Chlamydia Recurrence: Understanding Risks, Preventive Measures, and Further Details
Chlamydia, a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), is the most frequently reported bacterial infectious disease in the United States. This infection can affect various areas of the body, including the vagina, penis, anus, and eyes, and is characterized by symptoms such as unusual vaginal discharge, pain or burning when urinating, discharge from the penis, testicular swelling and pain, rectal bleeding, pain, or discharge, itchy, red, and swollen eyes [1].
Reinfection during treatment is a concern for individuals diagnosed with chlamydia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a test of cure 4 weeks after treatment for some individuals, and a retest about 3 months following initial treatment, regardless of whether a partner has also received treatment [2].
The primary causes of chlamydia reinfection during treatment include inadequate treatment of sexual partners, incomplete or improper antibiotic therapy, and continued sexual exposure to infected partners during or immediately after treatment [1]. Other contributing factors are failure to abstain from sex until both the patient and their partners have completed treatment, and lack of condom use during sex, which increases the risk of reinfection [3][4].
To avoid reinfection, it's essential to let partners know about the chlamydia infection, ensure that all sexual partners either have a negative chlamydia test or have received treatment, and use condoms every time during sex [5]. Additionally, washing sex toys thoroughly after every use can prevent the spread of the infection [6].
Pregnant individuals, those who may not have adhered to the treatment, those whose symptoms persist, and those who suspect reinfection should consider a test of cure [7]. It's important to note that chlamydia does not survive for long outside the human body, so a person is highly unlikely to reacquire chlamydia via their sex toy [8]. However, a person can reacquire a chlamydia infection during or after treatment if they have sex without a barrier method with a partner who has not received treatment [9].
Other common reasons for reinfection include having sex without using a barrier method with a new partner who has an active chlamydia infection, not finishing an antibiotic treatment plan, and using an unclean sex toy that someone else with the infection has used [10]. A test of cure and retesting are not the same; a test of cure is used to check if the initial infection has cleared [11].
By reducing the number of sexual partners, taking all medications as a doctor has prescribed, referring a partner for chlamydia testing and any necessary treatment, washing any sex toys after use, and using condoms when engaging in sexual contact, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of chlamydia reinfection [5].
References:
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Chlamydia Reinfection. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-reinfection.htm
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Chlamydia - Test of Cure. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/treatment/test-of-cure.htm
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Chlamydia - Prevent Reinfection. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-reinfection.htm
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Chlamydia - Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/treatment.htm
[5] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Chlamydia - Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/prevention.htm
[6] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Chlamydia - Sex Toys. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-sex-toys.htm
[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Chlamydia - Test of Cure. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/treatment/test-of-cure.htm
[8] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Chlamydia - Sex Toys. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-sex-toys.htm
[9] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Chlamydia - Reinfection. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-reinfection.htm
[10] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Chlamydia - Reinfection. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-reinfection.htm
[11] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Chlamydia - Test of Cure. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/treatment/test-of-cure.htm
- Ensuring proper sexual health requires regular testing, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a retest about three months following initial treatment for chlamydia, a common sexually transmitted infection, to reduce the risk of reinfection.
- Engaging in science-based health-and-wellness practices, such as using condoms and ensuring sexual partners receive treatment, can significantly decrease the likelihood of chlamydia reinfection, as failing to do so increases the risk of ongoing infection.
