Chlamydia
Signs and symptoms
Women
Symptoms of infection may show up at anytime. Often this is between 1 to 3 weeks after exposure. However, symptoms may not emerge until a long way down the line. The majority of women who are infected with chlamydia will have no symptoms at all. Possible symptoms are:
* a slight increase in vaginal discharge - caused by the cervix becoming inflamed
* a need to pass urine more often/pain on passing urine
* lower abdominal pain
* pain during sex
* irregular menstrual bleeding
* a painful swelling and irritation in the eyes (if they are infected).
Men
Symptoms of infection may show up at anytime. Often this is between 1 to 3 weeks after exposure. However, symptoms may not emerge until a long way down the line. Men are more likely to notice symptoms than women. However, they too may have no symptoms. Likely symptoms are:
* a discharge from the penis which may be white/cloudy and watery and stain underwear
* pain and/or a burning sensation when passing urine
* a painful swelling and irritation in the eyes (if they are infected) Chlamydia in the rectum rarely causes symptoms.
How chlamydia is passed on
Chlamydia can be transmitted by:
* having sex with someone who is infected
* a mother to her baby at birth
* occasionally, by transferring the infection on fingers from the genitals to the eyes.
Where to go for help
* Your local NHS sexual health (GUM) clinic.
You can find details of your nearest NHS sexual health clinic in the phone book under genito-urinary medicine (GUM), sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or venereal diseases (VD). Or phone your local hospital and ask for the ’special’ or GUM clinic. Our help and advice page links to websites which can tell you where to find your nearest clinic.
You will get free, confidential advice and treatment. You can go to any clinic anywhere in the country - you don’t have to go to a local one - and you don’t have to be referred by your GP. (Non-NHS sexual health clinics may not always offer the full range of services which are available at NHS sexual health clinics.)
* Your own GP.
* If you are in the UK, go to www.playingsafely.co.uk to find details of STD clinics.