People with chlamydia don't always have symptoms. It is estimated that more than 70% of women and 50% of men won't show signs of infection. If symptoms start, they will generally show up within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure, but can take as long as 6 weeks to appear. It can infect genital tracts including the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, urethra, and epididymis (tube that the stores and carries sperm), as well as the throat, rectum, and eyes.
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 on urination
- redness, swelling, burning, and itching around the opening of the penis
- discharge from the penis, usually milky-white, grey, or yellow in colour
- pain in the scrotum
- inflammation of the coiled tube (epididymis) at the back of the testicle that stores and carries sperm, called epididymitis. This will cause testicular pain, tenderness and swelling.
- prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate
- sterility if the infection spreads from the urethra to the testicles
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 vaginal intercourse
- pain in the lower abdomen
- pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious condition that can permanently damage the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries (this can cause infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pain)
Chlamydia can cause a number of complications in both men and women, depending on the infected site, including:
- conjunctivitis (pinkeye)
- pharyngitis (sore throat)
- rectal pain, bleeding, and discharge
- reactive arthritis (formerly called Reiter's syndrome), a type of arthritis that can damage the joints and eyes
In infants with chlamydia, eye infections occur in about 20% 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 30% 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.