Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. This infection can affect both men and women. It often presents without noticeable symptoms, meaning many individuals are unaware they have it. Despite its silent nature, chlamydia is treatable and curable.
Chlamydia and Water: The Reality
Chlamydia cannot be contracted from water sources like swimming pools, hot tubs, or toilets. The bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is highly fragile and cannot survive for extended periods outside the human body. It requires specific conditions found within living host cells to thrive and replicate. Public pools and hot tubs are typically treated with chlorine and other disinfectants, which effectively kill bacteria and viruses, including Chlamydia trachomatis. Even if infected fluids were present, extensive dilution in a large body of water would make transmission highly unlikely.
How Chlamydia is Transmitted
Chlamydia is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex with someone who has the infection. Transmission can occur even without full penetration, as contact between mucous membranes and infected secretions or fluids is sufficient. Sharing sex toys can also facilitate the spread of the bacterium.
Another route of transmission is from a pregnant woman to her baby during childbirth. If the mother has untreated chlamydia, the infant can acquire the infection as it passes through the birth canal. This can lead to serious health issues for the newborn, such as eye infections or pneumonia.
Symptoms, Testing, and Treatment
Many individuals infected with chlamydia do not experience symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they may not manifest until several weeks after exposure. In women, common signs include abnormal vaginal discharge, a burning sensation during urination, or bleeding between periods or after sexual activity. Men might notice discharge from the penis, burning during urination, or pain and swelling in one or both testicles.
Infections affecting other body areas can also occur. Rectal chlamydia may cause pain, discharge, or bleeding. Throat infections are often asymptomatic but can sometimes lead to a sore throat. Eye infections (conjunctivitis) can result in redness, pain, and discharge. Regular testing is important for sexually active individuals, especially since symptoms are often absent.
Chlamydia testing typically involves collecting a urine sample or a swab from potentially infected sites, such as the cervix, vagina, urethra, rectum, or throat. Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT) are the preferred diagnostic method, as they detect the bacterium’s genetic material. Chlamydia is effectively treated with antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare professional. If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, which can cause permanent reproductive damage and infertility. In men, untreated infection can lead to epididymitis, an inflammation of the tubes near the testicles, which can also affect fertility.