Embarrassed Dont Be: It Can Be Dangerous
A lot of people dont visit their doctor due to symptoms because they consider it potentially embarrassing. Dont put it off! Both UTIs and STDs are easy to diagnose and just as easy to cure. Any waiting before you see your doctor has the potential to be more dangerous to you and your sexual partners, and not seeing a doctor at all could mean that your symptoms get worse.
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How Did I Get Chlamydia If I Didnt Cheat
A note from Cleveland Clinic
It can be embarrassing to talk about anything sex-related with your healthcare provider, including STI prevention. But your sex life is an important part of your health that your provider needs to know about to care for you. Not getting the treatment you need for chlamydia can pose serious risks to your health. Speak with your provider about getting regularly screened for chlamydia and other STIs to reduce your risks of complications. Practice safer sex to prevent the spread of chlamydia.
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Why Its Important To Seek Treatment
Urinary Tract Infections occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and multiply in the bladder. In most cases, UTIs can be successfully treated with a short course of antibiotics and symptoms clear up within a few days. However, when left untreated, urinary tract infections can lead to serious complications including recurrent infections, kidney disease, and even sepsis.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial infections that spread through sexual intercourse and develop in the reproductive organs, the urethra, throat, and rectum. Both infections are curable and are treated with antibiotics. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause permanent health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and increased risk of HIV.
If you think you have a UTI or an STI, visit our clinic today. With onsite lab testing, our compassionate providers can determine the cause of your symptoms and provide you with an appropriate treatment plan.
Clinical Manifestations And Complications Of Chlamydial Infection In Male Genitourinary Tract
C. trachomatis is a bacterium whose sexually transmitted strains D-K cause genital tract infections in women and men . However, chlamydia is known as a silent pathogen because about three-quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no symptoms . Symptoms of chlamydia, if present, include discharge of mucopurulent or purulent material, dysuria, urethral pruritus, urinary frequency or urgency, and lower abdominal or pelvic pain and show up about 1 to 3 weeks after being infected. One of the most common symptoms for in cases of chlamydia in men is a painful urination. In the worst cases chlamydia infection can, without treatment, lead on to other problems such as epididymitis or orchitis if the infection has made it to the testicles. This is particularly worrisome because it can occasionally cause a man to become sterile.
Other C. trachomatis strains, L1, L2 and L3 cause lymphogranuloma venereum. This tropical sexually transmitted infection is currently responsible for outbreaks of ulcerative proctitis mainly affecting homosexual men in various European countries and the US .
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How Can You Tell The Difference Between A Uti And Sti
This is where it gets tricky. Because the symptoms of UTIs and STDs can overlap, it may be difficult to tell exactly what you’re dealing with. In fact, one study found that ER doctors misdiagnosed STIs and UTIs more than half the time.
“Certain STIs including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomonas might cause symptoms such as painful or frequent urination, similar to a UTI,” says Dr. Dweck. Patients with herpes who are having an outbreak sometimes complain that they experience burning when urinating, says Dr. Olcha however, herpes usually presents with painful vesicles , which is not a symptom of UTIs.
This all sounds scary, but rest assured: A quick visit to your ob-gyn can clear the air. To determine if you have a UTI, your doctor will analyze a urine sample for bacteria or high levels of white blood cells, which are signs of infection, according to the AUA, or send a urine culture to a lab. If they do indeed think you have a UTI, your doc will likely prescribe a round of antibiotics to clear the infection. Some doctors may also provide a mild bladder analgesic to provide quicker relief, says Dr. Dweck. (
Depending on your symptoms or if you think there’s a possibility it may be something other than a UTI your doctor may recommend you do an STI test as well. If they don’t offer or recommend it, you can always ask to do an STI test. STI tests are analyzed in a lab and often take a few to come back with results. (
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Vaginal Discharge
Vaginal discharge may range in color from clear to gray, yellow, greenish, or milky-white and may have an unpleasant smell. The symptoms and character of vaginal discharge depend upon the specific condition that is the cause of the discharge.
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Chlamydia Vs Gonorrhea: Whats The Difference
Both chlamydia and gonorrhea can be completely asymptomatic in a large number of people. According to the CDC, chlamydia is more prevalent than gonorrhea, with 1,800,000 new cases of chlamydia reported in the United States in 2019 vs. 600,000 cases of gonorrhea.
