Symptoms and Complications of Chlamydia

Chlamydia is an insidious, silent sexually transmitted disease that is caused by the trachomatic bacteria. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that the costs associated with the disease in the United States are greater than $2 billion annually. Because this infection is often asymptomatic, the disease very often goes untreated until it has caused serious consequences in both men and women. In 15-25% of all cases in women and about 50% of cases diagnosed in men, there are symptoms, though. You should see a doctor to check for the infection if you are sexually active and experience any of the following symptoms:

- a yellowish, pussy or mucous-y vaginal discharge

- a persistent, smelly vaginal discharge

- burning with urination

- any discharge from your anus

- spotting or light vaginal bleeding, particularly immediately after intercourse

- anal bleeding

- frequent lower abdominal pain, particularly if it worsens during menstruation

- frequent lower back pain, particularly if it worsens during menstruation

If the disease is left untreated, it can result in serious conditions that affect the reproductive and urethral systems. The disease may cause urethral scarring, especially in men, and can result in low fertility and infertility. In women, it may cause scarring that can block the fallopian tubes, resulting in infertility and increasing the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, a fertilized egg implants itself in the fallopian tube rather than in the uterus. This can result in rupture of the fallopian tube which may be fatal.

The infection can cause chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to chronic and persistent pelvic pain and infertility. According to CDC statistics, 40% of women untreated will develop PID. Of those, 20% will become infertile because of it. 18% will deal with chronic pain that seriously affects their daily lives, and 9% will have an ectopic pregnancy. Even more frightening, recent studies have suggested that women with the infection are 3-5 times more likely to acquire HIV if they are exposed to it.

There is also some evidence that women with the disease are more likely to give birth to low birth weight babies, or to deliver prematurely. In addition, babies born to mothers with the infection may contract the disease themselves. The bacteria can get in their eyes and cause conjunctivitis, or infect their respiratory tract, causing pneumonia. In fact, Chlamydia is the single largest cause of neonatal conjunctivitis and pneumonia in the United States. Most doctors and hospitals will test a mother in labor for Chlamydia, and recommend a caesarean delivery if the test is positive.

Chlamydia can cause proctitis, an inflammation of the lining of the rectum, in both men and women. In men, the disease typically infects the urethral tube. It can spread to the epididymus, the tube that carries sperm from the testicles. Epididymitis can cause fever, pain and infertility. Chlamydia infection can also cause swollen and tender testicles. The Chlamydia can also be found in the mouths and throats of those who have oral sex with an infected partner.