A woman’s claim that she contracted an STD simply by working out at a gym has sparked widespread debate, with a doctor weighing in on the unusual case.
According to a recent report by News.com.au, a TikTok video has gone viral in which a user shares her surprising experience. In the video, the user explains that she visited a doctor thinking she had pink eye, only to be shocked by a diagnosis of chlamydial conjunctivitis.
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. In many cases, chlamydia shows no symptoms. For men, this may include abnormal discharge from the penis or testicular swelling. For women, symptoms can include pain during intercourse, abnormal vaginal discharge, or bleeding between periods.
Chlamydia can also manifest in the eyes as chlamydial conjunctivitis, which causes symptoms such as red eyes, swollen eyelids, and reduced vision. The incubation period for chlamydial conjunctivitis is usually between 1 and 2 weeks, and if left untreated, the condition can persist for up to 18 months.
However, for the TikTok user in question, the diagnosis was particularly puzzling because she hadn’t had sexual intercourse recently. She explained, “The doctor asked if I had been working out at a popular gym and then suggested I might have contracted it from someone else’s sweat on the gym equipment. He said that wiping my face with a towel that had been used by someone else could have led to chlamydial conjunctivitis.”
After the video went viral, some viewers expressed concern about the potential risk of contracting an STD at the gym. Some even went to extremes by excessively disinfecting gym equipment.
Examining the Transmission of Chlamydial Conjunctivitis
Dr. Zac Turner, a biomedical scientist and physician from Sydney, responded to these concerns, stating that the likelihood of contracting an STD at a gym is extremely low. He clarified that chlamydia is not transmitted through sweat, and the bacteria can’t survive long outside the body; it thrives only in warm, moist environments like those found inside the human body.
Dr. Turner explained that chlamydial conjunctivitis typically occurs when a person touches their eyes after coming into contact with genital secretions from an infected individual. He suggested that the TikTok user likely contracted the infection through a different route and reassured gym-goers that they need not worry about contracting an STD at the gym.
Meanwhile, if left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious health complications. In men, it can cause epididymitis, prostatitis, and infertility. For women, chlamydia can result in permanent damage to the fallopian tubes and uterus, which can increase the risk of infertility.
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