Recognizing The Symptoms
Women who are pregnant can pass on Chlamydia to their baby during childbirth as it passes through the passage way. This is because the infection is more internal than external. It is possible for this baby to then have a respiratory disorder or eye problems that can be serious and even develop pneumonia. Women who are infected by Gonorrhea or Chlamydia have an inflammation of their urethritis and can have or not have a discharge. If there is a discharge it will be clear. Other things such as Trichomonas vaginalis can also cause this inflammation.
There are no scars left by this inflammation but the swelling that occurs can cause internal injuries and in turn leave a women not able to have children. Symptoms of Chlamydia shows no physical external signs except for the redness and swelling of the effected area. The area will be painful to the touch and urination can be uncomfortable. Having sex can also be painful. It is possible to find photos online if you want to see what it looks like, but the damage is internal so there is little to see.
Because there are few symptoms of Chlamydia, those who have it are unknowingly infecting their partners. Having yourself tested by your doctor is the best way to find out if you have it. This infection is cause by a bacteria and can be transmitted through blood, vaginal fluid, semen from the penis, touching your eyes when infected and passing it to a baby during birth. Those groups who are most at risk are anyone who is sexually active and babies. Your doctor can take a sample of your vaginal secretions and send it to the lab. The lab will then use one of many quick and cheap tests to diagnose. Half of the babies who are born vaginally to a mother with Chlamydia will have pink eye one week after birth. If the case is sever, blindness can happen and a long term respiratory disease can be expected in the child. The bacteria that causes this infection can also be passed onto the unborn child through the uterus. If diagnosed and untreated for months or even years, this infection can spread to lymph nodes that will then cause genital problem, skin breakdown, swelling and pain. Chlamydia can also lead to inflammation of the cervix which has been known to affect five to thirteen percent of women in the US with Chlamydia.
