What is the Treatment of Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacteria which can live in human body fluids such as urine and blood. This bacterium is spread through oral, genital, and anal contact, typically during sexual intercourse. The treatment of chlamydia usually requires a dose of antibiotics to kill the bacterium and eliminate any discomfort or symptoms caused by the infection. To treat chlamydia, doctors commonly prescribe antibiotics such as azithromycin or doxycycline.

Chlamydia can be diagnosed through laboratory tests that analyze urine, blood or tissue specimens for traces of the bacterium that causes the STD. Proper treatment of Chlamydia requires a positive identification of the bacterium, as particular antibiotic treatments are specifically prescribed to treat and resolve Chlamydia. Once a medical professional has clearly identified a Chlamydia infection, he can prescribe proper treatment.

The treatment of chlamydia is very routine and typically easy to self-administer. Patients usually take a course of antibiotics, which often includes either azithromycin or doxycycline. Patients can take a single dose of the antibiotic azithromycin, and this typically eradicates the infection. Alternatively, patients can select to treat an infection by taking a daily dose of the antibiotic doxycycline for a full week.

Treatment for chlamydia also typically requires abstinence from sexual intercourse, as sexual activity can increase the risk of reinfection through the transfer of infected body fluids. A patient who is in treatment for chlamydia should abstain from sexual contact until he has completed his course of antibiotic treatment and tests negative for the infection. While safer sex practices, such as the use of condoms, can reduce the chance of infection, they can not guarantee that infection or reinfection won't occur.

The proper treatment of chlamydia also includes long-term prevention methods. Safer sex practices such as barrier methods and mutually monogamous sexual relationships are highly recommended by medical professionals. In the event of an infection, prompt treatment of chlamydia with antibiotics is essential to maintaining the health of reproductive organs, and sexually active individuals should be routinely screened for this and all other STD's.

Chlamydia can often occur without noticeable symptoms. If symptoms do occur they typically produce burning on urination and possible pain and swelling in the reproductive organs. Long-term chlamydia infection in women can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and permanent damage to female reproductive organs. The proper treatment of chlamydia is essential to maintaining long-term reproductive health in both men and women.