Features of the manifestation of chronic chlamydia. Features of symptoms and treatment of chronic chlamydia Treatment of chronic chlamydia

Content

The disease is an infection that is difficult to treat even with the use of potent drugs and antibiotics. The complexity of the disease lies in its difficult detection, because it occurs unnoticed, with virtually no symptoms, but with frequent relapses. It becomes chronic, causing inconvenience to both men and women. The course of treatment can range from one day to several years.

What is chronic chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a group of infections that are sexually transmitted through the vagina and rectum, and less commonly through oral sex. Caused by chlamydia - pathogenic microorganisms. There are two types of these bacteria:

1. The former cause ornithosis infection in people, birds, and animals;
2. The latter have 15 varieties, two of which affect the genitourinary system, causing urogenital chronic chlamydia.

Statistics show that 100 million people fall ill every year in the world. Up to 15% of sexually active people are infected with chlamydia. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection. This is due to the fact that the disease is an asymptomatic type, so venereologists pay special attention to combating it. Chlamydia causes a wide range of diseases, spreading throughout the body.

Symptoms

Patients do not realize that they are developing a chlamydial infection. They believe that the symptoms indicate cystitis or urethritis, because individual signs appear: discharge from the vagina and urethra with a white or yellow tint, burning when urinating, redness around the genitals. Symptoms are observed only after the disease becomes chronic with developing complications. The main symptoms include:

1. constantly occurring diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
2. sharp, long pain during defecation;
3. pain in the eyes;
4. joint pain.

In men

The disease in men occurs with virtually no symptoms; 50% of them can learn about the disease only after examination in the hospital. In the acute form, men are concerned about:

1. increase in body temperature to 37.5°C;
2. weakness, malaise;
3. glassy, ​​mucous, purulent discharge from the urethra;
4. itching, irritation, burning in the urethra when urinating;
5. cloudy urine;
6. spotting during urination or ejaculation;
7. pain in the groin and lower back;
8. redness, swelling of the external opening of the urethra;
9. discomfort in the perineum;
10. pain in the scrotum, anus.

These factors do not cause much discomfort and pass quickly, so many do not consult a doctor. The state of health is deteriorating, but unnoticeably. It becomes chronic. Chlamydia infection can trigger autoimmune processes and cause infertility, chronic prostatitis, and arthritis. The above symptoms are similar to signs of other infections, so it is possible to identify the pathogen only in a hospital after undergoing an examination.

Among women

Symptoms appear in only 33% of women; the rest can find out about the disease after visiting a doctor and undergoing secondary tests. The hidden course of the disease causes a number of complications and increases the chance of infecting a partner. Even a vaginal smear may be normal. During an exacerbation, women experience the following symptoms:

1. temperature increase to 37°C – 37.5°C;
2. pain in the lower abdomen, lumbar region;
3. frequent urge to urinate, pain;
4. pain when emptying the bladder;
5. signs of intoxication (weakness, fatigue, etc.);
6. mucopurulent, white, yellowish discharge with a pungent odor;
7. itching, irritation on the genital mucosa;
8. discharge with blood from the cervix;
9. cervical erosion (diagnosed by a gynecologist).

Chlamydia will bring many problems to pregnant women. Inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs may occur: salpingitis, endometritis and others. Adhesions appear and cicatricial changes occur in the urethral mucosa. Chlamydia leads to serious consequences: premature rupture of water and childbirth, diseases of the newborn: conjunctivitis, otitis media, atypical pneumonia and other diseases of the internal organs. The infection can cause miscarriage or intrauterine fetal death.

Causes of the disease

The causes of infection depend on contact with the microorganism. Each strain has its own effect on the body. The main cause of chronic chlamydia is ignoring the symptoms of the acute form of the disease. Chlamydia pathogens penetrate soft tissue cells. There are several routes of infection. The main ones are unprotected vaginal, anal, oral sexual contact. The risk of infection is 60%.

A newborn becomes infected with chlamydia from its mother while passing through the birth canal. This provokes future complications. The disease can be acquired by wearing shared underwear or using the same hygiene products. This type of infection is called contact-household infection. There is a risk of becoming infected by airborne droplets from a patient with pneumonia.

Treatment

Only doctors can determine the treatment method for chronic chlamydia, based on the results of blood, urine and immune enzyme tests, immunograms, liver tests, bacterial cultures, and polymerase chain reactions. To cure the disease, both partners need to see a doctor. The main drugs are antimicrobial because they eliminate chlamydial infestation. During therapy, 2 types of antibiotics are actively used.

