Caused by bacteria, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, are believed to be the most common sexually transmitted infections. What is particularly notable is that the large majority of people who contracts these infections are below the age of 26.
It’s difficult to know exactly how common these Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are, because lots of people who have them never have symptoms and never get tested—which means they may be more common than we think. These infections, if untreated, can have serious long term effects. We will discuss them in detail, with the hope that this knowledge is passed on to help decrease their spread.
WHAT ARE CHLAMYDIA AND GONORRHEA?
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are two different infections that you can catch during sex. They cause similar symptoms.
These infections can affect the:
*Sex organs
*Urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body)
*Throat
*Rectum or anus (especially in men who have sex with men)
Infections that you can catch during sex are called “sexually transmitted infections.”
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CHLAMYDIA AND GONORRHEA?
Often these infections cause no symptoms. But when they do, the symptoms are different for men than for women.
*In women, the symptoms of both infections include:
•Vaginal discharge
•Abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting
•Belly pain
•Pain during sex
•Burning or pain during urination
In addition to the symptoms listed above, in women gonorrhea can also cause itching of the vagina or anus.
*In men, the symptoms of both infections include:
•Burning or pain during urination
•Discharge from the penis
•Pain, swelling, or tenderness of the testicles
ARE THERE TESTS FOR CHLAMYDIA AND GONORRHEA?
Yes. Your doctor can test you for these infections using a:
*Urine sample
*Sample from inside the vagina, if you are a woman
Your doctor might also take a sample from your throat or rectum, if those areas might be infected.
SHOULD I SEE A DOCTOR?
Yes, you should see a doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed above. You should also see a doctor if any of your sexual partners have been diagnosed with either infection. Even if you have no symptoms, you could be infected.
Your doctor might want to test you for sexually transmitted infections now and in the future.
HOW ARE CHLAMYDIA AND GONORRHEA TREATED?
The main treatment for both infections is antibiotics. The antibiotics for gonorrhea come in a single shot and a pill. The antibiotic for chlamydia comes in a pill. Treatment might involve taking a single pill, or it might involve taking medicine for a whole week. No matter what, make sure you take all the pills your doctor prescribes. Otherwise the infection might come back.
If you learn that you have chlamydia or gonorrhea, you should tell all the people you have had sex with recently. They might also be infected (even if they have no symptoms) and need treatment.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T GET TREATED?
Leaving chlamydia or gonorrhea untreated can cause long term problems for both men and women. In women it can lead to a problem called “pelvic inflammatory disease,” or “PID.” PID can cause pain and make it hard to get pregnant. In men and women, leaving gonorrhea untreated can lead to joint infections and arthritis and even chronic kidney disease. It can also increase the risk of becoming infected with HIV.
CAN CHLAMYDIA AND GONORRHEA BE PREVENTED?
You can reduce your chances of getting chlamydia or gonorrhea by:
*Using a latex condom every time you have sex
*Avoiding sex when you or your partner has any symptoms that could be caused by an infection (such as itching, discharge, or pain with urination)
*Not having sex
*Avoid multiple sexual partners
Contracting chlamydia/gonorrhea can lead to serious complications, especially if it’s not treated promptly. This is a case where prevention is better than cure. But if you do contract or suspect you have contracted chlamydia/gonorrhea, do not hesitate to get appropriate treatment.
