Chlamydia

This is caused by bacteria, which are found in semen and vaginal fluid and are easily passed from one person to another through sexual contact. At least half of all infected men and women will not have any symptoms at all. Symptoms can show up 1 to 3 weeks after coming into contact with Chlamydia, many months later or not until the infection spreads to other parts of your body.

Women	Men
• An unusual vaginal discharge. • Pain when passing urine. • Bleeding between periods. • Bleeding after sex. • Pain and/or bleeding when you have sex. • Lower abdominal pain.	• A white/cloudy and watery discharge from the tip of the penis. • Pain when passing urine. • Painful and swollen testicles.

Infection in the rectum rarely has symptoms but may cause discomfort, and discharge in both men and women. If the eyes become infected you may experience pain, swelling, irritation and discharge (conjunctivitis). Infection of the throat usually has no symptoms.

If left untreated

The infection can spread to other parts of the body causing damage and serious long-tern complications. In women Chlamydia can spread to other reproductive organs causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can lead to long-term pelvic pain, blocked fallopian tubes, infertility and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb). Chlamydia can spread to the liver causing pain and inflammation, though this is rare.

In men it can lead to a painful infection in the testicles and possibly reduce fertility. It is thought that in some men it might cause the prostate to become inflamed. Inflammation of the joints can occur (reactive arthritis) which is sometimes accompanied by inflammation of the urethra and the eye when it is known as Reiter’s syndrome. This is rare and occurs more in men than in women.