For treatment, mixtures based on animal and plant enzymes are used. This method is called enzyme therapy; it increases the concentration of drugs at the site of infection. The liver and kidneys are stimulated, recovery is enhanced, and intoxication is reduced. The use of small doses of antioxidants and vitamins plays an important role in the treatment of chlamydia due to the effective strengthening of the immune system.

Hepatoprotectors are prescribed when using antibiotics to maintain a healthy liver during toxic exposure. They reduce inflammation and improve immunity. Probiotics increase the protective function of the intestines during treatment for diarrhea and dysbiosis. Immune drugs prevent germs from appearing. Taking antibiotics alone to achieve results in treating the disease will not work.

Treatment in women

There are no ready-made methods with algorithms for the treatment of chlamydia in women, because everything depends on the form and condition of the disease and the diseases present. The main therapy is a combination of antibiotics with immunomodulators. During treatment, avoid sexual intercourse or use a condom. Avoid alcohol and stimulants that lower the immune system.

Treatment regimen

There are different treatment regimens for chlamydia in women, which depend on many factors. The duration of the course, frequency and type of medication are prescribed. For chronic chlamydia, basic treatment and recovery are prescribed. If an inflammatory process has begun in the genitals, use the following scheme: you need to start with antibiotics, immune agents, vitamins, antioxidants, after a week add antifungal and enzyme drugs. With these and other complications during illness, contact your doctor to receive an individual regimen.

Azithromycin

Modern medicine has developed many drugs, but Azithromycin has proven to be much better than the rest. It quickly acts on chlamydia, eliminating possible complications due to deep penetration into infected cells. It accumulates, effectively destroying the pathogen, and microorganisms do not develop immunity to the drug.

Treatment in men

In order for treatment of chlamydia in men to be effective, you need to consult a doctor. Single and short courses of treatment will not help in therapy. Even if you choose the right drug, you won’t be able to create a treatment regimen on your own. The methodology is determined depending on the tests obtained, which are carried out only in medical institutions.

Treatment regimen

You can choose a treatment regimen for the chronic form of chlamydia in men based on the symptoms and clinical picture. Any regimen includes the use of antibacterial drugs, drugs that stimulate the immune system, probiotics and hepatoprotectors for recovery. At the same time, men attend physical therapy and use folk remedies: infusions and decoctions.

Is it possible to cure chlamydia forever?

The question of whether chlamydia can be cured forever arises in everyone who has been diagnosed with the disease. There is an opinion that chlamydia cannot be treated, so many people do not begin to fight the infection. There is no risk of death, but discomfort and complications will not keep you waiting. If you quickly detect the disease and choose the right treatment regimen, you will feel better within a month.

Chronic chlamydia in women is an advanced stage of the disease, resulting from the lack of adequate treatment in the acute course.

If the acute form of the disease has a number of characteristic symptoms, then in the chronic form they are practically absent. This makes diagnosis difficult and leads to complications.

Methods of infection

What is chronic chlamydia in women? This is a common sexually transmitted disease. Affects women and men.

In half of all cases, chlamydial infection is transmitted through unprotected sex with an infected sexual partner.

Risk factors

When the causative agent of the disease, chlamydia, enters a woman’s body, symptoms do not appear immediately.

With strong immune defense, the infection remains latent for a long time. However, under the following favorable conditions, it is activated and causes characteristic manifestations:

• previous colds, acute respiratory viral infections;
• addition of other sexually transmitted infections;
• stressful conditions;
• weakening of the immune system;
• promiscuous sex life with different partners.

With one of the listed factors, the progression of chlamydia begins, provided that it was previously infected. If left untreated, it becomes chronic.

Reasons for moving to another stage

The main reason for the disease to become chronic is the lack of treatment for the acute stage due to the absence of symptoms. Often, the infection goes completely unnoticed by the woman and does not manifest itself.

The second most common reason is incorrect diagnosis of the disease and inappropriate therapy. If during the examination the doctor did not detect chlamydia or mistook it for another disease, then the treatment will not have an effect. Meanwhile, the disease will reach a chronic stage.

Next is the resistance of chlamydia to the effects of drugs. The lack of comprehensive treatment or incorrectly selected drugs contribute to the development of immunity in pathological microorganisms.

