Home > Patients > General Information > Women`s Health > Chlamydia and Gonorrhea (CTNG)
Q. What are chlamydia and gonorrhea?
A.
Chlamydia is the most common STD in the US. It is estimated that 3 million people contract Chlamydia a year in the United States. Gonorrhea is the second most common STD in the US. It is estimated that 1 million people contract Gonorrhea each year in the United States. These diseases can affect the vagina, cervix, penis, anus, and urethra or in some cases your eyes.
Q. How can chlamydia and gonorrhea be transmitted?
A. Here are the ways they can be transmitted:
- Having unprotected Vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner
- Having oral sex with an infected partner
- An infected mother can pass these diseases to her newborn child during a vaginal birth
Q. What are the symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhea?
A. In cases of chlamydia or gonorrhea it is true that many females do not show any symptoms however, if symptoms do occur in infected women they may show in the following forms:
- Abdominal Pain
- Pain during urination
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Urge to frequently urinate
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Spotting between periods
- Nausea and fever
1 in 5 males experience no symptoms. In those males that do experience symptoms they may show in the following forms:
- Frequent urination
- Discharge from the penis
- Head of penis may turn red
- Pain during urination
- Blood in urination
- Swollen or tender testicles
* Symptoms in both females and males may appear to come and go.
Q. What other health problems can result from chlamydia and gonorrhea?
A. If gone untreated the effects of chlamydia and gonorrhea can present serious health threats. The infection can spread into the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. This can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease or PID. PID can have the following effects:
- infertility
- chronic pelvic pain
- increased risk of ectopic pregnancy
- increased susceptibility to septicemia (blood poisoning) and arthritis
- increased chances of heath issues related to heart, skin and brain
Q. How are chlamydia and gonorrhea diagnosed?
A. Even though there are a wide variety of laboratory tests that may be used, your physician has chosen a test that will check for the presence of both the diseases at the same time. PCR is the most sensitive test. Many patients that test positive for one disease also test positive for the other. This is the most effective way to check if the patient has been infected with one or both of the diseases.
Q. How are chlamydia and gonorrhea treated?
A. Chlamydia and gonorrhea both can be treated with antibiotics. If the patient is infected with both diseases it may be necessary to treat with a combination of antibiotics. Although it may seem that the symptoms have gone it is very important to finish the recommended treatment as the infection may still be present. To avoid re-infection it is important that your sex partner receives treatment also.
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