Chlamydia in pregnancy: symptoms

Causes and symptoms of chlamydia infection

Chlamydia, also known as chlamydia trachomatis, is a bacteria that is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse. Statistically, an infection with chlamydia can be detected in 5 to 10 percent of all adults. A distinction is made between acute and chronic infection.

• In the case of an acute chlamydial infection , the pathogens can be detected directly at the vaginal entrance or cervix, either through a urine sample or a swab from the gynaecologist. In 80 percent of the cases there are no symptoms. If it does, the first symptoms appear 5 to 21 days after infection in the form of yellowish discharge, itching and pain when urinating.
• With a chronic chlamydial infection , pathogens climb through the cervix into the uterus and from there spread to other organs. About 15 to 20 percent of all infected people are affected. In some cases, the infection becomes noticeable through light bleeding between periods, pain in the lower abdomen and fever, since the tissue of the uterus, fallopian tubes and membranes react with inflammation.

Complications of chlamydia in pregnancy

However, an untreated infection with chlamydia can lead to inflammation of the uterus and also spread to other organs. If the membranes and fallopian tubes are attacked, the inflamed tissue will scar as it heals and can possibly lead to infertility . In an estimated 100,000 women in Germany, the unfulfilled desire to have children can be traced back to a chlamydia infection. In addition, the scarred tissue promotes ectopic pregnancies, in which the ovaries can be severely damaged.

During pregnancy there is a slightly increased risk of premature labor and premature rupture of membranes . Unfortunately, it is not yet fully understood why chlamydia can show this effect. A chlamydia infection towards the end of pregnancy is particularly critical, because in 60 to 70 percent of cases the children are infected at birth. The pathogens can cause severe lung and eye infections.

For the safety of the child, you will be tested for chlamydia during prenatal care . If detected early, the disease can be easily treated.

Preventing and treating chlamydia in pregnancy

It is important that an infection in the mother is treated before birth in order to rule out an infection in the child. A special examination in early pregnancy is therefore planned as part of the maternity guidelines. Your morning urine is tested for the pathogens. In addition, you can request a smear test in which any pathogens in the cervix can be detected. The earlier a chlamydia infection is discovered and treated, the lower the risk for mother and child, because the further spread of the bacteria is stopped at an early stage.

If the result is positive, antibiotic therapy adapted to the pregnancy is initiated. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the infection, but is usually between 10 and 20 days. Under no circumstances should you stop the treatment prematurely, otherwise the bacteria cannot be completely killed.

In the case of a chlamydia infection, your partner must also be treated with antibiotics. You should refrain from sexual intercourse during this time to prevent reinfection.