Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease worldwide. However, despite being so common it is little known, because many people living with it often have no symptoms. A condition that, even without showing signs, can cause problems in conceiving and having a baby.
The disease is 3 times more common in women than in men. According to estimates by the Pan American Health Organization, more than 128 million people worldwide are living with Chlamydia, with the female population being much more affected.
Currently, the only way to prevent the disease is through the use of condoms. Recently, however, a group of scientists made a major breakthrough in designing the first vaccine against Chlamydia.
The finding of the BD584 antigen could serve as an alternative for the prevention of this disease. According to the study published in the medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases the vaccine developed by British and Danish scientists was shown to be safe.
"Our initial tests show that the antigen prevents the bacteria from entering the body's cells. This means we have come much closer to a possible vaccine against chlamydia"
Extract from: "Safety and immunogenicity of the chlamydia vaccine candidate CTH522 adjuvanted with CAF01 liposomes or aluminium hydroxide: a first-in-human, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1 trial"
This is the first clinical trial for a chlamydia vaccine and represents the latest development in 15 years of research, according to the journal.
"The next step is to take the vaccine to further trials, but until that is done, we won't know whether or not it is really effective," states the research statement in the journal Imperial College.
Professor Robin Shattock - Head of Mucosal Infection and Immunity within the Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College.
This disease is known as the silent disease. Seventy-five per cent of women infected with this bacterium have no symptoms.
Chlamydia is transmitted during unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse. It can also be found in the throat of women and men who have had oral sex with an infected partner.
Anyone who is sexually active can become infected with Chlamydia. However, the risk of infection increases with a higher number of sexual partners.
If symptoms are present, they may appear one to three weeks after infection as follows:
It is important to note that Chlamydia can also be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth, which is why women who have had this infection may opt for a caesarean section.
If left untreated, Chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, the possibility of infertility problems and even ectopic pregnancies (pregnancies outside the uterus).
Women infected with Chlamydia should abstain from sex until they and their partner have been treated.
Otherwise, they are at high risk of becoming reinfected and experiencing serious reproductive health complications. To make sure that the treatment of Chlamydia has been effective, it is recommended to have a follow-up check-up with a reproductive health specialist.
If the reproductive organs are damaged (mainly the fallopian tubes), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the Assisted Reproduction treatment that currently offers the best chance of achieving a baby.
Thanks to In Vitro Fertilization, eggs can be extracted, fertilized and the embryos with the greatest implantation capacity can be placed in the uterine cavity.
This is despite the deterioration caused by the bacterium Chlamydia Trachomatis, which often disrupts the transport of the gametes (egg and sperm), and hinders the transfer of the fertilized egg to the uterus.
Chlamydia is a disease that can be prevented, treated if present, and is not an impediment to having a baby. However, it is important to treat the infection before starting an IVF cycle.
If you have this disease and you want to have a baby, but you haven't achieved it yet, we can help you. Come here and tell us more about yourself, together we will find the best way for you to live your motherhood as you imagine it.
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