According to statistics, up to 100 million people are infected with chlamydia every year. The main risk group includes people from the age group from 18 to 45 years old.

Features of the pathogen

A disease such as chlamydia became known back in 1907. For the first time, scientists Galberstedter and Provachek identified and described the pathogen. Since then, experts have well studied what chlamydia is and where they come from.

The pathogen has the characteristics of viruses and bacteria. Therefore, it is generally accepted that it occupies an intermediate position between them. The size of chlamydia does not exceed 300 nm. It can only be viewed with a powerful microscope. After entering the human body, chlamydiae increase in size up to 100 nm, in this they are similar to viruses. They are united with bacteria by the presence of RNA and DNA, as well as methods of reproduction.

The process of reproduction of chlamydia starts only when they penetrate into the cells of the body. They gradually suck out all cellular resources, filling the space with the products of their vital activity. As a result, the cell is simply destroyed.

Varieties of chlamydia

Modern science knows many types of chlamydia. Among the most dangerous for humans are:

All types of chlamydia are sensitive to disinfectants and antiseptics. It is also possible to fight microorganisms in the external environment with the help of heating. They die at temperatures above 60 degrees.

Life cycle

The life cycle of chlamydia consists of the following stages:

• An elementary body enters the human body. It has a spherical shape and is covered with a three-layer shell. The elementary body is attached to the cell.
• The elementary body penetrates into the cell and begins to settle there.
• The elementary body increases in size and turns into a reticular body. The resulting intracellular form has a reticular structure. The transformation process takes no more than six hours.
• The reticular body begins to actively divide. Several new elementary bodies are obtained from it.
• The newly formed elementary bodies leave the cell. Each of them attaches to healthy epithelium and the cycle repeats.

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The infected cell dies after chlamydia leaves it.

The main routes of infection

The localization of the infection and the development of subsequent complications will be determined by how exactly chlamydia got into the human body. There are several main routes of infection:

• Sexual. It is considered the most common. The risk of contracting chlamydia with unprotected intercourse is about 65%. Most often women are affected. Chlamydiae immediately penetrate into the genitourinary system. Due to the structural features of the female body, the affected area is much larger than that of men. In this case, a urogenital infection develops. Its main danger is that it may not manifest itself for a long time. A man or women become carriers of infection without knowing it.
• Oral. This happens during oral sex with an infected partner. This path is most relevant for women. During a blowjob, chlamydia from the infected male genital organ is transferred into the woman's oral cavity. This can only be prevented by using a condom.
• Anal. The infection is spread during anal sex. In this case, the pathogenic microflora settles on the intestinal mucosa. This route of infection is relevant for women and gay people.
• Upon contact with body fluids of a sick person. One of the places where chlamydia comes from is saliva. Transmission of infection during a deep kiss is rare, but this possibility should not be completely ruled out. For infection to occur, the disease must be in an advanced stage. A large number of microorganisms will be required.
• By air. Chlamydia can also appear when talking to an infected person. Such cases are rare. To become infected, the patient must release a huge number of microorganisms into the air.
• Domestic. One of the ways chlamydia comes from is contact with contaminated household items. Microorganisms can live on washcloths, toothbrushes, bedding and other personal hygiene items. In this way, the infection often spreads within the same family. Infected children bring the infection to kindergarten, where it spreads through toys and other common things.
• Vertical. This path is relevant for children. Infection is noted at the stage of intrauterine development if the mother suffers from such a disease. The infection can also be transmitted after birth during breastfeeding. Therefore, pregnant women need to be especially careful to monitor their health. When conception is planned, it is necessary to undergo a full course of diagnostics before it.

Chlamydiae can appear in the human body for various reasons. Therefore, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to observing the rules of prevention, for example, using a condom during intercourse.

Many people believe that pathogenic microflora appears in the body after visiting a pool or beach. In fact, the concentration of chlamydia in water is too low for this. The immune system immediately kills the individuals that enter the body.

Manifestations of the disease in men and women

Chlamydia in men can be asymptomatic. During this time, microorganisms spread throughout the genitourinary system, which leads to prostatitis, urethritis, impotence and other problems. It is possible to identify the disease only during a thorough medical examination.

With the development of urogenital chlamydia, the following symptoms appear:

• Itching in the area of ​​the opening of the urethra.
• Painful sensations in the affected area.
• Discharge of a small volume of fluid from the urethra. An admixture of pus is found in it, which is why the discharge has an unpleasant color and smell.
• In some cases, there is a slight increase in body temperature.
• Unpleasant sensations appear when urinating, urine becomes cloudy.

