If you’re thinking of hooking up with a new love interest or reconnecting with an old flame – sexual health can sometimes be overlooked in the heat of the moment. So as you enjoy life, remember that chlamydia is a silent risk.
Chlamydia is more common in Mzansi than we think. It often goes unnoticed, with many experiencing no symptoms or only mild ones. It can also reoccur even after treatment.
Sylvia Mzinyathi, a nurse from Ikhwezi Clinic in Nomzamo, Strand in the Western Cape, explains that early signs of chlamydia may resemble those of other sexually transmitted infections.
Some common symptoms in women include discharge that may appear yellow or brown, lower abdominal pain, and pink eye. In men, symptoms may include swelling of the testicles, burning during urination, urethral discharge, or a burning sensation and itching of the penis.
“We test for chlamydia by collecting urine samples and sending them to the lab.”
Sylvia Mzinyathi
She adds, “Although this isn’t a routine practice at our facility, we take samples when a patient frequently presents with symptoms.”
She advises that taking safety precautions is essential: use condoms, test regularly, stick to one sexual partner, and seek treatment for any sexually transmitted infections.
Mzinyathi adds that chlamydia can affect the tubes that transport sperm, which may impact men’s ability to have children.
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Diagnosis and testing
In most cases, chlamydia can be present without any signs or symptoms (asymptomatic), says Thulisa Dyantyi, a sexual and reproductive health nurse from Gugulethu, Cape Town.
She explains that chlamydia is typically diagnosed through signs and symptoms, along with an examination of the genital area.
“There is a test, not available in public health facilities, called NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test), which involves taking a sample of body fluid from the cervix, anus, vagina, eyes, or throat to detect the genetic material (DNA) of chlamydia.”
In women, a vaginal examination may be performed, along with a bimanual examination to check for pain when the cervix is moved, she says.
For men, the affected area may be examined to check for any milky or yellow discharge from the urethra or swelling of the testicles or lymph nodes.
Dyantyi advises that it is important to disclose the diagnosis to your partner so both of you can be treated to prevent reinfection.
A guide for the sexually active
If you are sexually active, you should be tested at least once a year or whenever symptoms of chlamydia arise, explains Dyantyi. She adds that this is especially important for those with multiple sexual partners, risky sexual behaviours due to substance abuse, or when in a relationship with an unfaithful partner.
“Treatment involves prescribed antibiotics such as Ceftriaxone, Azithromycin, and Metronidazole,” she says.
“In the case of a Ceftriaxone allergy, the Azithromycin dose can be increased, and Ceftriaxone should be omitted.”
Dyantyi notes that most people report feeling better within 12 hours after treatment, but it’s best to practice safer sex even after treatment. If there is no recovery after seven days, a follow-up visit is recommended.
She adds that after treating a patient with chlamydia, they are given partner notification slips to pass on to their sexual partners so they can also be treated, whether or not they have symptoms.
“This is why it’s important to practice safer sex until the partner is also treated, to prevent reinfection, or to reduce the number of sexual partners to one.”
Thulisa Dyantyi
The long-term risks
In men, chlamydia can worsen to the point of erectile dysfunction, while in women it may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, or ectopic pregnancies, Dyantyi explains.
“Women who have frequent exposure to sexually transmitted infections may also contract another STI called human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a leading cause of cervical cancer.”
She further notes that overexposure to sexually transmitted infections increases the risk of contracting diseases like HIV.
Dyantyi warns that repeated chlamydia infections can lead to antibiotic resistance, which may require the use of broader-spectrum antibiotics that are not available at primary health clinics. If treated early, there are no long-term effects, but it’s crucial to avoid reinfection.
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