. In women, common pelvic pain with no apparent cause, bleeding and vaginal discharge are typical signs. Even if it seems exaggerated: have such seemingly banal complaints clarified by the doctor. Because a chlamydia infection can lead to serious diseases and permanent damage to health. An example: In about 40 percent of women who have been infected with chlamydia, the bacteria reach the fallopian tubes. The result: About every fifth of these women can not have children.



Particularly at risk: teens and twens

Chlamydia get into the body especially during sex. "Chlamydia can not be fetched in the sauna, swimming pool or public toilets," says gynecologist and chlamydia expert Professor Eiko Petersen from the Freiburg University Women's Hospital. The most common of sexually transmitted diseases is common among teens and twens. For with them the mucous membranes of the sexual organs, through which chlamydia enter the body, are more permeable than later. And also the immune system still has to practice to ward off such pathogens. In addition: Young people change their partner more often than older ones. For this reason too, the risk of infection is higher for them.



The test methods for detection

If a Chlamydia infection is suspected, a (often unpleasant) mucosal smear has been made so far. But the results are not always reliable: "At least one third of the infections are overlooked," says Professor Petersen. Recently, a new genetic test on the market. It provides almost 100% reliable results, and a urine sample is sufficient for the examination.

The price of about 75 marks is the health insurance companies, however, too high. Therefore they do not pay the "LCR" test so far. A nonsensical practice, says Professor Petersen. "There is no money for the early detection, but the treatment of the preventable sequelae is then paid."

A recent study by the National Institute for Infectious Diseases in the USA shows that the new test methods are better. With a PCR test - similar to the LCR a genetic engineering method - physicians were able to increase the accuracy of detection in women by 22 percent, in monks even by two-thirds.



At your own expense, you can have the LCR test performed by gynecologists and urologists. Anyone who has been infected should also send his partner or doctor to the doctor. Because the probability that both have the infection is great.

The drugs for quick help

Women who have the typical symptoms (frequent pelvic pain, etc.) should seek medical attention, for example with the new LCR Chlamydia test. But then it is only at your own expense - because even with clear signs of infection doctors can not settle this test with the health insurance. Who can but should invest the money. If symptoms are already noticeable, treatment must start within a few days.

Antibiotics from the group of tetracyclines, which have to be taken for about ten days, have proven to be useful. Recently, we also have the new drug azithromycin, of which a single dose is sufficient.

In the beginning, the infection can usually be dealt with quickly. If it has become chronic, the treatment can take months.

The best protection

American experts are calling for young women to be regularly tested for chlamydia - even if they have no symptoms. Because with them an unrecognized infection can do the worst damage. What could bring such a "chlamydia screening" has been demonstrated in several studies, such as in the United States in the Seattle area. The results were published in the prestigious journal "The New England Journal of Medicine": By screening and timely treatment of the infection, the incidence of abdominal inflammation in young women can be halved.

The only effective prevention against the pathogens is safe sex - that is, only with a condom.

The potential consequences of the infection

What the infection in the body can do if it is not treated in time:

in women:

  • Abdominal inflammations - unwanted childlessness
  • Ectopic pregnancies: According to an estimate by the expert Professor Eiko Petersen 100,000 women in Germany currently can not have children, because the fallopian tubes are stuck as a result of the infection
  • recurrent cystitis

in men:

  • Inflammation of the urethra, prostate and epididymis
  • Infertility as a possible consequence in men is also discussed: Some scientists assume that chlamydia can also damage the sperm.

by both:

  • Conjunctival and eye inflammations. Both can also occur in newborns, if they have been infected with their mother during birth.
  • increased risk of AIDS: chlamydia damages the mucous membranes. The risk of becoming infected with HIV in unprotected sex increases three to five times as much
  • Pneumonia in a certain form ("atypical pneumonia") can also be triggered by chlamydia
  • chlamydia has recently been associated with heart disease as well. However, it is a matter of another type of these terms, which is transmitted by droplet infection (e.g., coughing).

Time for a chlamydia test?

Let's examine if

  • You have the typical complaints
  • certain sequelae such as bladder infections occur again or again, or you do not feel better despite treatment
  • You are pregnant or would like to have a child.

Since chlamydia infections are transmitted back and forth during sex, the partner should always be examined!

Sexual Health | What Is Chlamydia? | StreamingWell.com (March 2024).



Infection, Germany, USA, chlamydia