How long after taking azithromycin does chlamydia go away

Over 2.9 million people get infected with Chlamydia each year and it has become the most widespread sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the world. A characteristic of chlamydia is that it can be asymptomatic. It simply means that chlamydia does not show any symptoms at all, but it is already damaging your internal organs. It can have debilitating effects when left untreated and can lead to infertility.

What is Chlamydia?

Even if chlamydia is a very prevalent STD, it is very easy to treat and cure. When left untreated it can lead to painful consequences and serious health complications like pelvic pain, testicular pain in men, and infertility in both men and women. The condition is caused by a bacteria known as Chlamydia trachomatis. Many people with the disease do not often get any apparent signs and symptoms that they are already infected.

Chlamydia can exist inside the uterus or woman’s womb, cervix, vagina, urethra, rectum, and even at times the eyes and throat of the infected patient. Anyone who is sexually active can have the disease and pass it on easily, even if they do not have a lot of sexual partners.

What causes Chlamydia?

The Chlamydia infection is often caused by bacteria that can be obtained through various sexual activities. The three most common types of Chlamydia bacteria are Chlamydia Suis, Chlamydia Muridarum, and Chlamydia Trachomatis. Chlamydia Suis is the most common of all the species of chlamydia. These bacteria types are unable to exist without their host, so it is very convenient for them to shift from one body to another via the exchange of bodily fluids. There are also transmissions that occur through childbirth as the bacteria passes through the birth canal from the mother to the infant.

What are symptoms of Chlamydia?

Chlamydia can be tough to detect. Oftentimes, the person infected has no idea that they are already infected. The symptoms of Chlamydia can vary depending on the gender of the person infected by the bacteria. In men, they can experience abnormal discharges from their penis accompanied by a really hot or burning sensation when urinating. For women, they can experience abnormal vaginal discharges and a burning sensation when urinating, as well as abdominal pains, and bleeding.

A huge amount of the population are unaware that are already infected with Chlamydia, and so they often leave the disease untreated. When it is left untreated, inflammation around the testicles among men can happen. For females, the inflammation of the female pelvis can lead to infertility.

What are the treatments for Chlamydia?

Treating Chlamydia is something that a person should prioritize and not take for granted. It can lead to other serious medical conditions and these can pose health hazards to themselves and their loved ones. Always treat a Chlamydia infection as early as possible. Antibiotics are used in the treatment of Chlamydia, including Azithromycin, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, Ciprofloxacin and Tetracycline.

Although Chlamydia infection is highly curable, it is still best to avoid catching an infection. Preventing infection can be achieved through complete abstinence from sexual activities of any form. Otherwise, condoms can be used for protection. However, for those who are already infected with Chlamydia, it is highly recommended to seek medical assistance. For those who are sexually active, regular screening for STD is strongly recommended.

Azithromycin is prescribed for 7 to 10 days to treat for Chlamydia infection.

How should I take Azithromycin?

Take Azithromycin as prescribed by your doctor. Take the Azithromycin pills with a glass of water and with meals. Taking the antibiotic with meals prevents upset stomach and vomiting, and the medicine will be easily absorbed by the body. Take it as often as prescribed by your physician. Never take antacids like Maalox, Rolaids, or Tums two hour before or after the taking pills.

Never give out Azithromycin to other people. They may be taking other medicines which have an adverse reaction to the Azithromycin.

What are the side effects of Azithromycin?

Like any other Chlamydia medicine, Azithromycin has its own side effects, but not everyone experiences them. The possible side effects of Azithromycin can include vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, upset stomach, and vaginal yeast infection.

Always consult your doctor before taking Azithromycin to cure a Chlamydia infection.

Chlamydia Treatment and Care

Chlamydia is easily cured but can make pregnancy difficult if left untreated.

What is the treatment for chlamydia?

Chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics. HIV-positive persons with chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV-negative.

Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sexual activity for 7 days after single dose antibiotics or until completion of a 7-day course of antibiotics, to prevent spreading the infection to partners. It is important to take all of the medication prescribed to cure chlamydia. Medication for chlamydia should not be shared with anyone. Although medication will stop the infection, it will not repair any permanent damage done by the disease. If a person’s symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment, he or she should return to a health care provider to be reevaluated.

Repeat infection with chlamydia is common. Women whose sex partners have not been appropriately treated are at high risk for re-infection. Having multiple chlamydial infections increases a woman’s risk of serious reproductive health complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy. Women and men with chlamydia should be retested about three months after treatment of an initial infection, regardless of whether they believe that their sex partners were successfully treated.

Infants infected with chlamydia may develop ophthalmia neonatorum (conjunctivitis) and/or pneumonia. Chlamydial infection in infants can be treated with antibiotics.

Treatment Guidelines and Updates

  • 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines – Chlamydial Infections – Includes diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and special considerations. Includes updated treatment and screening recommendations. (July 22, 2021)

Resources for Clinicians

    • Chlamydia Self-Study Moduleexternal icon – An online learning experience that helps users learn how to manage chlamydia. Free CME/CNE available. (November 1, 2017)
    • Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT)

Can I still have chlamydia after taking azithromycin?

Azithromycin works to treat genital chlamydia in both men and women by stopping the bacteria from multiplying. Studies suggest that a one-gram dosage has 97% efficacy. That means that for every 100 people who take azithromycin to treat chlamydia, 97 will be cured and three will not be cured.

How do I know if chlamydia is gone?

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection (like strep throat or an ear infection), which means that once you've been treated and tested negative for it (to make sure the antibiotics worked), it's gone.

Is 500mg of azithromycin enough to cure chlamydia?

The two most commonly prescribed antibiotics for chlamydia are: doxycycline – taken every day for a week. azithromycin – one dose of 1g, followed by 500mg once a day for 2 days.

How long does it take for chlamydia symptoms to go away after antibiotic?

With treatment, chlamydia should go away within a week or two. It's important to take all antibiotics to fight the infection. Don't have sex during treatment, or you could get reinfected.