Chlamydia is a dangerous and widespread disease of an infectious nature. It can affect people of all ages and genders, but most often it affects young people. And this is not surprising, because in most cases the disease is sexually transmitted.

Why is the disease dangerous for women

Many women do not even suspect that they are sick, because the disease is often asymptomatic. There are no exact statistics on the incidence of chlamydia. However, this disease is much more common compared to other sexually transmitted diseases.

According to various estimates, the number of women diagnosed with this disease ranges from 8% to 40%, and their total number on Earth is about 1 billion. Therefore, the chance of contracting chlamydia is very high. And, therefore, it is necessary to know well what it is - chlamydia, its main symptoms, how chlamydia manifests itself in women, and how to treat chlamydia in women.

Description of the disease

Bacteria, however, can inhabit the extracellular space. When chlamydiae enter a living cell, they acquire the ability to divide, increase in size and turn into the so-called reticular form. In this type, chlamydia multiply. After the formation of new bacterial cells, they leave the host cell, and it dies. This whole process takes 2-3 days. And bacteria, in turn, go in search of new victim cells. As the disease develops, it takes on a chronic form, and bacteria capture not only the lower, but also the upper parts of the genitourinary system.

Chlamydia is quite resistant to adverse effects and can exist in room conditions for up to two days. The incubation period for chlamydia is 2 to 4 weeks.

The main method of infection is considered to be sexual. In this case, infection with chlamydia can occur both during vaginal and anal sex, as well as through oral contact. In addition, some scientists are inclined to believe that bacteria can be transmitted through the household through the use of common objects, but this does not happen often. Another way of transmitting bacilli is from mother to newborn baby. It is not yet clear whether chlamydia can enter the child's body directly through the placenta. However, it has been proven that a mother with chlamydia can become infected with the fetus. A common route of infection is the birth process, in which the child passes through the mother's birth canal infected with chlamydia. Usually, the child develops chlamydial conjunctivitis (in 50% of cases). Pneumonia may occur somewhat less frequently, but it carries an even greater danger.

Contrary to popular belief, chlamydia caused by Chlamydia trachomatis is not airborne. Although there is such a disease as chlamydial pneumonia or respiratory chlamydia caused by another type of chlamydia and which can be transmitted in a similar way.

It is also quite difficult to get infected with the help of kissing, since for this there must be a very high concentration of bacteria in the oral cavity of partners, which is found only in advanced forms of systemic chlamydia.

Chlamydia symptoms in women

When microorganisms enter the body, at first the symptoms may be subtle or not noticeable at all. This feature is more typical for women than for men. In women, chlamydia occurs in a similar way in 70% of cases.

Signs of chlamydia may include fever. This usually occurs shortly after infection. The temperature rises to subfebrile values ​​- + 37-37.5 ° C, fatigue and weakness may appear. However, the temperature may subsequently drop to normal values.

In chlamydia, symptoms are usually associated with the condition of the genitourinary organs. The cervix, fallopian tubes, appendages, endometrium, Bartholin glands, urethra, vagina and bladder - this is an incomplete list of objects that chlamydia affects. This leads to inflammation of the genitourinary organs, more precisely, their mucous membranes. Chlamydia can also lead to the formation of adhesions in the abdominal cavity, which is fraught with infertility.

Signs of chlamydia may include slight pulling pains in the lower abdomen, itching, burning, cramps when urinating, a feeling of high humidity in the genital area, frequent urination, menstrual irregularities, and back pain. However, many women are not inclined to pay attention to these symptoms or associate them with some other cause.

But one of the main symptoms of chlamydia is the appearance of unusual discharge from the genitals. Chlamydia discharge has an abnormal appearance. Usually they have a whitish or yellow color, a mucopurulent consistency and an unpleasant odor.

Consequences of chlamydia

However, chlamydia is much more dangerous than it seems at first glance. Chlamydia can have a number of unpleasant complications. As it develops, chlamydia can also affect other tissues of the body - teeth, joints, eyes and even the heart. For females infected with chlamydia, Reiter's syndrome is characteristic, in which arthritis, conjunctivitis and inflammation of the vagina are observed.