Another reason is the woman’s failure to comply with the doctor’s recommendations for taking medications. Skipping pills or stopping the use of antibiotics and other medications on your own lead to complications. It may seem that the disease has receded, but this is not so.

Chronic chlamydia in women: what are the symptoms?

The chronic course of the disease, unlike the acute one, is even more difficult to replace. However, with a serious decrease in immune defense, the following symptoms are possible:

• Abundant with an unpleasant odor.
• Bloody elements in the discharge.
• Pain in the lower abdomen.
• Pain, burning and stinging when going to the toilet.

If left untreated at this stage, concomitant diseases of the reproductive system may develop:

• soldering process in pipes;
• cervical erosion;
• colpitis;
• cervicitis;
• cystitis.

Chlamydia is often detected during a routine visit to the gynecologist, when the doctor diagnoses an inflammatory process in the organs of the reproductive system.

In pregnant women

Chlamydia in pregnant women often has a latent course. The disease does not manifest itself with any signs and only during exacerbation does nagging pain in the abdomen and mucous discharge from the vagina containing pus occur.

Consequences

Early detection of chlamydia can be quickly treated with proper therapy. If more than two months have passed since infection, the disease becomes chronic.

Chronic chlamydia affects the functioning of the respiratory system, intestines, musculoskeletal system, genitourinary, and cardiovascular systems.

Complications may include the development of the following diseases:

• bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• conjunctivitis;
• arthritis;
• proctitis;
• pericarditis;
• endocarditis, etc.

One of the most severe consequences of the pathology is Reiter's syndrome. It is characterized by large-scale damage to the body, which affects the genitourinary system, joints and eyes.

Video about chlamydia

Treatment

Antibiotics are used. The choice of drug and treatment regimen takes into account individual indicators, body condition, duration and symptoms of the disease. Therapy has its own characteristics for pregnant women. In this situation, antibacterial drugs are mostly prohibited.

For chlamydia, antibiotics are prescribed:

The duration of the treatment course depends on the type of antibacterial drug chosen and its combination with other drugs as part of complex therapy.

The doctor must take into account possible complications of chronic chlamydia, examine the woman for the presence of concomitant infections and inflammatory diseases and supplement treatment if necessary.

With chlamydia, vaginal candidiasis or thrush often occurs, which contributes to disruption of the microflora. In this case, probiotics or suppositories with lactobacilli are prescribed.

When treating chronic chlamydia, treatment of the sexual partner is mandatory.

Chronic chlamydia in women is a disease that often occurs without symptoms. With a weakened immune system, discharge and an inflammatory process in the organs of the reproductive system begin. The treatment is long-term. For a complete recovery, you need to complete the entire course and follow the doctor’s recommendations.

The most common sexually transmitted disease is chlamydia. Treatment in women is complicated by the absence of severe symptoms in many cases. Meanwhile, the disease progresses and complications develop. Statistics show that over 140 million people are infected every year. What causes the disease, its symptoms, possible complications and what effective treatment exists for chlamydia in women will be discussed in this article.

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a range of diseases caused by different types of the Chlamydia bacterium. These microorganisms cause skin diseases, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. One type of chlamydia, namely Chlamydia trahomatis, contributes to the occurrence of urogenital chlamydia.

But usually at this stage, chlamydia is not treated in women; medications are not taken, since often the infected person is not aware of the disease due to the absence of symptoms. Meanwhile, the bacteria multiplies and new lesions appear. The incubation period of chlamydia is up to a month, depending on the person’s immunity.

Routes of infection

Genital chlamydia is transmitted sexually. Oral contraceptives and interrupted sexual intercourse cannot protect against infection. Infection occurs in 70% of cases during unprotected intimate relationships with a partner who is a carrier of the bacteria.

Chlamydia is transmitted from an infected mother to a newborn child both in utero and during labor. In medical science, there is controversy over the possibility of household transmission of the bacterium through shared personal hygiene products and underwear. It is known that chlamydia can exist in the external environment for up to 2 days. They die only when treated with high temperature. But what is the probability of a person being infected in this case - there is no consensus.

