Treatment of chlamydia: how to cure chlamydia at home forever

What is chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial disease that is transmitted primarily through sexual contact. In this case, the organs of the genitourinary system come under attack. Most often, chlamydia affects the urethra and cervix. With the development of an ascending infection, the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, testicles and uterine appendages can be affected. Despite the fact that the disease manifests itself predominantly as multifocal lesions of the genitourinary system, other organs can also suffer when infected with chlamydia:

conjunctiva,
rectum,
Airways,
The lymph nodes,
liver,
nervous system,
the cardiovascular system.

There are also cases of joint damage, which are often confused with ordinary arthritis. The course of a chlamydial infection largely depends on the specific pathogen and how it enters the body. Read more about the different types of chlamydia in our main article on this disease.

Pathogen

The disease is caused by bacteria of the genera Chlamydia and Chlamydophila. They parasitize and multiply in the cells of their host, which can be not only humans, but also animals and birds.

The most important human enemy among chlamydia is the causative agent of genitourinary chlamydia, Chlamydia trachomatis. Its “favorite” places of penetration include the epithelial tissue of the fallopian tubes, urethra and rectum. Penetrating into the host epithelial cell, chlamydia begins to feed on its energy resources. Then they enter the intercellular space in order to infect new cells - this process develops quite rapidly, determining the duration of the incubation period and the clinical picture of the disease. Chlamydia destroys a healthy epithelial cell within 2-3 days, after which a new reproduction cycle begins, which usually does not exceed 48 hours.

How to treat chlamydia in men: all about the causes, symptoms and diagnosis

Chlamydia trachomatis are microorganisms that are neither bacteria nor viruses.
They have taken an intermediate position and are more likely parasites that choose the human genitourinary system as their habitat. Chlamydia causes a serious disease - chlamydia. It occurs even more often than gonorrhea, and is quite common. Therefore, the treatment of chlamydia trachomatis in men has several well-known schemes, but in each case, therapy is selected individually.

Routes of infection

Due to their two-phase life cycle, chlamydia adapts well to unfavorable environmental conditions, so you can acquire these “little rascals” even when using someone else’s soap.

According to statistics, every year an average of 100,000,000 (!) cases of infection are recorded worldwide.

Sexual tract

The greatest chance of contracting chlamydia occurs during sex with an infected partner. The urethra and pelvic organs are most often affected; the disease is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.

From mother to child

A child can get chlamydia from the mother while in the womb, during childbirth, or through breast milk. In this case, the respiratory system, conjunctiva, joints, and genitals may be affected.

Household way

Contact and household transmission is less common. Typically, people who have frequent contact with birds are susceptible to infection, since many birds, such as ducks and chickens, are also susceptible to chlamydia (its other name is psittacosis). Ornithosis is caused by the bacteria Chlamydophila psittaci. Typically, infection occurs in poultry farms, where people constantly inhale dust that contains microscopic particles of bird droppings. Children in families that keep feathered pets also often suffer from psittacosis. In addition to the respiratory system, the disease in this case often affects the eyes.

Contact path

This includes all methods of transmission when the cause of infection is direct or indirect contact with the biological fluids of a sick person. This is primarily a contact and household route of transmission, when common personal hygiene items become the source of infection. The term “chlamydia family” appeared because children often become carriers of the infection, having become infected at home from their parents.

Airborne path

The airborne route of transmission of chlamydia is characteristic of the bacteria Chlamydophila pneumoniae, which is one of the causes of bacterial pneumonia.

Screening

Due to its predominantly asymptomatic course and dangerous complications, chlamydia often becomes the object of screening studies. These diagnostic procedures are aimed at detecting hidden diseases in patients with certain risk factors. In the case of sexually transmitted diseases, screening is primarily necessary for sexually active men and women.

Other indications for screening:

Detection of infertility in a man or woman.
Pregnancy or family planning.
Having multiple sexual partners and unsafe sex.
HIV infection, AIDS and other immunosuppressive conditions.

Serology, culture, and polymerase chain reaction may also be used for screening. The transmission of urogenital infections to newborns during childbirth is a pressing problem in pediatric practice, so it is very important to undergo examinations in advance.

