Alternative Therapies

Chlamydia derives its name from a Greek word meaning “cloak”. It is an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) that is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, which is only found in humans. It is transmitted mainly through vaginal, anal and oral sex.

This infection affects the genitals and, sometimes, the eyes as well. It affects both men and women and is one of the most wide-spread infections in humans. The bacteria causing this infection are found to be living naturally only in human cells.

Symptoms in men
This infection is mostly asymptomatic in women but generally shows symptoms in men. Some of those symptoms have been listed below.

• Urethritis or inflammation of the urethra, seen in about 50% cases.
• Dysuria or unusual white discharge from the penis with or without pain during urination.
• Swollen or tender testicles.
• Epydidymitis, which affects the epydidymis and can lead to sterility.
• Fever.

If the infection goes unnoticed or untreated, it can cause serious health and reproductive problems. There could be short and long term consequences that the individual may have to face if treatment of the infection is neglected.

Here is a brief description of the diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydia.

Diagnosis

• Nuclear Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT) like the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
• Transcription Mediated Amplification (TMA)
• DNA Strand Displacement Amplification (SDA)

NAAT tests are done with urethral swabs or samples of voided urine.

Treatment once detected
Antobiotis treatment as suggested by the Centre for Disease Control:

• Azithromycin
• Doxycycline
• Tetracycline
• Erythromycin

Untested treatments

• Ciprofloxacin

The treatment and medications mentioned are strictly informative in nature and must be taken under medical supervision ONLY.