Forms of the disease

In medicine, two forms of chlamydia are distinguished depending on the degree of damage and duration of the disease. Each of them has its own symptoms and individual treatment regimen. The classification is as follows:

1. The fresh form affects the lower part of the genitourinary system. The duration of the disease is up to 2 months.
2. When the bacteria spread to the lower parts of the urinary tract and their life cycle lasts more than 2 months, doctors diagnose “chronic chlamydia.” Treatment in women in this case involves additional, often combined antibacterial drugs.

Medical statistics claim that in 67% of chlamydia infections, the disease is completely asymptomatic. In this case, the disease manifests itself only in the stage of chronicity and the development of complications with corresponding symptoms. Most often, pronounced symptoms appear only at an advanced chronic stage of chlamydia development and manifest themselves as follows:

• burning in the urethra and vagina;
• itching of the genitals;
• cloudy discharge with an unpleasant odor;
• pain during urination;
• nagging pain in the lower abdomen;
• discomfort during sexual intercourse;
• spotting in the middle of the menstrual cycle;
• increased body temperature;
• menstrual irregularities.

Causes of chlamydia

The reasons for the large-scale spread of chlamydia are the lack of public awareness of the problem, especially among adolescents. Few people know how chlamydia is treated in women. The drugs needed to fight the disease, meanwhile, cause additional harm to the health of the young body, acting quite aggressively on it and having a number of side effects.

Contribute to infection with the bacterium: early onset of sexual activity, indiscriminate change of partners, sexual intercourse not protected by a condom.

Why is it dangerous for a woman?

This begs the question: what is so terrible about chlamydia, if in most cases the disease does not manifest itself with any pain symptoms? The answer is clear - the disease is dangerous due to the development of serious complications. In the absence of the necessary treatment, chlamydia can affect the reproductive organs and contribute to the occurrence of the following pathological processes:

• cervicitis or inflammation of the cervix;
• pathological processes in the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes;
• adhesions in the pelvic organs;
• endometritis - endometrium of the uterus;
• cystitis and urethritis;
• as a consequence of complications - infertility.

The danger of chlamydia during pregnancy

Chlamydia is extremely dangerous in pregnant women. Treatment is complicated by the patient’s inability to take a number of necessary medications, since most of them can have an extremely negative impact on the development of the fetus. The asymptomatic course of the disease, and, accordingly, its late detection and untimely prescription of treatment can lead to complications or termination of pregnancy: fever, polyhydramnios, non-developing pregnancy, rupture of the membranes, miscarriage or premature birth. The likelihood of developing an ectopic pregnancy increases if conception occurs while there is an infection in the woman’s body. In 30% of cases, the fetus is infected in utero, and in 40% the child is infected during passage through the birth canal.

How dangerous it is for a child

Diagnosis of chlamydia

A gynecologist may suspect the presence of an infection during a general examination using a speculum. He will be able to detect symptoms characteristic of most diseases of the reproductive system: inflammatory processes, areas of erosion, a large amount of discharge, its corresponding consistency, color and smell.

To confirm the diagnosis and identify the causes of pathological processes, the specialist will take a smear from the vagina for bacteriological analysis. A general smear cannot detect the presence of chlamydia, but it will detect other sexually transmitted infections, which often develop in parallel with chlamydia.

A blood test to determine antibodies to chlamydia also cannot reliably confirm the diagnosis. Since the presence or absence of antibodies cannot reliably indicate the presence of living bacteria in the body.

PCR diagnostics are carried out to determine the DNA of chlamydia. The material for analysis is vaginal discharge. A positive test result will reliably confirm the presence of infection. But if negative, additional research is needed.

Bacterial culture is the most reliable way to detect chlamydia. The material for analysis (vaginal discharge) is placed in an environment favorable for chlamydia. Then, after the time necessary for the growth and reproduction of bacteria, the presence or absence of bacteria is determined under a microscope.

Treatment methods for chlamydia

The disease is treated with general and local methods. The main treatment for chlamydia in women is antibiotics. The treatment regimen is developed by the doctor on an individual basis. When choosing an antibacterial agent, the following factors must be taken into account:

In addition to antibacterial agents, immunomodulating drugs, probiotics, and enzymes are prescribed.

Treatment regimen for chlamydia

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, it is necessary to prescribe the correct treatment for chlamydia in women. The scheme is as follows:

1. Macrolides for the treatment of chlamydia are most effective:

• drug "Erythromycin": 0.5 g 4 times a day for 2 weeks;
• "Josamycin" product: 1 g once, then 0.5 g twice a day for 10 days;
• medicine "Spiramycin": three times a day, 3 million IU for 10 days;
• drug "Klacid": 250 mg twice a day for 14 days.

