Chlamydia Infection Symptoms and Complications

Symptoms in Women

Women with chlamydial infections may experience abnormal vaginal discharge, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1, 2
Dysuria (painful urination) is a symptom of chlamydia in women, according to the CDC 3, 2
Lower abdominal pain is a possible symptom of chlamydia in women, as reported by the CDC 2
Intermenstrual bleeding or postcoital bleeding can occur in women with chlamydia, as noted by the CDC 2
Dyspareunia (painful intercourse) is a symptom of chlamydia in women, according to the CDC 2
Endometritis can develop in women with untreated chlamydia, as reported by the CDC 3
Salpingitis (fallopian tube infection) is a possible complication of chlamydia in women, according to the CDC 2
Perihepatitis (Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome) can occur in women with chlamydia, as noted by the CDC 1

Urethritis is the most common manifestation of chlamydia in men, as reported by the CDC 1, 2
Urethral discharge is a symptom of chlamydia in men, according to the CDC 3, 2
Dysuria (painful urination) can occur in men with chlamydia, as noted by the CDC 3, 2
Rectal discharge and pain during defecation can occur in men who engage in receptive anal intercourse and have chlamydia, as reported by the CDC 1, 3

Rectal infections are generally asymptomatic, but can cause discharge, pain during defecation, and symptoms of proctocolitis, as noted by the CDC 1, 3
Pharyngeal infections can occur, but have not been established as a cause of pharyngitis, according to the CDC 1

Chlamydia can cause conjunctivitis in adults through exposure to infectious genital secretions or autoinoculation, as reported by the CDC 1
Chlamydia is the most common cause of neonatal conjunctivitis, according to the CDC 3

Reactive arthritis (formerly known as Reiter's syndrome) can develop 1-4 weeks after genital infection, characterized by inflammation of joints, eyes, and urogenital tract, as reported by the CDC, although this fact is also mentioned in Praxis Medical Insights, the CDC version is preferred 4
Chlamydia may cause acute dysuria-pyuria syndrome in women with pyuria but sterile urine cultures, as noted by the CDC 1

Pregnant women with untreated chlamydia are at risk for postpartum PID and can transmit the infection to infants during delivery, as reported by the CDC 3, 2
Infants born to infected mothers may develop conjunctivitis (15-25% of exposed infants) and pneumonia (3-16% of exposed infants), according to the CDC 3