The Most Common Signs of Chlamydia
Often called the “silent infection,” it’s important to know that most people that have chlamydia do not experience any symptoms. While this may seem like a good thing, it presents a problem because the person does not know to seek treatment.
As a result, a person will continue to spread chlamydia to others unknowingly.
And the symptoms for men and women are slightly different.
Chlamydia Symptoms in Men
Men have a difficult time spotting symptoms of chlamydia. The main reason for this is that the symptoms can be random or infrequent. The randomness of the symptoms will lead to a person thinking that the symptom was an odd occurrence and not due to the infection.
The symptoms that men will experience are:
- Discharge: White, watery or cloudy discharge can be seen exiting the tip of the penis.
- Urination Pain: Burning sensation or extreme discomfort when urinating
- Testicles: A man’s testicles can become painful, tender and inflamed.
When a man does exhibit symptoms (remember, not all men do), they will usually present themselves within three weeks of being exposed. There are also symptoms that may be experienced in different areas of the body outside of the genitals.
Since this infection can be spread to other areas of the body, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Eyes: Conjunctivitis or reddening of the eyes
- Throat: Pain and infection of the throat
- Rectal: Pain when going to the bathroom, bleeding and discharge can occur
Long-term issues for men can include becoming infertile and damage to the reproductive tract.
Chlamydia Symptoms in Women
Women also have sporadic symptoms which can change from one person to the next. The main issue that women face, if left untreated, is that they can become infertile or have pregnancy complications.
There is also the chance of spreading the infection to a baby during delivery.
So, it’s important to be able to spot the symptoms that do occur so that swift treatment can follow. The most common symptoms among women sufferers include:
- Discharge: Vaginal discharge can occur
- Pain: Pain during sex or in the abdomen
- Urination Pain: Pain when urinating, burning or even blood in the urine may be experienced
- Frequent Urination: The feeling of needing to urinate frequently or the actual need to continue urinating may be experienced
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can be a result of untreated chlamydia. If a woman experiences any of the following symptoms, she likely has PID and chlamydia:
- Fever
- Cramping
- Pelvic pain
- Abdominal pain
Again, women are at a severe risk when they have any STD because it may be transmitted to a child if they’re pregnant. Women may also become infertile if the infection is not treated properly.
If you believe that you have chlamydia or have been sexually active with someone that has chlamydia, it’s important to get tested and seek treatment as soon as possible.
