Symptoms of Chlamydia
The early symptoms of chlamydial infection are usually mild, for this reason it has sometimes been called "the silent STD."
If symptoms occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure. Studies report that
10 to 20 percent of sexually active female teens harbor chlamydial infections. In
up to 75 percent of cases, the infection is clinically inapparent. As a result, the disease is often not diagnosed until complications develop.
Symptoms of chlamydial infection in the cervix, urethra, or anus may include intermittent vaginal bleeding or discharge, pain on urination, or ill-defined abdominal discomfort.
In men, chlamydial infections cause about 40 percent of the cases of nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), an inflammation of the urinary tract. The most common symptom of NGU is a discharge of mucus or pus from the penis. Some men also notice pain when urinating. Pain or swelling in the scrotal area may be signs of epididymitis, an inflammation of a part of the male reproductive system located near the testicles.
Up to 50 percent of men have no symptoms.
Diagnosis of Chlamydia
The diagnosis is often made clinically and by exclusion. In women, a pelvic exam and cervical and urethral swabs for chlamydia and gonorrhea are performed. In men, a urethral swab is taken. Negative cultures or screenings do not completely rule out infection.