Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are a global epidemic that has claimed so many lives across the globe. Today, it is estimated that 1 million new STD cases are being acquired by individuals around the globe each and every day, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are the most commonly reported STDs in the United States, with Chlamydia having more than 4 million cases in the United States alone in the year 2018 as per CDC reports.
What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia Trachomatis that infects sexually active individuals in various ways and causes uncomfortable symptoms. Chlamydia symptoms can pop up anywhere on the body, depending on the contact with the infected person. When you practice oral sex frequently with multiple partners, then there are high chances of acquiring Oral Chlamydia, where the bacteria invades your anatomy through your mouth and causes sore throat, white spots, and sores around the mouth that can indicate you have Oral Chlamydia. If you have symptoms around your eye, then it is termes as Eye Chlamydia or Chlamydia in Eye.
Chlamydia in Eye
Chlamydial Conjunctivitis is the medical term called for identifying Chlamydia in Eye. Symptoms like reddishness in the eye and swollen eyelids can be a sign of Eye Chlamydia which needs to be addressed right away. Leaving Chlamydia untreated can lead to severe health complications such as infertility and/or infection of the urinary tract in both men and women. In women, the consequences can be more severe, as one can face Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) a condition where the reproductive system is damaged and is a common cause of probability for women to impregnate.
Symptoms of Chlamydia in Eye
If you are sexually active and experiencing frequent tearing and eye irritation, then it is a good idea to get tested for Chlamydia. Following are some of the common symptoms of Chlamydia in Eye;
- Tearing.
- Irritation.
- Swollen eyelids.
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light).
- Mucous discharge.
- Pinkish eyes (Conjunctivitis).
- Swollen lymph nodes around the eyes.
How can you get Chlamydia in Eye?
Getting Chlamydia in Eye can be rare by can happen. The most common cause is when you touch your eyes with your unwashed hands after touching the genitals of the infected partner or contact your eye with your fingers after having intimacy with your partner. Eyes are moist and the bacteria can easily adapt and starts to manipulate causing itching, irritation, and pinkish eyes symptoms that can be indicative of something wrong – an STD like Chlamydia.
Other symptoms of Chlamydia
When it comes to STDs, they are pure villains – attacking silently without any noise upfront. Chlamydia can take anywhere between days to several weeks for the initial symptoms to appear. This makes it difficult to diagnose the disease in the first place as the symptoms themselves play silent. When the symptoms occur, the following can be experienced.
Chlamydia Symptoms in Women
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Swelling in the vagina
- Painful sex
- Vaginal bleeding during sexual intercourse
- Abdominal pain or back pain
Chlamydia Symptoms in Men
- Pain in the urethra
- Milky, watery discharge from the penis
- Pain or swelling in the testicles
- Pain while urinating
Common Symptoms
- Pain or bleeding while urinating
- Urge to urinate
- Itching, bleeding, or mucus discharge in the rectum
- Redness or itching in the eye
- Sore throat, cough, or fever
This is also one of the main reasons for the STDs like Chlamydia to be spread widely as individuals who are sexually active do not know they have this infection and thus unknowingly spread the disease to all other partners for days/weeks until the symptoms appear.
Can Chlamydia in Eye be Treated?
Technological advancements in medicine and the ability to detect the infection in early-stage phases even when no symptoms are present are truly fascinating. Chlamydia can be treated completely without any long-term health defects if addressed and treated at the right time. If you have the above symptoms of Chlamydia in Eye, then get tested for Chlamydia right away to confirm and proceed further with diagnosis to make things right. If you are tested positive for Chlamydia, your physician will assess your test results along with your historical sexual relationships and your symptoms and prescribe medications that can help suppress the symptoms and get rid of the bacteria.