Chlamydial infection is an urgent problem of our time due to the wide spread of asymptomatic forms of the disease and the development of serious complications, including childlessness.
According to the EBM Guidelines "Chlamydial urethritis and cervicitis", in Finland, 25% of chlamydial infections occur in patients under 20 years of age.
At the same time, the time from the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease to the final diagnosis is, on average, 4 weeks. During this time, every third patient manages to infect one healthy person.
In this article on estet-portal.com, read about the modern principles of diagnosis and treatment of chlamydial infection in women, based on international recommendations and postulates of evidence-based medicine.
Chlamydial infection: typical clinical picture and possible complications
The incubation period for chlamydial infection is 1-3 weeks. In most women, chlamydial infection is asymptomatic, remaining unnoticed for a long time.
Manifest forms of chlamydial infection are characterized by symptoms such as:
1. Sensation of burning, itching during urination;
2. Postcoital and intermenstrual spotting;
3. Mucopurulent discharge;
4. Dyspareunia.
Long-term chlamydial infection can lead to the development of endometritis and salpingitis. The latter conditions are often manifested only by subfebrile condition and minor pain sensations.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (in foreign literature, the abbreviation "PID" – Pelvic inflammatory disease is often used to refer to this condition) is a late complication of chlamydia, usually requiring inpatient treatment.
Late complications of recurrent chlamydial infection also include the development of tubal obstruction, which in turn is the cause of infertility and ectopic pregnancies.
To confirm the diagnosis of chlamydial infection, the presence of only clinical symptoms is not enough, it is always necessary to use laboratory methods of research.
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Diagnosis of chlamydial infection: features of material sampling
Chlamydial infection can be detected using a nucleic acid identification test (PCR).
For the study, material taken from the mucous membrane of the cervical canal and urethra at a depth of about 1.5 cm is used. It is important that the patient does not urinate for two hours before the material is taken.
PCR of the first urine sample is also used to diagnose chlamydial infection, but this method is more sensitive in men.
Chlamydia in women: risks for the future baby
Depending on the route of infection, samples may also be taken from the throat, anus, and conjunctiva.
A serological test is used to confirm that a woman has chronic chlamydial infection.
Treatment of chlamydial infection: effective etiotropic therapy of the disease
The causative agent of chlamydial infection – Chlamydia trachomatis – sensitive to macrolides and tetracyclines.
Azithromycin 1 g as a single dose is the drug of choice for chlamydial infections. This medicine can also be used during pregnancy.
As an alternative to azithromycin, doxycycline 100 mg bid or lymecycline 300 mg bid for 7-10 days may be used.
Controlled studies have shown similar clinical efficacy between both groups of drugs, the use of which according to the above regimens led to a cure of 97% of patients.
The Invisible Enemy: The Subtleties of Chlamydia Treatment
Follow-up after etiotropic therapy for chlamydial infection
During the treatment it is necessary to refrain from sexual intercourse for 7 days. It is important to treat both sexual partners at the same time to prevent reinfection.
Chlamydial infection should be retested 4 weeks after treatment. Testing a patient earlier carries the risk of false positive results.
A patient diagnosed with chlamydial infection should be tested for other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
Thus, timely diagnosis and correct etiotropic therapy of chlamydial infection is an important condition for preventing the development of such serious complications as infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
Thank you for staying with estet-portal.com. Read other interesting articles in the "Gynecology" section. You may also be interested in Why is chlamydia called a new generation disease
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