There is a risk of severe lesions of the urinary system - urethritis, purulent cystitis, narrowing of the urethra. Against the background of chlamydia, Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome can also occur, which is characterized by simultaneous inflammation of the peritoneum (peritonitis) and the liver capsule.

But chlamydia is most dangerous for pregnant women. Infection can cause complications of pregnancy, including ectopic pregnancy, polyhydramnios, early termination of pregnancy or missed pregnancy. Chlamydia can also provoke such phenomena as premature birth and prematurity of the fetus.

If the child is still born at the right time, then due to infection with bacteria (in the womb or during childbirth), he may develop inflammatory diseases such as conjunctivitis and otitis media. In the future, the presence of bacteria in the child's body can lead to problems with the cardiovascular and nervous systems, the gastrointestinal tract. For girls, infection during infancy threatens further infertility.

A serious complication of chlamydia is cervicitis - inflammation of the cervix, cervical damage and endometriosis - damage to the lining of the uterus. They can lead to further infertility.

For these reasons, treatment cannot be postponed, as the disease is easier to treat at an early stage.

Chlamydia diagnosis

If there are signs of chlamydia, even if there is only a suspicion of the disease, you should consult a doctor. To identify an infection, a number of diagnostic measures are required. First of all, this is a visual examination by a gynecologist. It will help to determine the lesions of the mucous membranes of the genital organs, the pathology of the cervix, characteristic of infectious diseases.

Also informative is the analysis of the patient's history, the presence of gynecological problems in the past. There are several diseases in which there is significant reason to suspect chlamydia:

• infertility (for a year or more),
• cervicitis,
• complicated pregnancy (polyhydramnios, fetal growth retardation, threat of miscarriage).

If such problems are detected, even if a smear on bacteria from the vagina does not show the presence of pathogenic microflora, the patient needs to undergo a thorough examination. Practice shows that the probability of identifying the pathogen is quite high - about 80%.

In patients, it is not always easy to determine the fact that the pathogen is Chlamydia Trachomatis, and not some other microorganism. In particular, the discharge in chlamydia is similar to those observed in other diseases - herpes, gonorrhea, etc. However, there are methods that make the identification of the pathogen possible.
The most accurate test is for the detection of chlamydia using particles of bacterial DNA molecules - a test using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the presence of the pathogen in the patient, it gives almost one hundred percent result. Other types of research can also be carried out, for example, fluorescence detection of pathogens (immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The probability of detecting bacteria with this method is 50%.

Sowing for bacteria in a nutrient medium is also carried out (the probability of detecting the pathogen is 70%) and the search for antibodies in the blood is a serological study. A vaginal smear can also reveal a chlamydial infection. However, with this method, the probability of detecting bacteria is low and amounts to 15%.

In addition, ultrasound can be used, in which changes in the tissues of the reproductive organs characteristic of chlamydia are revealed. The sooner the disease is diagnosed, the better the chances of a successful cure of the disease.

Chlamydia treatment in women

Chlamydia treatment is a complex process. The main method is therapy with antibacterial agents. Fortunately, the pathogen has a fairly high sensitivity to many antibiotics. But not all of them. In addition, when treating with antibiotics, it is required not only to choose the correct type of drug, but also to determine its correct dosage, take into account the patient's immunity, her concomitant diseases, including the possible presence of other sexually transmitted infections. Comprehensive analysis of these factors is not an easy task. Therefore, self-treatment of chlamydial infection with antibiotics is unacceptable. It can lead to a worsening of the patient's condition and to the fact that the disease turns into a chronic, intractable form.

In therapy, drugs from the macrolide group (azithromycin, josamycin, clarithromycin, spiramycin), penicillins (ampicillin) and tetracyclines (tetracycline, doxycycline) are usually used. Fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, lomefloxacin, sparfloxacin) are used as reserve drugs used when standard drugs are ineffective. Usually, if bacteria are resistant to one drug, then drugs from another group of antibiotics are used.

In particular, it shows high efficiency. As a rule, a single use of this drug in the amount of 2 tablets is enough to destroy all chlamydia in women in the body. Or the following scheme can be used - taking 500 mg of the drug on the first day, and 250 mg each for the next four days. However, this drug is contraindicated in pregnancy.

Doxycycline is usually taken at a dosage of 0.1 g 2 times a day for a week. This medication is also contraindicated in pregnancy. The course of treatment with Ampicillin in the standard case is as follows - 250 mg 4 times a day for 10 days.

