$Unique_ID{BRK00940}
$Pretitle{Genitourinary System, Infections or Parasites}
$Title{How Can Chlamydia be Treated?}
$Subject{chlamydia sex STD treatment}
$Volume{J, A}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


How Can Chlamydia be Treated?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  I'm confused about the mysterious venereal disease, Chlamydia.  Can
it be treated and how?  Once you have been treated, can some of the germs
survive and come back at a later date?  What's the latest information?  Your
answer would be greatly appreciated.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  The group of chlamydial disease have been confusing doctors for some
time, so you are not alone.  Originally, they were thought to be viruses, but
now are considered to be more like bacteria.  Probably most of the cases of
infection of the cervix (cervicitis) and the urinary tube (urethritis) in
women and urethritis and proctitis (infection of the rectum) in men is caused
by Chlamydia trachomatis.  The disease is transmitted sexually, and the first
symptoms appear between 7 and 28 days after intercourse.  In men, the
urethritis starts with painful urination, and a penile discharge.  Women
frequently have the disease with few symptoms present except for a vaginal
discharge.  Since gonorrhea may create the same situation, it is usually
suspected first, but in the past, when the gonococcus bacteria was not found
by microscopic examination of slides of the discharge, or by bacteriologic
cultures, the infection was called "non-specific" or "nongonococcal"
urethritis.  Today we know these conditions are the result of a chlamydial
infection.  Treatment consists of a course of antibiotics, with tetracycline
or doxycycline used most frequently, for a period of ten days.  Erythromycin
is used for women who are pregnant.  When relapse occur, and they do in about
20 percent of the cases, longer periods of treatment lasting up to 28 days is
needed, resulting in a cure.  During the period of therapy, patients should
abstain from sexual intercourse, until the symptoms subside and the treatment
is completed.  Sexual partners should be examined and treated as well if the
infection is present, or the partners can reinfect one another, making it
appear that a relapse has occurred, when it is really a reinfection Although
this may be a period of some anxiety for the patient, the good news is that
the infection is curable in most circumstances.
ÿ
----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
