Chlamydia in men - what are the special features?

introduction

A chlamydial infection is an infection with a bacterium belonging to the chlamydial class. Depending on the type of pathogen, this can lead to infections of the eyes, the lungs or the urogenital tract.

The pathogens are transmitted, depending on the species, through sexual intercourse, breathing air or a fly. Colloquially, most people speak of a chlamydial infection as the sexually transmitted form, which then leads to infections in the urogenital area.

What are the symptoms of a chlamydial infection?

A chlamydial infection in the genitourinary tract can often be symptom-free and therefore only recognized late.

However, if symptoms do occur, there is often a feeling of pressure, pain or burning when urinating or a purulent discharge from the urethra. Itching in the genital area can also occur.

If conjunctivitis occurs as a result of a chlamydial infection, this is often more noticeable. This leads to burning, itchy eyes, which are especially sticky when you wake up.
Furthermore, the eyes are red and there may be a slimy-purulent discharge.

Pneumonia, on the other hand, can manifest itself as a dry cough and flu-like symptoms.

Inflammation of the rectum (proctitis) as a result of a chlamydial infection manifests itself as a bloody, purulent discharge or stool from the anus. Furthermore, it can lead to fecal incontinence, intestinal cramps or itching of the anus.

The rectum is a part of the rectum. You can also read our article about a Inflammation of the rectum

There are the following tests:

Various tests can be used to diagnose a chlamydial infection.

These include a swab, urine test, blood test or even a self-test to take at home.

The self-test is not recommended by experts and should be used with extreme caution as the results are not reliable. In order to make a reliable diagnosis, it is better to contact a doctor who has better and safer testing options.

If there is an infection of the genitourinary tract, a swab or urine test is recommended. These are examined in the laboratory and tested for Chlamydia trachomatis of subgroup D-K, which are mainly found in the urogenital tract.

A blood test detects the bacteria by detecting antibodies. These are antibodies that were specifically formed by the body against the bacterium.

However, it cannot be used to prove exactly when the infection started. In addition, the test can be negative if the infection is fresh, as no antibodies are initially formed.

Where can a chlamydial infection occur in men?

Chlamydia infection can occur in different places and depends on the type of pathogen. For example, the urogenital tract, the eyes or the lungs are common.

This manifests itself in conjunctivitis of the eye (paratrachoma or trachoma), various types of inflammation of the urogenital tract such as inflammation of the testicles (testicular inflammation) or epididymis (epididymis) or the urethra (urethritis) or pneumonia.

Read more on this topic at: Chlamydial infection of the lungs

A so-called lymphogranuloma inguinale can also occur in the genital area. These are small ulcers in the genital area that regress after two weeks.

This is followed by bluish swelling of the lymph nodes in the genital area, which can lead to the formation of an accumulation of pus (abscess).

Read more about the abscess at: Abscess in the genital area - what helps?

Furthermore, anal sex can lead to inflammation of the rectum (proctitis), which is noticeable, among other things, in a bloody, purulent discharge from the anus.

The rectum is a part of the rectum. So read everything about a here Inflammation of the rectum

Course of the disease with a chlamydial infection

The course of a chlamydial infection initially depends on the type of pathogen.

In the case of urogenital infections, symptoms can often also develop, but they can nonetheless be just as contagious and harmful.

If symptoms occur, there is often a burning sensation when urinating, purulent discharge from the urethra or testicular pain. If the infection is left untreated, infertility can develop as the disease progresses. Therefore, an infection should definitely be treated.

Read our article on this: Infertility in men

Conjunctivitis caused by chlamydia (trachoma), on the other hand, is noticeable through reddened and itchy eyes, from which a slimy-purulent discharge can escape. This should not be underestimated either, since without treatment it can lead to corneal opacity and ultimately blindness.

How contagious is chlamydial infection?

Depending on the type of chlamydia, there are different forms of transmission of an infection.

The sexually transmitted form called Chlamydia trachomatis of subgroups D-K and L1-L3 is transmitted through the mucous membrane during sex. Thus, with any unprotected sexual contact with a sick person, there is a very high risk of transmission. This also applies to oral sex.

If the immune system is already weak due to another infection such as HIV or a tumor, the risk of transmission increases.

