Chlamydia trachomatis urethritis symptoms

Chlamydia trachomatis urethritis is medically known as Chlamydia urinary tract infection, and Chlamydia trachomatis infection is an important factor of sexual transmission. Chlamydia trachomatis urethritis occurs mainly in sexually active young people. Because it is contagious, we must know the symptoms of this disease and seek timely treatment after discovery to avoid cross infection. So, what are the symptoms of Chlamydia trachomatis urethritis?

Causes

1. Host factors

Abnormal urinary tract structure and function, retrograde urethral operation, decreased immunity, pregnancy and genetic factors are all risk factors for infection.

2. Pathogens

Chlamydia can pass through filters, are strictly intracellular parasites, are sensitive to heat and resistant to low temperatures. Chlamydia trachomatis can cause urogenital tract infection. It is divided into 3 biological variants and 19 serotypes. Among them, serotypes D to K can cause urogenital system inflammation, as well as Reiter's syndrome, which is a triad of polyarthritis, conjunctivitis and urethritis. Its pathogenic mechanism is related to the inhibition of infected cell metabolism, lysis and destruction of cells, cytotoxic effects of metabolites, and induction of hypersensitivity reactions and autoimmune reactions.

3. Transmission routes

The sources of Chlamydia urinary tract infection are latent carriers and patients. It is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse. Promiscuous sex, early sexual activity and unclean sexual intercourse are particularly prone to infection. Vertical transmission between mother and child can occur through intrauterine, birth canal, and postpartum period.

Clinical manifestations

The incubation period of Chlamydia urinary tract infection ranges from several days to several months, usually 1 to 3 weeks. Most patients have mild symptoms, and 50% to 70% of patients have no clinical manifestations. More than half of the patients may be infected with other pathogens such as mycoplasma, Candida, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

1. Male patients

Male patients usually present with perineal discomfort, urethral itching, stinging or burning sensation, accompanied by frequent urination, urgency and pain. Some patients have redness and swelling of the urethral opening and serous or mucopurulent secretions from the urethra. There may be a crust at the urethral opening in the morning or when they do not urinate for a long time. Some patients may also suffer from complications such as prostatitis, epididymitis, orchitis and Reiter's syndrome.

2. Female patients

Urethritis in female patients is often asymptomatic or has mild symptoms. 50% of patients experience frequent urination, discomfort during urination, very mild or no pain during urination, and a small amount of serous secretions may overflow due to compression of the urethra. The most obvious genital tract inflammation is mucopurulent cervicitis, which is often accompanied by vestibular glanditis, vaginitis, vulvar itching and lower abdominal discomfort. If the treatment is not timely and thorough, it may be complicated by endometritis, salpingitis and pelvic inflammatory disease, leading to ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and infertility.