Symptoms of chlamydia

The incubation period of the disease is on average 1-2 weeks, but sometimes it can last up to a month. After this, the disease progresses, often without causing any clinical manifestations.

Asymptomatic progression is an extremely unpleasant feature of chlamydia. According to data from various sources, this is from up to 80% of all cases of infection. It would seem that what's wrong with this? If there are no symptoms, why get treatment? But it's not that simple. Firstly, in such situations, the risk of infection of the patient’s immediate environment increases - after all, he does not yet know about his illness. Secondly, chlamydia does not go away on its own, and its late diagnosis is always fraught with an additional risk of severe complications.

Important! Since chlamydia is often asymptomatic, it is advisable for women at the stage of planning pregnancy to undergo screening for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases. Even if there are no signs of chlamydia, it is better to play it safe to prevent infection of the fetus, because the disease is not only transmitted through sexual contact.

It should also be borne in mind that the symptoms of chlamydia can often be nonspecific, that is, they resemble the symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, if after accidental sexual contact a sore throat appears or the mucous membrane of the eyes becomes inflamed for no apparent reason, you should immediately consult a doctor (his specialization will depend on the nature of the symptoms). This must be done even if a condom was used during sex - it significantly reduces the risk of infection, but does not provide a 100% guarantee of safety.

In men

Typically, the clinical manifestations of chlamydia in men resemble chronic inflammation of the urethra - urethritis. The following symptoms are noted:

scanty translucent discharge from the urethra,
moderate pain, aggravated by urination (pain can radiate to the rectum),
the urine is cloudy, may contain minor impurities of pus or blood,
intoxication is manifested by general weakness and an increase in temperature to an average of 37.5 oC,
in rare cases, swelling of the scrotum and pain in the testicles, radiating to the lower back, may be observed,
after unprotected anal intercourse, symptoms reminiscent of proctitis are observed - pain and itching in the rectum, as well as purulent and/or bloody discharge.

Upon examination, the mucous membrane of the patient’s external urethral opening is red and swollen.

If these symptoms quickly go away without treatment, this does not mean that the body has coped with the infection on its own and the problem can be forgotten. Most often, the sudden “self-removal” of clinical signs of chlamydia means that the disease has become latent.

Among women

A characteristic feature of the clinical manifestations of chlamydia in women is nagging pain in the lower abdomen, reminiscent of sensations on the eve of menstruation. Other symptoms:

itching and pain in the vagina,
thick mucus discharge from the urethra (their quantity increases over time, the color changes to yellowish-green, a sharp unpleasant odor appears),
frequent and painful urination,
weakness and slight increase in temperature,
intermenstrual bleeding from the genital tract.

Upon visual examination, the mucous membrane of the external opening of the urethra is swollen, hyperemia (redness) is noted. On endoscopic examination: ulcerations on the mucous membrane of the cervix, swelling and redness, mucous discharge mixed with pus.

If infection occurs during oral or anal intercourse, pain in the throat and rectum may appear, respectively.

Used sources

Dermatovenerology. National leadership. Brief edition / ed. Yu. S. Butova, Yu. K. Skripkina, O. L. Ivanova - M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2013. - 896 p.
Skin and venereal diseases. Textbook for students of higher medical educational institutions. / E. S. Kozorez - M.: Publishing house VLADOS-Press, 2005. - 173 p.
Dermatovenerology. Scientific and practical publication. / ed. A. A. Kubanova, V. A. Samsonova - M.: Publishing house "GEOTAR-Media", 2006. - 311 p.
Clinical recommendations for the management of patients with sexually transmitted infections and urogenital infections / Russian Society of Dermatovenerologists and Cosmetologists - M.: Business Express, 2012. - 112 p.
Syphilis and sexually transmitted infections: atlas / under general. ed. prof. N.V. Kungurova. – Ekaterinburg: Ural Publishing House. Univ., 2015. – 184 p.

Diagnostics

Discharge from the urethra, the first portion of urine, prostate secretion (in men) and discharge from the cervical canal (in women) are used as research material. There are several methods that are currently considered the most effective in diagnosing chlamydia.