Chlamydophila psittaci, on the other hand, is transmitted via bird droppings or the feather dust of birds. All people with frequent contact with birds such as animal keepers or people with a weakened immune system are particularly at risk.

Chlamydophila pneumoniae is infected by air and depends on whether you are in the vicinity of a sick person.

Causes of Chlamydial Infection in Men

An infection with chlamydia can be contracted through different transmission routes, depending on the pathogen.

The pathogens Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia psittaci are transmitted through the air we breathe, i.e. through the inhalation of small, infectious particles.
This then leads to a respiratory infection such as B. pneumonia.

Chlamydia trachomatis, on the other hand, is mainly transmitted sexually during sexual intercourse and leads to infections in the urogenital area such as inflammation of the testicles (orchitis), inflammation of the epididymis (epidydimitis) or inflammation of the urethra.

Unprotected sexual intercourse and frequently changing partners pose a high risk of transmission.

In addition, the pathogen can also be absorbed through the oral mucosa and thus also be transmitted during oral sex.

The subgroup A-C of Chlamydia trachomatis, which is noticeable in the eye and leads to conjunctivitis (trachoma), is transmitted by a fly.

The subgroup D-K is transmitted oculogenitally (from the genital area to the eye) in addition to sexual transmission. This means that you can get infected from contaminated water in a swimming pool, for example.

Which doctor treats chlamydial infection?

Which doctor should treat chlamydial infection depends on where the infection is located.

In principle, the family doctor can always be visited first, who, if necessary, will refer to the appropriate specialist. In the event of infections in the genitourinary tract, a urologist should be consulted.

If, on the other hand, it is conjunctivitis (paratrachoma), a dermatologist can be visited. In the case of pneumonia, however, a pulmonologist (pulmonologist) can be consulted.

Treatment of a chlamydial infection

Because chlamydia is bacteria, an infection is treated with an antibiotic.

For treatment, doxycycline is often used for 10-21 days. As an alternative, macrolides such as erythromycin, clarithromycin or azithromycin or quinolones such as. B. ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin can be used.

The exact dosage and duration of taking the antibiotic will depend on the type of infection and should be determined by the doctor. In the case of severe urogenital infections, it is advisable to keep bed rest.

You should also drink a lot. Kidney and bladder teas are particularly suitable for this purpose. B. bearberry, grouse root or birch leaves.

Please also read the following article: Indian kidney and bladder tea

In the case of inflammation of the testicles or epididymis, it can also help to put the testicles up on a rolled up towel or to cool them with cold, damp compresses. If you are infected with sexually transmitted chlamydia, you should also refrain from sexual activity.

Duration and prognosis of a chlamydial infection

Chlamydia infection can usually be managed well with antibiotics.

After the start of therapy, depending on the length of the antibiotic intake, it takes about 10-21 days until the therapy is completed.

By then, at the latest, all complaints should be gone. They usually go away gradually, even within the first few days after taking antibiotics.

However, it is important that treatment is started as soon as possible, since without treatment serious consequences such as infertility in the case of a urogenital infection or blindness in the case of conjunctivitis (trachoma) can occur.

In late-stage lymphogranuloma venereum, the swelling of the tissue may persist despite treatment with antibiotics. Swelling of the lymph nodes can then also be drained with a needle or surgically. The fluid is drained out of the body through a needle.

Consequences of a chlamydial infection

The consequences of a chlamydial infection can be very severe without treatment or from being treated too late.

Conjunctivitis caused by chlamydia (trachoma) can cloud the cornea and ultimately lead to blindness.

A genitourinary infection can lead to severe infections of the urethra, testicles (inflammation of the testicles), or inflammation of the rectum (proctitis). Proctitis is noticeable, among other things, by bloody purulent discharge from the anus and fecal incontinence. Here, too, therapy should be started as soon as possible, otherwise the inflammation can become chronic.

The rectum is a part of the rectum. Therefore, also read our article: Inflammation of the rectum

A urogenital infection, on the other hand, can lead to infertility.

Lymphogranuloma venereum causes swelling of the lymph nodes and can persist in late stages even with treatment with antibiotics. In the case of a chlamydial infection, it is therefore important to consult a doctor at an early stage in order to begin treatment and avert the consequences.