Pathogen and transmission
Chlamydial infections are caused by bacteria (Chlamydia trachomatis) and are the most frequently diagnosed sexually transmitted infections of bacterial origin. Transmission occurs through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal intercourse or during birth from the mother to the child.
Clinical picture
About 70 percent of women and 50 percent of men with a chlamydial infection exhibit no or only minor symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually manifest within 2 to 6 weeks after infection, principally through stinging and pain during urination as well as through vaginal or urethral discharge. The infection can be transmitted to sexual partners even in the absence of symptoms. A chlamydial infection is treatable with antibiotics or may even heal spontaneously. In women, an untreated chlamydia infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which in turn occasionally causes abdominal pain, fever, abnormal discharge, pelvic pain or agglutination of the fallopian tubes, the latter of which increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy and sterility. In men, the consequence in rare cases is an epididymal inflammation with subsequent sterility. Infected newborns may come down with conjunctivitis or pneumonia.
Frequency and distribution
In Switzerland, as in the rest of Europe, the number of reported chlamydial infections per year is increasing steadily, with 13,063 new diagnoses in 2022. The infection is especially common among adolescents and young women below the age of 24; men are slightly older, on average, when diagnosed.
Prevention
Condoms reduce the risk of getting infected with chlamydia. But an infection is possible despite condom use. It is important to detect and treat an infection early.
Therefore:
If you have changing or multiple sexual partners during the same time period, talk to your doctor or another specialist about sexually transmitted infections (including HIV) and get advice on whether tests may be necessary.
In case of an infection, www.lovelife.ch provides tips on how to inform your partner.
And for everyone having sex:
Because everybody likes it differently: do the personalised Safer Sex Check at www.lovelife.ch.