The selection of drugs during pregnancy requires special care, since many of them are not recommended during this period due to their high toxicity. Usually, therapy is best done in the second trimester, after the placenta has formed. The most commonly used drugs during pregnancy are erythromycin and josamycin. The duration of the course of treatment during pregnancy is usually shorter.

However, antibiotics are not the only drugs needed. Depending on the patient's condition, the doctor may also prescribe drugs to stimulate the immune system and vitamin complexes. Also, the disease is often complicated by a secondary fungal infection of the genital organs, such as candidiasis. Therefore, antifungal drugs (Fluconazole, Nystatin) can be prescribed for its treatment.

It is important to note that in the event that a permanent sexual partner is also infected, then it is necessary to carry out his treatment at the same time. Otherwise, all efforts to get rid of bacteria will be useless, since the next sexual intercourse will lead to re-infection. It must be borne in mind that the body does not develop specific immunity in relation to bacteria, and having recovered from the disease once, the second time you can pick it up with the same ease. The presence of diseases such as urethritis or prostatitis in a man indicates that he is most likely a carrier of chlamydia.

It is also worth noting that for the period of treatment, it is necessary to refrain from sex with a sexual partner, no matter whether it is a healthy partner or a sick one. This situation should continue until it becomes obvious that both partners no longer have pathogens in their bodies.

To check the effectiveness of therapy after its completion, control studies are carried out for the presence of pathogens. Typically, studies are carried out after two weeks, a month and two months.

Antibiotic therapy should also be accompanied by a course of treatment for dysbiosis concomitant with the use of antibiotics. For this purpose, probiotic drugs may be prescribed.

In addition to taking general antibiotics, local antiseptic preparations, for example, chlorhexidine solution, can also be used. With damage to the genitourinary organs, these drugs can affect the causative agent of the disease. These medications can be found in vaginal suppositories and ointments. You can also use baths, tampons, microclysters.

There are also preparations containing bacteriophages that are active against the pathogen - Coliphage, Intestibacteriophage. In some cases, as an auxiliary measure of therapy, various physiotherapy procedures can be prescribed - ultrasound and laser irradiation, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis. Diet is also an important element of treatment. During the course of therapy, it is recommended to abandon overly spicy and sweet foods, alcohol.

Prophylaxis

There are no vaccinations to protect against the trachomatis bacteria, therefore, in order to avoid illness, certain rules must be followed to minimize the risk of contracting pathogens.

Disease prevention largely coincides with the prevention of other sexually transmitted diseases. First of all, this is the use of barrier contraception. However, this method is not a panacea, as it does not exclude infection. Interestingly, hormonal oral contraceptives also reduce the likelihood of infection by making the lining of the uterus more resistant to bacteria.

It is equally important to avoid promiscuous sexual intercourse, frequent partner changes, unconventional, anal and oral sex. You should also monitor your personal hygiene, wash your hands, especially after using the toilet, public places. There is a very high likelihood of transmission of the pathogen through things such as shared towels, items of clothing, especially underwear, etc. These points should be taken into account in order to prevent infection of other family members. Therefore, it is necessary to have personal hygiene products - towels, washcloths, sponges, etc.

Since the disease tends to be asymptomatic, then in the presence of regular sex life and different partners, it is necessary to undergo an annual examination.

Chlamydia is an infectious disease of the reproductive system. In this case, the pathogen often affects other organs: mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, heart and blood vessels, and the skeletal system. Let's take a closer look at how chlamydia occurs in women, symptoms of the disease, manifestations and methods of treatment.

Chlamydia in women - causes of

Chlamydia in women is often associated with a disease of the reproductive system. The genitals themselves are more often affected. This is due to anatomical features. Among the main reasons for the development of the disease, doctors call the absence of a permanent sexual partner, promiscuous sexual relations. In addition, the development of pathology is facilitated by:

• violation of the rules of intimate hygiene;
• weakening of local immunity;
• the presence of chronic diseases of the urogenital tract.

How is chlamydia spread in women?

