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Exposing Chlamydia
Chlamydia is an infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It's one of the most widespread of all sexually transmitted diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal or anal sex when one partner is infected. It can also be passed on to the eye by a hand moistened with infected secretions, and to a newborn from an infected mother during delivery. It's possible, but rare, to pass chlamydia to the throat through an act of oral sex with an infected man.
Symptoms usually show up one to three weeks after infection, if they appear at all. According to the American Social Health Association (ASHA), men are much more likely to have symptoms than women.
If a man does have symptoms, it's usually a burning sensation when urinating, especially the first time in the morning, and a discharge from the penis. The most common symptom for women is increased vaginal discharge; less common are painful urination, unusual vaginal bleeding, bleeding after sex, and lower abdominal pain.
According to ASHA, unchecked and untreated chlamydia can lead to many problems. In men, the epididymis -- the region of the male genitals where sperm mature -- can become infected. Women can get pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of the upper genital tract that can lead to scarring of the fallopian tubes. The scarring can increase a woman's risk of ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility.
If you're sexually active, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that you get tested for chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases once a year. If you test positive for chlamydia, you can be treated very simply and quickly with oral medication. You should also let your sexual partners know so they can get treatment, too.
If you remain sexually active, here are a few simple things you can do to minimize your risk of getting chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs):
World Health Organisation Declares Pakistan Trachoma-free
ISLAMABAD: In a monumental achievement for public health in the country, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has validated the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Pakistan.
Trachoma is a disease caused by infection by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium and can result in irreversible blindness if left untreated.
"Pakistan has become the 19th country globally to reach this historic milestone. Its success in doing so underscores the government of Pakistan's political commitment to public health, the value of WHO technical support and the incredible contributions of health professionals, civil society and partners like Sightsavers, Christian Blind Mission and the Fred Hollows Foundation. The achievement is significant in the global fight against preventable diseases and their elimination," a statement issued by WHO said.
In 1997, Pakistan was the first country to be certified free of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) transmission. The elimination of trachoma as a public health problem adds to this legacy. This latest success is not the end but a precursor to more milestone achievements along the road.
PM vows to eradicate polio, hepatitis too after elimination of trachoma
Speaking at a function arranged to mark the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed to eradicate diseases like polio and hepatitis from Pakistan after the country has successfully managed to eliminate trachoma.
"Today marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards a healthier Pakistan. Together with our partners, we not only celebrate this achievement but reaffirm our unwavering commitment to effectively control and eliminate diseases impeding our socioeconomic development by placing quality health care within the reach of everyone in Pakistan," the prime minister said.
At the function, WHO Head of Mission in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng presented a trachoma-free Pakistan certificate to the PM.
The prime minister said that the certificate symbolised the dedication of the health ministry and other stakeholders in the effort to eliminate the disease.
"As we have made Pakistan a trachoma-free country, we are also committed to eradicating polio and hepatitis as well," he added.
"The elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Pakistan is a monumental achievement for the country and for the global fight against the disease," said Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, while speaking at the function.
WHO's Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy highlighted the significance of the achievement and said: "Congratulations to Pakistan on the elimination of trachoma! Now Pakistan has eliminated two neglected tropical diseases, demonstrating the country's dedication to public health and serving as an inspiration to all."
"This is a remarkable achievement which will save thousands of people from preventable visual impairment or blindness," said WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng.
Pakistan's success highlights the effectiveness of the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy for eliminating trachoma, which includes surgery for trichiasis, antibiotics to clear infection, and facial cleanliness and environmental improvement to reduce transmission.
Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2024
Study Finds A Pair Of Common Surgeries Equally Effective For Treating Blinding Condition Of The Eyelid
The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, supports no change to surgical technique for trichiasis management.
On a normal eyelid (left), eyelashes are turned outward away from the cornea. Eyelids affected by trichiasis (center) have eyelashes touching the eye. Surgery for eyelids affected by trichiasis (right), rotates the eyelash away from the cornea, returning them to their normal anatomic position. (Image credit: National Eye Institute)
A large comparison trial funded by the National Institutes of Health has count that trachomatous trichiasis, a potentially blinding condition where inward-turned eyelashes scratch the front of the eye, can successfully be treated by either of the 2 most common types of eyelid surgery.
Amid earlier, smaller studies, which offered that one of the commonly used surgery types had poorer outcomes, this study provides reassurance that either technique can treat the condition. The study (NCT03100747), published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, was supported by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of NIH.
"Some studies have reported post-operative trichiasis rates of 30% or higher for patients with trachomatous trichiasis following surgery, and repeat surgeries are more difficult," said Emily Gower, PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "This trial sought to determine if we could decrease the risk of post-operative trichiasis by modifying the surgical procedure. We found that existing approaches result in better outcomes."
According to the study, trachomatous trichiasis affects approximately 1.7 million people worldwide, mostly in poor and rural areas of Africa. The condition arises after repeated or chronic eye infections with the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, which is spread by person-to-person contact. The researchers pointed out that trachoma is more common in hot, dry areas of the world, and repeat infections can eventually lead to scarring and malformation of the eyelid. The issue can cause the edge of the eyelid to draw inward. When this happens, the eyelashes scratch the eye. If the condition goes without medical attention, trichiasis can result in corneal clouding, and eventually blindness.1
According to the researchers one effective option for treating for trichiasis is surgery to correct the inward turn of the eyelid. This usually is performed in 1 of 2 different surgical options. A few smaller studies indicated that 1 of the surgery methods, posterior lamellar tarsal rotation (PLTR), could prove to be more effective, so some programs in Africa began retraining surgeons there to be proficient in performing that option.
An earlier review of eyelids that were surgicaly corrected with bilamellar tarsal rotation (BLTR), suggested that placing the surgical incision slightly further from the edge of the eyelid (5 millimeters above the lid margin instead of 3 mm) might lead to fewer recurrences. However, the researchers noted that this change had not been tested. The current study directly compared these three surgery approaches and evaluated the risk of post-operative trichiasis.
The researchers noted the study, which took place in southern Ethiopia, enrolled 4914 patients with trichiasis in one or both eyes (6940 eligible eyes). The participants were randomized to receive BLTR at 3 mm incision height, BLTR at 5 mm incision height, or PLTR.1
Researchers rechecked the patients for post-operative trichiasis at six weeks and again at 12-18 months. On average, approximately 17% of eyelids had post-operative trichiasis. They found that there was no difference in the risk of post-operative trichiasis between the 2 opptions, with a 3 mm incision height, while those who received the 5 mm incision height BLTR were significantly more likely to have post-operative trichiasis. The results indicate that the current standard surgeries – either method at 3 mm – are better options for trichiasis treatment than the 5 mm method.1
Reference 1. Gower EW, Sisay A, Bayissasse B, Seyum D, Weaver J, Munos B, Keil AP, Bankoski A, Sullivan KM, Kana H, Admassu F, Tadesse D, and Merbs SL. "The impact of modified incision height and surgical procedure on trichiasis surgery outcomes: Results of the Maximizing Trichiasis Surgery Success (MTSS) Randomized Trial." PLOS NTD. September 17, 2024; Accessed September 20, 2024. https://journals.Plos.Org/plosntds/article?Id=10.1371/journal.Pntd.0012034
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