Flagyl is a potent antibiotic that cures bacterial infections. Flagyl is also known as metronidazole; the medication comes in different forms.
The forms include a tablet to be swallowed, a vaginal gel, a suppository, and an oral suspension. Metronidazole is prescribed to treat a range of bacterial infections and has proven to be highly effective in administration.
Flagyl treats some conditions, including bacterial infections in the stomach, liver, spinal cord, and joints.
Furthermore, this medication is recommended for bacterial infections in the heart, bloodstream, lungs, and brain. Does Flagyl treat chlamydia?
This article discusses Flagyl and chlamydia. Read on to learn about the efficacy of Flagyl against sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia.
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia infection is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is typically asymptomatic. This means the infection doesn’t always cause symptoms in the early stages, even when present. About 40 to 96% of people with chlamydia have no symptoms.
Notwithstanding its asymptomatic nature, chlamydia can cause severe and irreparable damage to the body if left untreated. This is why doctors advise regular chlamydia screenings for sexually active people.
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How is chlamydia transmitted?
One of the most common ways chlamydia is transmitted is through sex without a condom or protective barrier. Chlamydia can be transmitted through oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
The infectious bacteria is transmitted when there is contact between an infected genital and their sex partners. Penetration is not required for infection.
In addition, chlamydial infection can occur in the eyes and mouth. This happens when sexual fluid from an infected person makes contact with the eyes or the mouth during oral sex.
Babies can also contract chlamydia from their infected mothers at birth. This is why pregnant women are advised to get screened regularly for the safety of their babies.
What are the symptoms of chlamydial infections?
Chlamydia is a pretty common infection. The CDC reports chlamydia as the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the US.
Chlamydia is quickly passed from an infected person to others during sexual activities because most people are not aware they have the infection.
Chlamydia is largely asymptomatic. This means that the infection usually presents little to no symptoms.
In some cases, chlamydia may cause the infected person to experience some symptoms. These symptoms include the following.
- A burning sensation during urination
- Unusual discharge from the vagina or penis
- Pain during urination
The symptoms of chlamydial infections may differ for men and women due to physiological differences.
Men rarely experience symptoms of chlamydia. However, in rare cases, the symptoms include the following.
- Yellow or green penile discharge
- Lower abdomen pain
- Pain in the testicles
- Burning sensation when urinating
Men can also get chlamydial infections in the anus.
You can also get a chlamydial infection from having oral sex with an infected person. This raises the risk of getting chlamydia in the throat. The tell-tale signs of this infection include sore throat, cough, or fever.
Chlamydia symptoms in women are pretty much different from the symptoms in men.
For women, it might take several weeks for symptoms to appear after infection. These symptoms include the following:
- Unusual vagina discharge
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Lower abdominal pain
- Inflammation of the cervix
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Bleeding between menstruation periods
Untreated chlamydia in women can cause further complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Does Flagyl Treat Chlamydia?
Flagyl is a brand name for metronidazole. This medication is an antibiotic that effectively treats bacterial infections. Metronidazole is an antiprotozoal medication used to treat infections caused by bacteria, such as endocarditis, bacterial vaginosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease.
Even though Flagyl is a potent antibiotic that kills bacteria by stopping their growth and reproduction at the site of the infection, it is not an appropriate treatment for chlamydia. Flagyl does not cure chlamydia.
Metronidazole works by stopping the growth and reproduction of bacteria, eliminating infections like bacterial vaginosis. Flagyl is not effective against yeast infections and viral infections like genital herpes.
In some cases, doctors may prescribe a metronidazole treatment if chlamydial symptoms persist after completing a first-line medication course.
Some first-line STD treatment options for chlamydia include azithromycin, levofloxacin, and doxycycline.
Doctors who prescribe Flagyl as a follow-up to a first-line treatment course usually combine other antibiotics, such as erythromycin. This ensures treatment for possible other bacterial conditions with similar symptoms to chlamydia.
Speaking to your doctor before starting any course of antibiotics is crucial for your safety. Flagyl is a relatively safe drug with mild adverse reactions.
Some side effects include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headaches, and a metallic taste in the mouth. In rare cases, this medication may trigger a seizure, or allergies may occur.