After the diagnosis is established, patients often ask doctors about the route of entry of the pathogen. Because of this, the question arises regarding where chlamydia in women comes from. The main route of transmission of infection is sexual. From an infected partner, chlamydia passes to a healthy person during sexual intercourse. At the same time, the localization of the pathological process later depends on the method of intimate communication: genital, oral. Other transmission routes include:

1. Vertical path is the second most common. They talk about him when the pathogen transition occurs about an infected mother to a child. This is possible during childbirth, the passage of the baby through the birth canal. As a result, chlamydial conjunctivitis develops in newborns, the mucous membranes of the lungs are affected. Doctors do not exclude the possibility of infection of the child while in the mother's womb. But in practice, this was not observed.
2. Contact-household way not officially exposed. However, due to the high contagiousness of the agent, doctors do not exclude the possibility of transmission of the pathogen through general hygiene products, household items: a toilet lid, a dirty towel. It was found that chlamydiae have a high viability - they can remain active for up to 2 days on underwear.
3. Airborne- is characteristic of such a form of pathology as chlamydial pneumonia.

Chlamydia - incubation period

Chlamydia in women infected with the pathogen may not be detected immediately. This is explained by the peculiarities of the development of the microorganism. There is an incubation period - the time from the entry of the pathogen into the body, until the appearance of a clinical picture. On average, it lasts 14-30 days. So with the sexual transmission of the pathogen, the first signs of the disease are noted after 2 weeks. In the process of development of the disease of chlamydia, the following stages are overcome:

• direct penetration of the pathogen into the mucous membrane;
• intracellular reproduction;
• inflammation of the mucous membrane of the affected organ, the onset of symptoms.

Chlamydia - symptoms

If chlamydia is found in women, symptoms of the disease may not be present. The patient does not notice the changes, nothing bothers her. Doctors themselves point to the absence of specific manifestations of the disease. Often, pathology is diagnosed during the next routine examination, smear analysis for bioflora.

Talking about how chlamydia manifests itself in women, doctors distinguish the following symptoms:

• an increase in the volume of vaginal discharge - they acquire a purulent character, an unpleasant odor;
• painful urination - occurs when the urinary tract is affected by chlamydia;
• intermenstrual from the vagina;
• burning and itching - the result of the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms;
• erosive lesions of the mucous membrane of the cervix;

• painful sensations in the lower abdomen, not associated with menstruation.

Chlamydia in women, the symptoms of which can be hidden, causes the body temperature to rise to 37-37.5 degrees. This phenomenon is accompanied by a deterioration in general well-being. According to statistics, in 30% of patients with identified chlamydia, the disease is absolutely asymptomatic and is diagnosed during a comprehensive examination. This complicates the further process of treating the disease, in the absence of which chronic chlamydia develops.

Chlamydia - symptoms in women, first signs

The first signs of chlamydia in women occurs a month after infection. The woman notes a sharp increase in vaginal discharge, which has an unusual shade. They are often greenish and contain impurities of pus. When the vagina becomes infected, a change in the composition of the bioflora occurs, bacterial vaginosis develops. Chlamydia develops in women, the symptoms of which are unknown to many. As a direct result of this, the discharge can acquire an unpleasant odor.

Often, chlamydia in young women, the symptoms of which appear some time after infection, begins with increased urination. Going to the toilet becomes painful. A woman often takes this symptom for a sign of cystitis. When contacting a doctor, passing a smear for microflora, chlamydia is found in it. The following signs of chlamydia occur:

• pain in the lower back;
• itching burning discomfort along the vagina;
• increased body temperature.

Discharge with chlamydia in women

Telling women about how chlamydia manifests itself, gynecologists put pathological discharge to the fore. The girls themselves note a change in their structure, consistency, color and volume. The presence of a pathogen in them in a large volume changes their character - they become mucopurulent. Chlamydiae change the pH of the vagina, thereby creating favorable conditions for the growth and reproduction of conditionally pathogenic flora.

Analysis for chlamydia in women

Before being tested for chlamydia, doctors collect a complete history of women. This helps to pinpoint the time of infection and the source. The most informative method for diagnosing this disease is PCR. It assumes the detection of the genetic material of the pathogen in the sample. This helps to accurately identify the microorganism, its quantity. Before treating chlamydia in women, they are prescribed:

• on the degree of purity;
• immunogram.

Chlamydia - treatment

Treatment of chlamydia in women involves the use of antibacterial drugs. Directly these drugs form the basis of therapy. The course of drug treatment lasts 10-14 days. The duration of therapy depends on the time of onset and stage of the disease. In parallel with antibiotic therapy, the following is carried out:

• correction of immunity - immunomodulators are prescribed;
• local anti-inflammatory procedures - douching, baths.

