Chlamydia is what is often referred to as a “silent” disease since about 75% ofthe  infected women and 50% of the infected men never show any symptoms. Due to this, the infection often is not diagnosed or treated, until complications develop.

[ad]Women are initially attacked by the bacteria in the cervix (the opening to the uterus) and the urethra (urine canal). If symptoms show up in this stage, it mostly is an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. When the infection continues from the cervix to the fallopian tubes, some women still have no signs or symptoms. Those who have symptoms have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain while having sexual intercourse, and bleeding inbetween menstrual periods. If the infection spreads past the cervix into the upper reproductive system, permanent and irreversible damage might occur.

Symptoms occuring with men are discharge from the penis and a burning sensation when urinating. Men can also have burning and itching around the opening of the penis or pain and swelling in the testicles, or both.

Symtpoms mostly appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure, if they ever appear at all.