The discharge caused by chlamydia is more likely to have a strong, unpleasant smell and a cloudy appearance. Gonorrhea, on the other hand, tends to cause discharge that is white, yellow, or greenish.
Complications of both chlamydia and gonorrhea can include:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Epididymitis in men, which can lead to infertility in rare cases
Unlike gonorrhea, chlamydia can cause reactive arthritis in some cases. Untreated chlamydia eye infections can also lead to a chronic form of conjunctivitis, called trachoma.
According to the WHO, trachoma can cause irreversible blindness and it has been estimated to affect 137 million people around the world, mainly in endemic areas.
Untreated gonorrhea, on the other hand, can spread to the joints, skin, and valves of the heart. When it affects the joints, gonorrhea can cause a condition called septic arthritis. In very rare cases, gonorrhea can cause meningitis or endocarditis .
How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed
The most common test for chlamydia is called a nucleic acid amplification test . Your provider takes a sample of fluid by doing a vaginal/cervical swab or collecting a urine sample. Then, they send the sample off to a lab to check for the bacteria that causes chlamydia. Your provider may do the test in an office, or they may ask you to do an at-home chlamydia test. Follow your providers instructions carefully to ensure you get accurate test results.
Because most chlamydia cases are asymptomatic, its important to get screened for chlamydia even if you dont notice any signs of infection. The CDC recommends that sexually active cisgender women who are high-risk for chlamydia get screened regularly. Women, more so than men, experience the most severe complications from chlamydia. Transgender men and nonbinary individuals with vaginas should be screened regularly, too, as they can experience the same complications of chlamydia.
Youre considered high-risk if you:
- Have had chlamydia infections previously.
Cisgender men, or trans and nonbinary individuals with penises, should be screened for chlamydia if:
- They live in a setting where chlamydia spreads frequently, like correctional facilities, adolescent clinics and sexual health clinics.
- They have sex with other men.
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How Long Can You Have Chlamydia Without Knowing
Chlamydia is sometimes called a silent infection because the majority of people who have chlamydia regardless of gender never notice symptoms. People who do notice symptoms often dont recognize the signs that they have chlamydia until a few weeks after theyve been infected. Because chlamydia cases are often asymptomatic, its easy to spread chlamydia to someone else without realizing it. And its easy to miss out on receiving the treatment needed to prevent the serious complications that can result from chlamydia.
Gonorrhea Versus Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection is inflammation of the urethra and bladder that can lead to a kidney infection if left untreated.
Symptoms such as frequent urination, a burning sensation while urinating, urgent urination, and lower abdominal pain can also be signs and symptoms of gonorrhea.
To differentiate between two conditions, itâs important to analyze signs and symptoms in the right context. In this case, that means considering the following:
- The gender of the patient
- What preceded the event
- When symptoms first appeared
- How the disease has been evolving over time
Itâs important to distinguish between these two conditions because unlike a UTI , gonorrhea need to be diagnosed and treated because otherwise it can cause irreversible reproductive system damage .
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When To Seek Medical Advice
Visit your local sexual health clinic if you have symptoms of NGU or you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection .
You should still seek treatment if the symptoms of NGU disappear on their own, as there’s a risk you could pass the infection on to someone else.
Find sexual health services.
Is It A Urinary Tract Infection Or Chlamydia
The only way to find out is to see a doctor and have the necessary tests done. As the symptoms of a urinary tract infection , chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases can often be similar, you won’t be able to know by checking any symptoms you might have against lists you can find online.
A urinary tract infection is an infection in any part of the urinary system. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra. More seriously, the infection can spread to the kidneys or ureter. UTIs are more common in women than men.
Urinary tract infections are usually caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract through the urethra and beginning to multiply in the bladder. The E. coli bacteria is implicated in many UTIs, particularly those affecting the bladder . Other bacterial infections can cause UTI.
Chlamydia is caused by infection with the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria.
If you have these kind of symptoms, your doctor may use a range of diagnostic tests to identify the cause. This can include analysis of a urine sample, culturing the bacteria that are present in your urine, an ultrasound of your urinary tract and/or cystoscopy .