Treatment of chlamydia in women - drugs, scheme

The treatment regimen for chlamydia is selected individually. The patient must strictly follow the prescribed course: observe the dosage, the frequency of taking the medication, the duration of treatment. Antibiotics for chlamydia are prescribed taking into account the presence of other genital infections, chronic inflammatory processes. Common antibiotic regimens include:

• - 500 mg once (2 tablets) or Doxycycline - 0.1 g 2 times a day, 7 days in a row;
• Erythromycin - 500 mg every 6 hours for 7 days;
• Ofloxacin - 300 mg, 2 times a day, 7 days in a row.

Suppositories from chlamydia in women

Speaking about what and how to treat chlamydia, gynecologists note the high effectiveness of vaginal suppositories. This form of the drug is actively used for gynecological pathologies. Providing a local effect, the drugs quickly eliminate the symptoms of the disorder, making it easier to feel. Among the effective suppositories for chlamydia is Geksikon.

The drug is taken in a course of 10 days, in the morning and in the evening the woman sets 1 suppository in the vagina. You can use the tool as a prophylactic. Among the useful properties:

• quick elimination of symptoms;
• decrease in the volume of discharge;
• exclusion of itching, discomfort and burning sensation in the vagina.

Among the effective preparations in the form of suppositories, it can be noted:

• Genferon;

The causative agent of common genitourinary chlamydia is Chlamydia trachomatis - coccoid, gram-negative intracellular microorganisms. Pathogenicity is completely lost when heated for 10 minutes at 60 ° C. At the same time, these microorganisms are able to remain viable for several years at temperatures from -50 to -70 ° C.

Where does chlamydia come from?

Infection usually occurs through sexual and household contact, as well as from mother to child - a high frequency of infection in newborn babies has been established when they pass through an infected birth canal. In this disease, the body affects the nasopharynx, lungs, genitourinary system, eyes. If sexual intercourse was not protected by a condom, then it is possible to get infected from a sick person with a probability of about 50%.

Urogenital chlamydia is often asymptomatic and has manifestations of inflammatory diseases:

• vulvovaginitis;
• cervicitis;
• erosion;
• endometritis and is detected only by special diagnostic methods, including PCR (polymerase chain reaction).

In some cases, symptoms such as weakness and a slight increase in temperature are also observed.

To date, doctors do not have reliable data on acquired immunity to urogenital infection or on the emergence of effective immunity after cure, i.e. chlamydia can be infected over and over again.

The causes of chlamydia in women

The main reasons include not using a condom during casual sexual intercourse, as well as non-compliance with hygiene standards in fitness clubs, saunas, swimming pools and in any recreation areas where there are all conditions for the spread of infection.

The defeat begins with the vagina, cervix, then the transition to the uterus itself is possible, then the infection can spread through the fallopian tubes to the ovaries and peritoneum. There are cases of infection of the rectum through the cervix.

In pregnant women, chlamydia can cause miscarriage, premature birth, premature babies and missed pregnancies.

Chlamydia treatment should take place under the supervision of a doctor, it lasts from three weeks or more. It is necessary that all available sexual partners of a woman be treated simultaneously, even if they do not have clinical manifestations of the disease. Treatment at MMC ON CLINIC is carried out in a comprehensive manner, and in addition to the obligatory course of antibacterial therapy, it includes antifungal drugs, immunomodulators, multivitamins, and in the presence of abundant discharge from the urethra, local antimicrobial drugs are also used.

Elementary particles capable of invading a cell, taking its substance and making themselves "clothes", hence the name of chlamydia itself, were found back in 1907 and named after the author by the little bodies of Provachek. Now this name is used only by narrow specialists, examining chlamydia under a microscope, and doctors of other specialties often call it chlamydia or trachoma.

Chlamydia (trachoma) has several more subspecies, and each of them chooses its own territory. One has taken a liking to human eyes and is a "headache" for ophthalmologists, the other - specifically belongs to venereology, for the third, the "hero" of this article, the genitals turned out to be too tempting.

“Our” trachoma is adapted to the epithelial cells of the mucous membranes of the urogenital tract, and, being transmitted not only through sexual contact, but also through close household contact, occupies its ecological niche in the body of the new host. Having seized a new territory, chlamydia can immediately begin to master or take a wait-and-see attitude for a while. Her behavior will depend on many factors, either contributing to her vigorous activity, or “falling asleep” for an indefinite period until favorable conditions for her “wake her up”.