How to prevent chlamydial infections
Chlamydia is an STD that is spread through sexual fluids like vaginal fluids, semen, and pre-cum.
This means that the surefire way to prevent getting chlamydia is to stay away from sex, including oral, anal, and vaginal sex.
However, sexually active people can consider using condoms or a protective barrier to hinder contact with an infected person’s sexual fluids.
Condoms and dental dams can significantly reduce the risk factors of getting an infection during sexual activities. In addition, it is crucial to get screened for STDs regularly.
Suppose you get tested and find out you have chlamydia. There is no reason to panic because chlamydia is easily curable.
There are some steps to ensure you don’t spread the infection to your partner and others.
Make your current and past sexual partners aware so they can get tested and treated.
Avoid having sex for seven days after you start your treatment.
Encourage your sexual partner to avoid sex with anyone until they’re treated and cured of the infection.
What are the first-line treatments for chlamydia?
Chlamydia is one of the common STDs that can be completely cured with antibiotics. Suppose you find out you have chlamydia.
Your doctor will prescribe a first-line antibiotic treatment to eliminate the infection. 95% of people with chlamydia will be cured if they correctly use their antibiotics as prescribed.
Doctors typically prescribe doxycycline and azithromycin to cure chlamydia. These medications are the most commonly recommended to combat this infection. Levofloxacin can also be prescribed to treat a chlamydial infection.
Your doctor may recommend taking doxycycline once daily for seven days. Your doctor may recommend one dose of 1g of azithromycin, followed by 500mg once daily for two days.
For pregnant or breastfeeding women, a healthcare professional may prescribe erythromycin or amoxicillin.
Furthermore, healthcare experts may prescribe a longer course of antibiotics if they’re concerned about severe complications of chlamydia.
What happens when chlamydia is untreated?
Chlamydia is typically asymptomatic. This means the infection doesn’t always show symptoms, so people can have it and be unaware.
Chlamydia can cause severe damage if it is left untreated for a long time. Untreated chlamydia can spread to the reproductive organs and cause irreparable damage.
Untreated chlamydia can lead to PID, which can cause irreversible damage to the uterus and fallopian tubes.
In addition, PID can cause ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and abdominal pain. This is why regular testing for chlamydia is advised.
For men, untreated chlamydia can spread to the epididymis and cause severe joint pain. The epididymis is the tube that moves sperm from the testicles to the penis.
Chlamydia can also heighten the chances of contracting other STDs like human papillomavirus and HIV infections.
When to see a doctor
Suppose you suspect you’re experiencing symptoms of chlamydia or if you have engaged in sexual activities with an infected person. You must contact your doctor immediately.
Your medical expert will collect a sample from you to be tested for chlamydia. This is crucial because chlamydia rarely causes symptoms, even when it is present in the body.
Women are less likely to experience symptoms. Regular testing is recommended for sexually active women.
If your result confirms that you have chlamydia, your healthcare expert will likely put you on an antibiotic course to eliminate the infection. The most commonly recommended medications for chlamydia are doxycycline and azithromycin.
Read also: How To Use Flagyl For Vaginal Infection
Frequently Asked Questions
Flagyl is a strong antibiotic, but it is not a first-line treatment for chlamydia. Does Flagyl treat chlamydia? Metronidazole does not cure chlamydia.
Sometimes, doctors recommend Flagyl as a follow-up to a first-line antibiotic treatment like doxycycline and azithromycin.
Healthcare professionals prescribing Flagyl as a follow-up to a first-line treatment course usually combine other antibiotics, such as erythromycin. This ensures treatment for possible other bacterial conditions with similar symptoms to chlamydia. Flagyl is effective in treating bacterial vaginosis.
The bacteria Chlamydia Trachomatis causes chlamydia and can be easily cured with a course of antibiotic medications. Doctors typically prescribe doxycycline and azithromycin to treat chlamydia.
These medications are the most commonly recommended to combat this infection. Levofloxacin can also be prescribed to treat a chlamydial infection.
Metronidazole has relatively mild side effects, even though it is a potent antibiotic. Some of the common adverse effects of Flagyl include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, a metallic taste in the mouth, constipation, and abdominal pain.
These side effects are typically mild. Report to your doctor if they persist or last longer than 24 hours. Flagyl can also make your urine darker in color.
