Symptoms of Chlamydia

Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because 75 percent of infected women and half of infected men have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks of exposure. The infection is often not diagnosed or treated until there are complications. If you think you have chlamydia or are concerned about it, both you and your sexual partner should see a health care provider right away.

In women, the bacteria first attack the cervix (opening to the uterus, or womb) and the urethra (urine canal). Symptoms, if any, might include an abnormal vaginal discharge, or a burning sensation when urinating.

If the infection spreads from the cervix to the uterus and fallopian tubes, some women still have no signs or symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you might experience lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during sex, and bleeding between menstrual periods.

Men with symptoms might have a discharge from the penis and a burning sensation when urinating. Men might also have burning and itching around the opening of the penis or pain and swelling in the testicles, or both.