Silent Epidemic Disease : Chlamydia Infection

Chlamydia infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in young women. And it also happens to men. Tens of millions of people worldwide are infected with chlamydia every year. Although people originally called chlamydia quite a poetic name “miyagawanella”, it’s a dangerous pathogenic microorganism which will cause organs injury and induce various complex complications. Therefore, it’s imperative to attach more importance to Chlamydia infection since it is a severe health threat worldwide.      

 

Chlamydia widely exists in nature. This kind of parasite mainly live in the body of humans, birds and mammals. There are several kinds of Chlamydia that are capable to  cause diseases to human, including chlamydia trachomatis, pneumonia chlamydia and chlamydia psittacosis pneumonia. The one that can cause the biggest damage to human health is chlamydia trachomatis, which can lead to eye infections like conjunctivitis, urinary and reproductive system infections, and a variety of complications.  

 

Chlamydia have unusual biological characteristics. When it invades to the body and enters the cells, it will consume the nutrition and increase to large numbers. Then the cells will be disintegrated, which will cause severe organs and tissues injuries. Then the large numbers of its descendants will go into the blood stream and develop strong contagious abilities. All of them enter the cells to consume nutrition. What’s worse, when Chlamydia are under the adverse living environment, such as using   antibacterial agents or the body immunity is improved, Chlamydia will in a state of “suspended animation”. When the body immunity is reduced, it will flare up. That’s why many chlamydia patients can’t get a full recovery or develop chronic.   

 

Recent years, chlamydia infection is prevalent rapidly worldwide. The new chlamydia cases worldwide is 90 million every year, USA accounts for 5 million, and Western Europe is 10 million. This STD is very common in developed and developing countries. The morbidity of gonorrhea in many countries is decreased gradually, however, chlamydia trachomatis is increased year by year. In Russia, among the sexually active healthy women, the infection rate of chlamydia is 8%~40%, and nearly 10% in men. Generally speaking, the high risk group of Chlamydia infection include young and middle aged people, people with multiple sexual partners, gays and lesbians. 

 

Chlamydia infection can spread unknowingly. According to the statistics, 67% male patients and 46% female patients have no visible symptoms. They don’t know they have infected but the infection can spread to their partners. The infection can hide for more than several months or years. That’s why chlamydia infection in called silent epidemic disease.    

 

If a man is infected with Chlamydia, it will induce urethritis and prostatitis. Severe condition will also cause epididymitis and azoospermia. And the infection can affect the seminal duct, seminal vesicle, and testicles, which will do reduce the sperm quality and then lead to male infertility. Chlamydia infection can also affect women severely. The infection can invade the urethra, cervix and greater vestibular gland, which can cause corresponding inflammations. The infection can also spread upward and induce endometritis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), salpingitis and even infertility.

 

Prevention tips:  

 

1.Practice safe sex and use condoms when having sex.  

 

2.Take a timely and proper medication if diagnosed with Chlamydia.  

 

3.Avoid sexual intercourse during the treatment to prevent the cross infection. And ask the partner to have a test and take a medication. 

 

4.Keep an eye on other complications and take corresponding treatments.

 

5.Have regular test for Chlamydia.