Chlamydia infection is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted diseases. We probably all know that. However, there are many types of chlamydia, and some of them manifest themselves quite differently – as infections of the respiratory tract, eyes, or other organs in the body.
Chlamydia infection is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted diseases. We probably all know that. However, there are many types of chlamydia, and some of them manifest themselves quite differently – as infections of the respiratory tract, eyes, or other organs in the body. In such cases, it may not be immediately obvious that it is chlamydia.
Western-style treatment for chlamydia is often unsuccessful. Diagnosis itself is problematic, as chlamydia shows great similarity to other infections. But even for Chinese medicine, chlamydia is often a tough nut to crack. The point is that their treatment requires, above all, time and patience.
Chlamydia are microscopic organisms that parasitise inside living cells. Although they resemble viruses in size, they are classified as bacteria. Unlike common bacteria, they obtain energy and reproduce only inside host cells. They survive in the cell in a non-infectious form and can either cause the cell to disintegrate, thereby releasing them into the surroundings, or remain inside the cell and be released via exocytosis.
The best-known species include:
Most common ways of chlamydia transmission:
Chlamydia infections can have various manifestations; in other words, they can cause different diseases. Here we will describe the most common ones.
Urogenital infections
Chlamydia trachomatis is transmitted through sexual, anal, and oral contact. People aged 15–30 are most at risk. This infection often occurs without symptoms, which complicates its diagnosis and treatment. In men, it manifests as urethritis with symptoms such as burning during urination and discharge. In women, the infection manifests as discharge, pain during intercourse, and bleeding outside the cycle.
Respiratory tract infections
Chlamydia pneumoniae is a common cause of lung diseases. Symptoms include a dry cough, headache, fatigue, and a mild fever. The infection can present as a common cold or flu, but it can also lead to more serious conditions such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
Psittacosis
Psittacosis, caused by Chlamydia psittaci, is an infection that humans can contract from birds, mainly parrots and pigeons. Symptoms include a dry cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, and headaches, sometimes accompanied by nausea and diarrhoea. The infection can be as mild as a cold or as serious as pneumonia.
If the infection is not recognised and treated in time, it can lead to serious complications. Chlamydia can spread to other organs and cause:
This depends on the stage of the infection the patient is in, whether it is acute or chronic. The type of treatment is adapted accordingly.
Acute phase
If the infection phase is acute and the person perceives symptoms, the problem is addressed based on symptom diagnosis.
Urogenital infections are treated as heat or, more specifically, damp heat in the urogenital system. This is usually based on a deficiency of Spleen Qi. Typical manifestations include discharge, often yellow, itchy, and foul-smelling. There may also be itching without discharge.
Here, Chinese medicine recommends:
Pulmonary infections
This again involves a weakening of Lung Qi, followed by an attack of wind-heat or toxic heat.
Here, Chinese medicine recommends:
This approach is particularly suitable in the early stages of a chlamydia infection.
Chronic phase
Unfortunately, treatment is often sought too late, once chlamydia has already settled into our organism and is waiting for an opportunity when it becomes weakened (by stress or overwork), our immunity drops, and it ceases to keep the chlamydia under control. They then "begin to demand our energy", which we recognise by typical symptoms that are mostly similar to those mentioned above in the acute phase, but without such a dramatic progression. They fall into a category that we in Chinese medicine refer to as a "hidden pathogen" (this also includes chronic Lyme disease or chronic yeast infections).
The method of treatment depends on the symptoms. The most important thing at this moment is a vigorous strengthening of the immune system so that the body can regain control over these pathogenic microorganisms.
A combination of three agents is usually recommended:
As with other "hidden pathogens", treatment takes months, sometimes longer. However, the patient must see constant improvement in their condition. Sometimes, however, it can be like a rollercoaster. For a while, the patient is completely free of symptoms and difficulties, and then, usually after some weakening, the symptoms return. It takes a lot of patience!
But what is important – do not neglect treatment! Untreated chlamydia infections are dangerous due to potential long-term tissue damage. In women, they can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and complications during pregnancy, while in lung infections they can trigger chronic respiratory diseases, pneumonia and exacerbations (significant worsening) of chronic diseases such as COPD.
Infections weaken the immune system, increase the risk of further infections and are associated with extrapulmonary complications, including atherosclerosis.
Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing these complications, while asymptomatic courses of infection often lead to them being overlooked and transmitted to other people.
Control your emotions and do not stress excessively, work in moderation, listen to your body and get enough rest. In your free time, move (exercise should not be exhausting), sleep enough and eat high-quality, regular and varied meals.
Think about your Spleen. If you eat poorly, you weaken the Qi energy of the Spleen, which leads to the formation of dampness and phlegm in the body
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