2. Fluoroquinolones are used less frequently, since many types of bacteria are resistant to this type of antibiotics:

• "Ofloxacin": one tablet twice a day for 10 days. If ineffective, the doctor may increase the dosage;
• medicine "Lomefloxacin": 1 tablet once a day, 10 days, used for uncomplicated forms of chlamydia;
• drug "Pefloxacin": 600 mg once for 7 days.

3. Broad-spectrum antibiotic “Clindamycin” is taken 2 tablets 4 times a day for a course of 7 days. This drug effectively treats chlamydia in women. Reviews indicate the majority of cases of complete cure and a minimal number of adverse reactions to the medicine.

Immunomodeling therapy helps the body strengthen its strength to fight infection when treating chlamydia in women. The drugs are prescribed as follows: Cycloferon in a course of 5 injections according to the prescribed regimen in parallel with taking antibiotics. And the drug "Neovir" of 7 injections of 250 ml every 48 hours after a course of antibiotics.

Antibiotics have an extremely negative effect on the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract. To prevent the development of stomach diseases, enzyme preparations and probiotics are prescribed: Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin, Chlorella, Hilak-Forte and others.

Local treatment of chlamydia

In addition to general therapy, the gynecologist also prescribes local treatment for chlamydia in women. Suppositories have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Dimexide solution is also used in the form of tampons, antibacterial gels and creams, and douching. To restore the body's strength, the doctor will prescribe a complex of multivitamins, for example "Supradin". While treating the infection, you must abstain from sexual intercourse or use a condom.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

In the treatment of chlamydia, especially in chronic form, effective additional treatment methods are physiotherapy methods:

• low frequency ultrasound;
• local laser phoresis;
• electrophoresis;
• UFOK.

Treatment of chronic chlamydia

If a doctor diagnoses chronic chlamydia, treatment in women involves the following regimen:

1. Injections of the drugs "Neovir" or "Cycloferon" 7 times every other day.
2. The drug "Rovamycin" is started to be taken at a dose of 3 million IU three times a day after the third injection of cycloferon. The course of treatment is 14 days.
3. The drug "Diflucan" 1 capsule on the 7th and 14th day of treatment with the main antibiotic.
4. Vitamin complexes.
5. Physiotherapy procedures according to indications.

Treatment during pregnancy

1. Antibiotic therapy as prescribed by a doctor: drugs "Erythromecin", "Rovamycin", "Sumamed".
2. Immunomodeling therapy with the help of drugs, suppositories, which include substances such as myelopid, econazole nitrate or interferon.
3. Probiotic preparations in the form of topical suppositories and oral agents.

Confirmation of cure

Since chlamydia rarely manifests itself with pronounced symptoms and their absence cannot be used to judge the effective treatment of the disease, after completing a drug course to combat the infection, it is imperative to carry out control tests in several stages and using different methods:

Prevention of chlamydia

Chlamydia can cause serious complications. Treatment in women is carried out with antibacterial drugs that have an adverse effect on various internal organs. Preventive methods will help you avoid many health problems, namely: a responsible attitude towards your own health, which is manifested in the exclusion of promiscuity and the use of barrier methods of contraception and regular medical examinations. To prevent complications during pregnancy and during pregnancy planning, it is necessary to be tested for chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections.

Chlamydia is insidious due to its asymptomatic nature and rapid spread. Therefore, the lack of treatment or independent attempts to fight the infection can lead to unforeseen consequences and serious impairment of the health of the infected person and his partner. Seeing a doctor will help prevent the development of complications and overcome the disease.

A disease whose duration exceeds one month is considered chronic in medicine. The insidious sexually transmitted infection chlamydia is no exception. According to statistics, more than 110 million people all over the planet fall ill with chronic chlamydia every year.

Chlamydia is the causative agent of this pathology. After the introduction of these microorganisms into the body through the entrance gate, an acute form of the disease first develops, followed by a transition to a chronic form. The most common reason for this pathological phenomenon is the lack of adequate or timely treatment.

Why does the acute form become chronic?