Urogenital smear. This universal diagnostic method is PCR (polymerase chain reaction), with the help of which chlamydia DNA is determined in biomaterial. The undeniable advantage of the method is that the DNA of each microorganism is unique, which means that the analysis will be specific. Simply put, in this case chlamydia cannot be confused with other bacteria.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (ELISA). The method is based on the determination of immunoglobulins IgM and IgG. These are antibodies that are produced by the body's immune system in response to the activity of pathogenic microorganisms. The main disadvantage of the method is the possibility of obtaining false positive results.
Cultural method (bacteria culture). The essence of the method: a scraping of epithelial cells from the urethra is taken from the patient (the procedure is unpleasant, but short). The resulting biomaterial is inoculated on a nutrient medium, which is then placed in an incubator. If after a few days chlamydia colonies begin to multiply on the surface of the nutrient medium, the laboratory technician has every reason to tell the patient the unpleasant news. Due to its high reliability, the culture method is considered the gold standard for diagnosing chlamydia.
Microscopy. This method is considered outdated, since chlamydia, among other pathogenic microorganisms, is not distinguished by its size, and therefore it can be determined under a microscope in approximately 30% of observations. The only advantage of the method is that the cost of the study is low, so in most government institutions microscopy is performed free of charge.
RIF (immunofluorescence reaction). A smear is taken from the patient's urethra, after which antibodies that recognize chlamydia protein are added to the resulting biomaterial. For convenience, they are marked with a fluorescent marker, so if the biomaterial actually contains chlamydia, luminous antibodies recognize them and form an “antigen-antibody” complex. In this case, a sample of biomaterial will sparkle under the microscope lenses, like a Christmas tree. The disadvantage of the method is low reliability (40-50%).
Express tests. In recent years, tests have appeared on the market that help identify chlamydia even at home. The result can be obtained within 15 minutes, and the manufacturer claims high reliability and specificity of rapid tests (90-95%, respectively).

Important! The patient's sexual partner must also be diagnosed.

When to culture for sensitivity?

This laboratory test is performed before treatment for the infection begins.

Bacterial culture is done to identify the pathogen, and an undoubted advantage is the determination of sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.

Important! Research should be carried out before starting to take antibacterial drugs.

During the use of antibiotics, the test results will not be reliable.

Sensitivity testing must be done, since chlamydia is resistant to many antimicrobial drugs.

This method is used to ensure that the doctor prescribes effective antibiotics.

Treatment

The main goal in the treatment of chlamydia is the eradication of Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis, that is, the complete destruction of these bacteria. Antibiotics are used for this purpose.

Antimicrobial therapy

The specific drug and antibiotic regimen are selected by the doctor individually for each patient. Chlamydia has the worst relationship with tetracyclines and macrolides, which is why they are first-line drugs. As an alternative, fluoroquinolone antibiotics are used.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease, which means all sexual partners should be treated for it.

Treatment of chlamydia, like many other sexually transmitted infections, involves:

Refusal of sexual intercourse for the entire period of therapy.
Treatment of all sexual partners of the patient (if he had sexual contact with the patient within 60 days before diagnosis).
A control smear for PCR analysis after completion of treatment (3-4 weeks after the end of therapy for pregnant women, and 3-4 months later for all others).

Additional methods and means of treatment

In addition to systemic treatment with antibiotics, local therapy is also used for chlamydia. The most common methods:

washing the urethra with disinfectant solutions in men and women (for example, furatsilin or chamomile decoction),
vaginal tampons with tetracycline,
indomethacin suppositories to reduce itching and swelling.

After completing the course of treatment, men are recommended to massage the prostate gland.

Restoration of microflora after taking antibiotics

To restore the intestinal microflora during and after taking antibiotics, probiotic preparations containing live lacto- and bifidobacteria can be prescribed. For women, it is also possible to use vaginal suppositories and capsules.

Diet for chlamydia

Chlamydia should be treated in conjunction with a transition to a balanced diet. First of all, oddly enough, it is necessary to exclude any dairy products. The fact is that lactic acid bacteria help chlamydia develop resistance to antibiotics. Quite expected restrictions apply to alcohol, fried, fatty and smoked foods - you will have to forget about them during treatment.

Treatment at home

It is not recommended to treat chlamydia on your own. Home remedies are not proven to be effective. Treatment with folk remedies can only aggravate the problem and lead to complications. During therapy, you can take vitamins in consultation with your doctor, drink chamomile tea or take chamomile baths.

