Symptoms and Complications
People with chlamydia don't always have symptoms. About 75% of women and about 50% of men won't show signs of infection. If symptoms start, they will show up within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure.
In men, chlamydia usually starts in the urethra. Symptoms often come and go, or might only be noticed during the first urination of the day. These include:
- painful burning during urination
- redness, swelling, burning, itching around the opening of the penis
- discharge from the penis, usually milky-white, gray, or yellow in color
Chlamydia can cause a number of complications in both men and women. Men may:
- become sterile if the infection spreads from the urethra to the testicles - this is called epididymitis
- develop prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate
- develop Reiter's syndrome, a type of arthritis that can damage the joints and eyes
In women, chlamydia usually begins on the cervix. While symptoms are rare in women, they can include:
- a yellowish vaginal discharge that might have a foul odor
- painful burning during urination
- bleeding between periods and after intercourse
- pain during intercourse
- pain in the lower abdomen
Women can also develop a number of serious complications from a chlamydia infection. If left untreated, it can cause:
- a type of arthritis called Reiter's syndrome
- pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious condition that can permanently damage the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries (this can cause infertility and chronic pain)
In both women and men, chlamydia can infect the rectum. This causes:
- rectal itching and bleeding
- pain during defecation
- mucus-like discharge
If the eyes are infected by chlamydia (conjunctivitis), symptoms are:
- redness, itching, and discharge from the eyes
- swollen eyelids
In infants with chlamydia, eye infections occur in about 30% to 50% of babies born to infected mothers, and the infection usually occurs within 2 weeks of delivery. If the infection isn't treated in time, it can lead to scarring of the cornea and permanent damage to vision. About 5% to 20% of babies born to infected mothers will get pneumonia, usually within 2 to 12 weeks after delivery. The chlamydial pneumonia can cause anything from mild symptoms to breathing problems that include a repetitive cough.