About Chlamydia



Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics but often causes no symptoms, so someone can be infected without even knowing it. Untreated chlamydial infections can lead to more serious health problems, such as infertility, so it's important for sexually active teens to be screened for chlamydia at least yearly by a health care provider. It's also important for them to take the precautions to prevent chlamydia, and if it's suspected, to seek treatment as soon as possible.



In females, chlamydia symptoms can include:

  • vaginal irritation
  • vaginal discharge
  • lower abdominal pain
  • burning feeling with urination

Untreated chlamydia also can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can affect the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. In some cases, PID has no symptoms but often causes abdominal or lower back pain, painful urination, pain during intercourse, bleeding between menstrual periods, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or fever.

If chlamydia or PID infections go untreated in females, they can lead to scarring of the fallopian tubes, which can lead to other serious health problems such as chronic pelvic pain, infertility, or ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.

Just like in females, chlamydia may be completely without symptoms in males. When present in males, chlamydia symptoms can include discharge from the tip of the penis and a burning feeling during urination. Untreated infections can lead to epididymitis, an inflammation of the coiled tubes in the back of the testicles. This can result in testicular swelling, pain, and even infertility.



Chlamydia is contagious. It can be transmitted through sexual contact, in semen and vaginal secretions.




The medications currently available effective treat chlamydia. However, once treated, a young person is encouraged to be screened for chlamydia again about 3 months after treatment. This is because up to 20% of young women are re-exposed to chlamydia and need to be treated again. The most common reason for exposure is a sexual partner who hasn't been adequately treated.

The sexual partners of anyone who has or is suspected of having chlamydia or any other STD should be examined and treated. Those diagnosed with any STD should inform their partners as soon as possible so that they can be examined and treated, prevent complications, and avoid spreading the infections to others.









Getting Help




Reviewed by: Michele Van Vranken, MD
Date reviewed: November 2009

Kids Health