Immunomodulatory drugs

Chlamydia is NOT treated with immunomodulatory drugs. This is ineffective and does not give a positive result. The basis of treatment is antibiotic therapy.

Clinical manifestations

In women, the most common type of infection is the cervix. In approximately 50-70% of cases, this disease is asymptomatic. Further development of chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in a woman, which involves damage to the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. This pathology provokes scarring in the reproductive organs and causes various negative consequences, including chronic pelvic pain, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. The presence of chlamydia in the genitals poses a threat to the fetus during pregnancy.

Due to its asymptomatic course, chlamydia can rarely be detected in the initial stages of development. Bacteria continue to spread in the body for months or even years. Primary symptoms usually include unpleasant vaginal discharge, painful urination, and fever. Invasion of other microorganisms into the genitourinary system after the manifestation of chlamydia significantly worsens the patient’s condition.

In men, the main clinical manifestation of the disease is inflammation of the urethra. The first signs of this condition may include painful urination, fever, and unusual discharge from the penis. The bacteria subsequently spread to the testicles, urethra, bladder and prostate gland. Men also often experience infertility associated with chlamydia infestation.

What are the consequences of chlamydia if left untreated?

In the absence of timely treatment, chlamydia can be fraught with a number of unpleasant complications. As we already know, the disease is very often asymptomatic, so the risk of unpleasant consequences is quite high.

One of the most common complications of chlamydia is Reiter's syndrome (Fig. 2). It manifests itself as a combination of symptoms of conjunctivitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes), arthritis (inflammation of the joints) and urethritis (inflammation of the urethra).

Figure 2. Reiter's syndrome is a complication of chlamydial infection. Photo: metmuseum.org

Consequences in men

The most common complications in men are:

inflammation of the testicles and their appendages (orchiepididymitis),
narrowing of the prostate ducts,
chronic prostatitis,
narrowing of the urethra (can only be treated surgically).

Consequences in women

If chlamydia is not treated for a long time, women may experience the spread of infection to the uterus, its appendages and fallopian tubes with further formation of adhesions in them. This, in turn, can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy. In severe cases, the inflammatory process spreads to the peritoneum, causing peritonitis and inflammation of the fibrous capsule of the liver (perihepatitis). The process is accompanied by the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. In medicine, this complication is called Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome.

Consequences during pregnancy

Pregnant women may experience complications such as congenital chlamydia in the child, as well as an interrupted pregnancy (miscarriage).

Therapy for chlamydial infection in pregnant women

The disease poses a significant danger to the mother and unborn child.

If an infected woman plans to conceive, this is often impossible.

There is a violation of the attachment of the fertilized egg in the uterine cavity.

Chlamydia leads to a decrease or increase in the amount of amniotic fluid.

Pregnancy is often disrupted.

Infection leads to miscarriages, premature births, placental abruption, and weakening of labor.

During the birth process, the baby becomes infected.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis and sometimes pneumonia may develop.

At an early age, these diseases are severe.

An unfavorable outcome is also possible.

If an infection occurs in a pregnant woman, there is a solution.

Special regimens are used with antibacterial drugs that are safe for the fetus and mother.

It is enough to take the correct course of antibiotics.

Remember!
Treatment should begin in the second trimester.
By this time, the child will have formed all the important organs.

Medicines that are used in pregnant women are macrolides of the newest generation.

These include Josamycin.

The drug does not have a harmful effect on the child.

It does not cause allergic reactions or other side effects in the mother.

Only a doctor should prescribe treatment.

It is recommended that the sexual partner undergo a course of antibacterial therapy.

This is necessary to avoid reinfecting the expectant mother.

Prevention

First of all, reasonable caution should be exercised in choosing sexual partners. Using a condom significantly reduces the risk of infection, but does not provide a complete guarantee of safety. Therefore, after sexual contacts with unfamiliar people, it is better to play it safe and get diagnosed - this will help avoid unpleasant complications.

Regular health screening is also recommended for people who have close contact with our feathered cousins. This applies to both poultry farm workers and poultry owners. Symptoms such as pain when urinating, inflammation of the conjunctiva and joint pain should cause particular concern. In this case, it is better not to delay the diagnosis.