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When To See A Healthcare Provider For Cystitis Or Uti
Young children and men should see a healthcare provider when experiencing symptoms of a UTI or cystitis to rule out other conditions because both conditions can be more serious among these groups.
For women experiencing symptoms of a UTI lasting longer than three days, see a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis and proper treatment. Because severe cases may lead to more serious infections of the bladder or kidney that need to be treated in a hospital setting, its important to seek treatment as early as possible. Any of the following symptoms warrant a medical providers advice:
- Painful, burning/ stinging urination
- An urgent need to pee frequently but in small amounts
- Bloody, dark, cloudy, or foul-smelling urine
- Pain in the bladder or surrounding areas
Discuss your symptoms in detail with your healthcare provider, seeking their advice regarding diagnostic testing to rule out other diseases.
Urinary Tract Infections are commonly diagnosed in thousands of people every year the same is true with the most common Sexually Transmitted Diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia.
The symptoms of many common STDs can cross over and be similar to some of the symptoms you might experience if you have a UTI. This can be worrying for anyone who isnt sure which they have: Sexually transmitted infections and conditions can be more serious than your routine UTI and they are more likely to transfer from one person to another.
A Sexually Transmitted Infection :
Some infections are passed from one person to another during sex. These are called sexually transmitted infections, commonly known as STIs.
A sexually transmitted infection refers to any one of various infections that can be transmitted by direct sexual contact. There are many STIs with different symptoms. But often, people with an STI dont have any symptoms at all , so they may not even know they have one. The only way to know for sure if you have an STI is to get tested.
If you are sexually active, there are precautions you may take to reduce your risk of contracting an STI.
- Practice safe sexusing condoms can reduce your chances of getting STIs
- Get tested regularly to help you stay healthy and STI-free
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Who Should Be Tested For Chlamydia
You should go to your health provider for a test if you have symptoms of chlamydia, or if you have a partner who has a sexually transmitted disease. Pregnant women should get a test when they go to their first prenatal visit.
People at higher risk should get checked for chlamydia every year:
- Sexually active women 25 and younger
- Older women who have new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted disease
- Men who have sex with men
Uti Or Std: How To Tell The Difference
Urinary Tract Infections are commonly diagnosed in thousands of people every year the same is true with the most common Sexually Transmitted Diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia.
The symptoms of many common STDs can cross over and be similar to some of the symptoms you might experience if you have a UTI. This can be worrying for anyone who isnt sure which they have: Sexually transmitted infections and conditions can be more serious than your routine UTI and they are more likely to transfer from one person to another.
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When To See Your Obgyn
Ultimately, you cant know for sure if you have a yeast infection or an STD unless you get tested by a doctor. Youll want to set up an appointment as soon as possible if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Vaginal or vulvar itching, soreness, and irritation
- A burning feeling during sex or urination
- Think, white discharge
- Bleeding during or after a bowel movement
All of these symptoms can be indicators of a yeast infection, STDs, or other medical conditions that need to be addressed by a medical professional.
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Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Testing
Records of all chlamydia and gonorrhea nucleic acid amplification tests conducted between January 2001 and December 2013 at 2 large WA pathology laboratories were also linked to the cohort. The date of specimen collection and test result were supplied to the research team. Multiple tests for the same infection on the same referral date were counted as 1 test and considered positive if any of the results were positive. Tests were then limited to 1 test per infection within a 30-day period.
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What Is The Treatment For Chlamydia
Chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics. HIV-positive persons with chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV-negative.
Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sexual activity for 7 days after single dose antibiotics or until completion of a 7-day course of antibiotics, to prevent spreading the infection to partners. It is important to take all of the medication prescribed to cure chlamydia. Medication for chlamydia should not be shared with anyone. Although medication will cure the infection, it will not repair any permanent damage done by the disease. If a persons symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment, he or she should return to a health care provider to be reevaluated.
Repeat infection with chlamydia is common.49 Women whose sex partners have not been appropriately treated are at high risk for re-infection. Having multiple chlamydial infections increases a womans risk of serious reproductive health complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy.50,51 Women and men with chlamydia should be retested about three months after treatment of an initial infection, regardless of whether they believe that their sex partners were successfully treated.40
Infants infected with chlamydia may develop ophthalmia neonatorum and/or pneumonia.10 Chlamydial infection in infants can be treated with antibiotics.