A recent story about a person contracting chlamydial conjunctivitis after using a shared towel at the gym has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread concern.
Chlamydia: A sexually transmitted infection that can also be transmitted to the eyes
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. In men, common symptoms include abnormal discharge and testicular swelling. Women may experience pain during intercourse, abnormal bleeding outside of menstruation, or unusual vaginal discharge.
According to reports from the New York Post and Daily Mail on December 19, a TikTok user claimed to be diagnosed with chlamydial conjunctivitis after wiping their eyes with a towel used at the gym.
Chlamydial conjunctivitis causes eye redness, eyelid swelling, and reduced vision. Its incubation period lasts 1 to 2 weeks; symptoms can persist for up to 18 months without treatment. In rare cases, sharing mascara with an infected person can lead to eye-to-eye transmission.
The TikTok user expressed shock at the diagnosis, stating, “I hadn’t been sexually active recently, so I was stunned to be diagnosed with an STI. The doctor suggested I might have been infected from sweat on gym equipment.”
Dr. Joe Whittington, a UK emergency medicine expert, clarified on social media that while chlamydia is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, using a towel contaminated with the sweat of an infected person could potentially lead to infection.
When asked about the possibility of contracting chlamydia through gym equipment, Dr. Whittington responded, “The risk of infection through surface contact, such as touching gym equipment, is extremely low. The bacteria require specific environments to survive.”
He further explained that chlamydia does not spread through sweat and cannot survive long when exposed to air. He noted that the bacteria thrive only in warm, moist environments like the human body.
However, Dr. Whittington warned about other infectious agents in gym settings. He emphasized that MRSA, ringworm, and skin warts can be transmitted through surface contact and stressed the importance of disinfecting equipment before and after use.
Low risk for chlamydia transmission through gym equipment
While the risk of contracting chlamydia from gym equipment is negligible, other contact-based infections pose a more significant threat. Thus, maintaining good personal hygiene and regularly disinfecting equipment is crucial for prevention.
In South Korea, chlamydia remains a prevalent sexually transmitted infection. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 3,589 cases by July 2023, a 5.6% increase from the previous year.
Young adults in their 20s account for 46.4% of cases, with women more frequently affected than men. In 2019, 58.6% of patients were female, rising to 61.1% in 2020.
Chlamydia often progresses without symptoms, making it challenging to detect. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as epididymitis, prostatitis, and infertility in men, and increased risk of infertility due to fallopian tube and uterine damage in women.
Regular screenings and prompt antibiotic treatment are essential for managing chlamydia. Consistent condom use remains an effective preventive measure.