Chlamydia begins with a latent (incubation) period. Its duration corresponds to the time from the beginning of the introduction of the pathogen into the body (that is, infection) until the manifestation of its vital activity in it. The duration of this period varies - from several days to 2 months - and depends on the person’s immune status. The latent period ends with the manifestation of signs characteristic of the acute course of the disease. However, it is possible that its symptoms will be erased or absent altogether, which poses a particular danger to health, since untreated acute chlamydia contributes to a chronic process.

How can you become infected?

Chlamydia enters the human body during sexual intercourse. The entrance gates are:

• mucous membranes of the genital organs of women and men, that is, the vagina, cervix, urethra;
• rectal mucosa - during anal intercourse;
• oral mucosa - during oral sex.

The pathological process is triggered by reduced immunity, as well as chronic or sexually transmitted diseases. If a pregnant woman is infected, then during childbirth, when the baby passes through the birth canal, the infection can be transmitted to him. In this case, the child may develop conjunctivitis, otitis media and even pneumonia. It is difficult to become infected through close household contact. That is, when swimming in a pool, steaming in a sauna, or using shared towels, it is almost impossible to become infected.

Experts have identified another form of the disease - persistent, in which chlamydia, entering the human body, does not multiply, but seems to “sleep” in anticipation of failures in the host’s immune system. According to statistics, approximately 15% of people who are sexually active are just carriers of chlamydia, the symptoms of which they do not have. In such a case, the person is the source of infection and infects sexual partners. Even with the help of modern diagnostic methods, it is not always possible to detect carriage. Symptoms of the disease begin to appear when other sexually transmitted infections are involved, for example, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis.

Clinical manifestation of the disease

The course of the disease in chronic form has its own differences. The patient may not be bothered at all, or the symptoms may be smoothed out and practically not manifest themselves.

In the classic course of the pathology, when immunity is reduced, in women the disease manifests itself as follows:

• Mucopurulent discharge occurs from the genitals. In addition to the pathological volume, an unpleasant odor and color are noted;
• the disease is accompanied by pain symptoms. The pain is nagging in nature and is localized in the lumbar region, groin or lower abdomen;
• Intermenstrual bleeding is possible;
• burning sensation during sexual intercourse, as well as during urination.

In men, advanced chlamydia is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• discharge from the urethra, which occurs mainly in the morning;
• a feeling of discomfort (burning, slight itching) at the time of urination;
• difficulty urinating;
• pain in the groin, testicles;
• discharge of cloudy urine;
• the appearance of blood streaks in semen and urine;
• adhesion of the terminal end of the urethra.

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What are the risks of chlamydia in pregnant women and how to treat it?

In addition to local symptoms, chlamydia is characterized by general changes in the body, which is expressed in lethargy, hyperthermia, fatigue, and decreased appetite. This is how intoxication syndrome manifests itself, indicating the spread of infection beyond the affected system.

In pregnant women, chlamydia manifests itself with similar symptoms. The danger of this condition lies in the infection of the child as it passes through the birth canal. The disease significantly reduces immunity, predisposing to inflammation not only of the urinary organs and vagina. After childbirth, there is a high risk of metritis (inflammation of the uterus).

Complications of the chronic form

Among the main complications are:

• a long-term inflammatory process leads to the formation of adhesions, which limit the spread of pathology beyond the lesion and at the same time lead to structural and functional changes in the organs of the reproductive system. In men, the adhesions block the testes; in women, obstruction of the fallopian tubes develops. Against the background of ongoing processes, infertility may develop;
• A long-term pathological process with an advanced disease progresses and “spreads” not only to neighboring organs (bladder, urethra), but also affects distant systems of the body, for example, vision, lungs. Often one of the pathologies occurs, called Reiter's disease, accompanied by simultaneous damage to the eyes, urinary organs and joints;
• deformation of the urethra in the form of narrowings and kinks. Her only treatment option is surgery;
• narrowing of the sperm ducts leads to impaired sperm formation and infertility in men;
• prostatitis, first acute and then chronic, is accompanied by a change in the quality of the secretion secreted by the prostate gland and the death of male germ cells, and, consequently, infertility;
• the chronic form of the disease is fraught with the spread of infection to the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and heart.

Laboratory diagnostics

Chlamydia can be detected randomly during preventive examinations, as well as during tests to make a diagnosis, since the signs of the disease alone are not always enough for the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis. Additional research methods help to verify this.