According to statistical data, the prevalence of this disease among men and women is unequal and correlates approximately as 1: 5, which is explained by the ideal living conditions of chlamydia in the woman's genitals and hormonal fluctuations that cause many pathological conditions of the female genital area.

The most important route of transmission with hlamydia trachomatis from one person to another is, of course, sexual, especially the one that we call unprotected sex. However, given the high resistance of chlamydia to the environment, there is a possibility of contracting it through everyday use when using hygiene items (towel, linen, washcloth) belonging to a sick person, as well as "picking up" it in the pool, bath and bath.

It has been reliably proven that the presence of chlamydiya trachomatis is not enough for the development of the disease itself. Once in the genitals of a woman with a normal immune response, chlamydia, as a rule, goes to "sleep" in the epithelial cell for the time being, waiting for favorable conditions for itself. A prerequisite for the reproduction and increase in the pathogenicity of the infection can be a violation of the woman's immune system. And then events occur, about which they say: "Where it is thin - there it breaks."

How is chlamydia manifested in women?

The entire world community considers chlamydia to be the worst enemy and a serious problem, due to the frequency of spread (twice as much as gonorrhea), complications, and difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. So how does it manifest in women?

And since chlamydia is so formidable, what are the first signs that indicate the presence of a pathogenic microorganism in the genital tract?

It is not at all necessary that the agent somehow manifests itself, it may not reveal itself in any way, be asymptomatic and live for many years, only sometimes giving an exacerbation, which many happily forget about when the process subsides. This is a persistent or, as it is also called, latent form. However, having this type of chlamydia, a woman remains a source of infection and is at risk for the disease if she is planning a pregnancy.

Symptoms of chlamydia can be mucous, yellowish discharge, with a pungent, rather unpleasant odor and burning, accompanied by itching. In rare cases, pains appear in the lower abdomen, and the body temperature rises somewhat (subfebrile condition). Sometimes the reason to suspect a chlamydial infection is clinical data indicating the presence of ectopia, which may accompany the chronic course of the disease.

Analysis for chlamydia in women

Considering that the state of health of a newborn child directly depends on the well-being of his mother in terms of genital infections, the diagnosis of chlamydia in women planning pregnancy is an important task of antenatal clinics and medical centers.

As noted by gynecologists, this microorganism likes to be in the "company" with gonorrhea, Trichomonas, ureaplasma, so many diagnostic laboratories offer an expanded scope of services.

In addition, for a woman interested in the question of how and where it is possible to be tested for chlamydia, it is advisable not to forget and take her sexual partner with you for examination, since two still need to be treated.

For diagnostics, methods are currently used:

How to treat chlamydia in women?

It should be noted that in the acute phase the disease responds well to treatment, since chlamydia trachomatis has not yet had time to adapt and develop defense mechanisms.

Taking into account that the presence of trachoma in the epithelial cells of the genital organs has a very negative effect on the course of pregnancy and the development of the fetus, the presence of chlamydia in women of reproductive age is of increasing concern to the health authorities, where the treatment regimen is provided for each woman, taking into account the state of immunity, characteristics organism and related diseases.

Antibacterial drugs for the treatment of the disease should penetrate well through the cell membrane and be "alien" to chlamydia and not yet familiar to it. Usually, these are drugs of the latest generations. They are prescribed depending on the form of the pathological process, the severity and duration of its course.

The consequences of chlamydia in women are especially dangerous, due to the important purpose of the female body - to bear and give birth to a healthy child. Untreated acute chlamydia, which has turned into a chronic form, is fraught with complications, and a normal pregnancy even casts doubt on it.

Chlamydia trachomatis not only causes colpitis, urethritis and cervicitis, it is able to ascend and settle in the epithelial cells of the endometrium - the inner layer of the uterus, which will inevitably lead to inflammation, which is called endometritis. Chlamydial infection, which affects the organs of the female genital area, is the culprit of miscarriages, ectopic pregnancy and infertility in general.

In addition, an infection that has strengthened in the body can migrate and affect other organs: the ovaries, liver, joints, eyes. Chlamydia, which caused Reiter's disease, was found in the synovial fluid of the knee joint, indicating its unique ability to invade and dominate the entire host.

The slightest suspicion of a urogenital infection should already be the basis for a comprehensive examination in order to identify the pathogen. The main thing is a timely signal from the woman, and the rest will be taken over by medicine.

Video: "What is chlamydia? The main symptoms, signs and treatment methods for chlamydia in women"