Chlamydia in Indianapolis

Chlamydia is a growing problem for Indiana and especially chlamydia in Indianapolis, where approximately half of the statewide statistics of new STD cases are documented.  Chlamydia is the fastest spreading of the documented cases of sexually transmitted diseases.  Following is gonorrhea and syphilis and then HIV.  There is concern chlamydia has grown resistant to the standard antibiotic treatment protocol.  With the growing resistance comes the concern that many with Chlamydia will not return for follow-up testing and consider themselves healed.  This group will unknowingly continue to spread the STD to sexual partners and have the STD affect their sexual health as well. 

Chlamydia and the “heart attack germ”

Chlamydia research has shown a connection between a pathogen called Chlamydia and coronary heart disease.  The pathogen is a sub-type of Chlamydia that several studies concluded has links to heart disease.  The “heart attack germ” as it has been dubbed, when found, the patients are twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease.  The research Image of Bacteriaemphasizes the need for STD testing and early detection to cure the infection and to not have any strains left to attack the heart and other organs of the body.  Serious complications develop when left undetected and many are irreversible, especially for women that can develop infertility issues from this STD.

Silent cause of Infertility

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium that can damage a woman’s reproductive system when undetected and left untreated.  In women, Chlamydia attacks the cervix and the urinary canal, and is known as a “silent” disease.  Approximately three quarters of the women that have acquired Chlamydia do not have symptoms of the infection.  Abnormal discharge, burning during urination and painful intercourse symptoms may not occur for up to three weeks after exposure.  Left untreated, the STD can lead to PID or pelvic inflammatory disease.  PID can lead to infertility.  Women with untreated Chlamydia are five times more likely to contract HIV/AIDS.

Men & Chlamydia

Complications among men are rare.  Chlamydia has been found in throat infections when the symptoms of sore throats appear after men and women have performed oral sex on an infected sex partner.  Men with signs of an infection will have a discharge from the penis, burning during urination or itching around the head of the penis.  As with oral sex, performing anal sex on each other can lead to the infection attacking the rectum and rectal area.  Chlamydia in men may also be silent, but infertility issues are rare for men as are other complications seen in women.

Diagnosing Chlamydia

STD testing centers in Indianapolis and other health care agencies has the tests to determine Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases. In most cases a simple urine test can detect Chlamydia and treatment can begin.  In some cases, a swab specimen from the cervix or penis will be used to better diagnose the strain of Chlamydia in order for the proper treatment protocol to be used.  Early detection along with adhering to treatment protocol is essential to the cure of Chlamydia and to reduce the possible risk of re-infection from all strains not being treated to completion.  All sex partners should be evaluated and treated to help stop a cycle of re-infection and future complication.

Local health agencies and STD testing centers are aware of the increasing problem of chlamydia in Indianapolis and are working together to reach out to high risk areas to encourage STD testing. Treating STDs early, especially in women can prevent complications later.  Any symptom that involves the genital area where discharge or soreness is felt should seek medical attention and STD testing.  The steps of testing and treatment are part of the reduction of Chlamydia and STDs along with the maintenance of sexual health for the women and men in Indianapolis.

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