Persons who should be tested first:

• if you have a promiscuous sex life with frequent changes of partners;
• if this disease is detected in a sexual partner;
• women suffering from primary or secondary infertility, even if the sexual partner does not have a history of this disease;
• women with a history of spontaneous miscarriages, premature birth, ectopic pregnancy;
• men suffering from infertility;
• women who have the following pathologies: cervical erosion, metritis, vaginitis.

In order to detect microorganisms, a scraping is made, which contains cells of an organ, for example, the urethra, cervix, or mucous membrane of the eye. Scrapings are taken with special disposable instruments. In addition, blood, urine, and semen tests will confirm the disease.

In modern times, chronic chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. In the world, the number of sick people is constantly growing, especially for young people who begin to be sexually active early, often change partners, and neglect contraception. If the acute stage of the disease is not treated in a timely manner, it goes into the chronic stage, which is difficult to diagnose and cure.

Description

Urogenital chlamydia is an STD that develops when the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis enters the body, which affects the mucous membrane of the urethra and appendages of the human genital organs. An incorrect diagnosis and treatment regimen lead to the pathology becoming chronic. In its chronic form, the disease is sluggish and asymptomatic, so it is difficult to detect. The disease can develop in the body for many years, causing the development of various complications. This is what makes many people go to a medical facility. Patients complain of itching in the urethra, swelling and redness of the genitals. Female representatives have no discharge.

Chlamydia first affects the human genitourinary system, in particular the genitourinary canal, so very often the patient develops urethritis, but the disease can develop in different ways. Quite often the eyes, nasopharynx, and lungs are affected.

Epidemiology

This disease is the most common of all STDs. It can occur in both men and women; the latter have a much higher chance of getting the disease. In half of the cases, chlamydia is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse from a sick person to a healthy partner. The number of sick people is constantly increasing due to the lack of symptoms of the disease, the complexity of diagnosis, an increase in extramarital sexual intercourse, population migration, prostitution and other things.

Causes of pathology

Causes of pathology

The cause of the formation of urogenital chlamydia is Chlamydia trachomatis, which penetrates the human body through sexual, contact-household, intranatal and transplacental routes. Chronic chlamydia in women can occur due to non-compliance with hygiene rules in the sauna, swimming pool and other recreational areas. The bacterium spreads throughout the body through the bloodstream, settling in organs and tissues, so the disease has several lesions. It causes the development of adhesions in the affected organs as a result of the inflammatory process, weakening of the immune system. In the external environment, chlamydia easily perishes under the influence of boiling, ultraviolet radiation, and antiseptics. Chronic chlamydia in men most often develops as a result of unprotected sexual intercourse or oral sex, and affects about 10% of men under the age of thirty.

Signs and symptoms of the disease

Signs and symptoms of the disease

Chronic chlamydia is characterized by a long-term infectious process in which bacteria at a certain stage stop their development and do not divide. Most patients with chronic chlamydia do not show symptoms, so they consider themselves healthy and do not undergo appropriate treatment. But when exposed to provoking factors, the disease can show signs; it often leads to the formation of adhesions in the pelvis, resulting in infertility in men and women. In some cases, serous-purulent discharge from the genital tract, urethritis, and frequent painful urination are observed.

The patient may develop arthritis and conjunctivitis. Newborns develop pneumonia, vulvovaginitis, and urethritis.

Chlamydia chronic symptoms in women against the background of reduced immunity have the following

• Copious discharge with an unpleasant odor;
• Discharge mixed with blood;
• Burning and itching when urinating;
• Pain in the lower abdomen.

Chronic chlamydia in men has the following symptoms:

• Acute urethritis;
• Itching when urinating, burning at the entrance to the urethra;
• Pain in the scrotum;
• Discomfort in the testicular area;
• Glassy discharge from the urethra.

After some time, the symptoms completely disappear, but in some cases they are accompanied by an increase in temperature, chronic fatigue, etc.

Complications

Complications of pathology

If treatment is not carried out, female representatives develop diseases such as cystitis, colpitis, cervical erosion, fallopian tube adhesions, and infertility. Their libido decreases, sexual intercourse may be accompanied by painful sensations, and the menstrual cycle is disrupted. The most dangerous thing in this case is the formation of cervical cancer. During a woman's pregnancy, chronic chlamydia leads to premature birth, spontaneous miscarriages, and missed abortion. Moreover, 50% of newborns experience this infection. When the rectum is damaged by bacteria, pain and discharge from the anus appear.

