Chlamydia – Infection, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Chlamydia Information – Possible Causes of Chlamydial Infection

What are the symptoms of chlamydial infection? Unfortunately, only 20 percent of those infected with chlamydia will
actually have symptoms.

In males, the symptoms may include low back pain or frequent or painful urination. Unfortunately, those symptoms
could also be indicative of other health concerns besides chlamydial infection so the only sure symptom for males
is a urethral discharge that is clear and watery.

Very few females exhibit symptoms at all but a vaginal discharge
that is white in color and the texture of cottage cheese should be a warning sign. Although that sometimes can
indicate a yeast infection, too. Painful intercourse should be considered a sign of this or some other type of STD.
Whenever there is any concern it is always wise to immediately get your symptoms checked out by a doctor.

Because symptoms are so often absent in cases of chlaymdial infection, please monitor any changes in your sexual
areas very closely, however subtle.

What Chlamydia is, How it is Spread? How to Prevent Chlamydial Infections?

In a woman, Chlamydia infections can occur in the urethra, cervix and/or reproductive organs. In men, the infection
occurs in the urethra. Chlamydia is caused by bacteria. This bacteria can also infect the rectum as well as the conjunctiva
in the eyes.

Chlamydia is actually the most common STD in the US right now and is contracted through sexual contact.
As far as western science is concerned, Chlamydia must be treated with antibiotics. However, historically, there
have been natural remedies that have proven useful to the body combating a chlamydial infection and these will
be covered as well in this holistic health newsletter.

What Can Cause a Chlamydial Infection?

Like a lot of bacteria and viruses, the culprit that causes Chlamydia is
complicated – the official name is bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The abrupt answer is that chlamydia is contracted
through sexual intercourse. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and is spread by vaginal, anal and
sometimes oral sex with an infected person.

Since Chlamydia often produces no symptoms in females, pregnant women need to be especially careful about getting
infected because a pregnant woman with a Chlamydial infection can also spread the infection to her newborn during
a vaginal delivery.

Chlamydia can be spread from person to person whether or not symptoms are present. The risk of
contracting chlamydia is increased when a person has multiple sexual partners, having sex with a high-risk partner
(someone who has sex with multiple partners), engaging in unprotected sex and being sexually active before age
18.

Possible Lifestyle Changes for Chlamydia

The best way to prevent Chlamydia, or any other STD, is to practice safe
sex. Abstain from sexual contact, talk to any prospective sexual partner about his/her sexual history and the possibly
of infection, avoid sexual contact whenever an STD is suspected, and always use a condom until the threat of STD
exposure is eliminated. Anyone with Chlamydia must see a doctor for antibiotic treatment and abstain from sexual
activity until the full course of antibiotics has been completed.

Beneficial Dietary Supplements for helping the body fight viruses and bacteria, which may also help speed recovery
from chlamydia:

• Garlic acts
  as a natural antibiotic and aids healing.
• Kelp is
  a rich source of minerals.
• Vitamin B Complex is needed for proper functioning of the liver and gastrointestinal tract.
• Vitamin Caids
  healing. Use a buffered form.
• Vitamin E protects
  red blood cells and enhances the immune system.
• Acidophilis replenishes
  friendly bacteria destroyed by antibiotics.
• Co Enzyme Q10 aids in healing and stimulates the immune system.
• Astragalus aids in healing.
• Echinacea and
  Goldenseal work well together to help heal.
• Pau d’Arco aids healing
• Red Clover aids
  in healing.

References: Prescription for Nutritional Healing – Ames F. Balch, M.D.

What Exactly is Safe Sex?

I remember a scene from one of the Naked Gun movies where Leslie Nielson and Pricilla Presley are getting ready
to have “safe sex” for the first time. They both walk out in full body condoms. Funny. But STD’s are nothing
to take lightly.

Without getting too graphic, the safest sex occurs when you do not exchange body fluids such as blood or semen or
vaginal fluids from one body to the other, via the mouth or the sexual organs. Using a condom is one thing. Avoiding
fluid exchange entirely requires more attention.

You should abstain from oral contact if you have a fever blister or cold sore, mouth sores or bleeding gums.