In men, chlamydia causes damage to the testes, prostate gland, epididymis and urethra, often developing vesiculitis or epididymitis. Negative consequences of the disease include chronic prostatitis, which increases the risk of developing impotence, as well as epididymitis orchioepididymitis, which leads to infertility. All this can be accompanied by a decrease in potency, acceleration of erection, and so on. Also, in a sick person, chlamydia can cause inflammation in the kidneys, Reiter's syndrome, ophthalmochlamydia, pharyngitis or proctitis.

After complete recovery, many people experience vegetative and neurasthenic reactions, accompanied by sexual discomfort, fatigue, and so on.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the disease

Since chronic chlamydia has mild symptoms, it is not possible to recognize the disease. The diagnosis is made based on the results of laboratory tests for the presence of the pathogen and its antigens. For analysis, scrapings are taken from the cervical canal, urethra or conjunctiva. In 30% of cases, the Romanovsky-Giemsa test helps identify the bacterium. PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and culture are also often performed. Chlamydial antibodies in blood serum are often examined, liver tests and an immunogram are performed. Doctors carry out differential diagnosis with trichomoniasis, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea and other STDs.

In addition, the doctor examines the cervix of women and performs colposcopy, which makes it possible to determine the presence of purulent discharge, hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membrane near the external pharynx. Suspicions of the presence of pathology are caused by adhesions between the peritoneum and the liver, which can be detected during laparotomy or laparoscopy.

Risk group

Doctors must conduct testing for the presence of chlamydia in the following patients who have:

• Chronic pathologies of the urinary and reproductive systems;
• Menstrual irregularities;
• Intrauterine device;
• History of abortion;
• SARS;
• Fever of unknown origin;
• Newborn children with infection in the mother.

Treatment

Treatment of the disease

For each patient, individual treatment for chronic chlamydia is selected, which depends on the diagnostic results and the severity of symptoms. To treat this pathology, doctors use:

1. Antibacterial agents. Such drugs are the main ones in eliminating the disease. During treatment, two types of antibiotics are used, the dosage of which depends on the duration of the disease. The attending physician should conduct an antibiogram to determine the sensitivity of the drug to the bacterium.
2. Probiotics, which serve to protect the intestines from the development of dysbiosis and diarrhea.
3. Immunostimulants that must be used on the first day of treatment. According to the results of some studies, it was found that patients with impaired immune systems recovered completely after immune correction in 65% of cases. But it is recommended to prescribe immunostimulants after an immunological examination, since in most patients lymphocytes do not respond to this group of medications.
4. Hepatoprotectors that increase the liver’s resistance to the effects of antibacterial agents. Most of them have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
5. Enzymes (enzymes) that have a beneficial effect on human immunity, increasing the concentration of the drug in the affected area, stimulating kidney activity, and neutralizing toxins.
6. Vitamins and antioxidants help strengthen the immune response in response to infection.

Chronic chlamydia requires complex treatment, which makes it possible to completely cure the disease. In medicine, it has been established that chlamydia is an infection that cannot be eliminated by the human immune system, so it must be treated with various drugs. Answering the question about how long chronic chlamydia is treated, it must be said that antibiotics should be taken from ten to twenty-one days, but this is in the case when the disease has not caused serious complications.

Treatment of women

Treatment of women

When prescribing medications, the doctor must take into account the individual characteristics of the woman’s body; in addition, some antibiotics should not be used during pregnancy.

The treatment regimen for chronic chlamydia in women should include drugs such as Rovamycytin, Vilprafen, Azithromycin, Doxycycline and others. In addition, the physician must take into account the presence of concomitant diseases. In this case, he prescribes immunomodulators, multivitamins, and sulfonamides. Special suppositories help restore the vaginal microflora. A woman should remember that her sexual partner is most likely also infected and requires immediate treatment.

Treatment for men

Treatment for men

Chronic chlamydia in men also requires complex treatment. First of all, the doctor prescribes tetracycline antibacterial drugs: macrolides or fluoroquinolones. It is possible to use several drugs, which helps cure the disease.

This treatment regimen for chronic chlamydia is designed for fourteen days; if the pathology is advanced, it may take one month. In addition to antibiotics, the patient should take adaptogens, multivitamins and immunostimulants, as well as probiotics, for example, Linex. In some cases, the doctor prescribes enzymes, often prescribes enemas, prostate massage, suppositories, and physical therapy, for example, iontophoresis, ultrasound, and others.