Physical signs
Chlamydia, pregnancy and babies
Tests and treatments
Chlamydia is sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria 'Chlamydia trachomatis'. During the last 5 years the incidence of Chlamydia has increased in Australia, being more prevalent than other infections such as gonorrhoea and syphilis. Chlamydia cannot live outside the body and can only be transmitted through sexual intercourse (or oral sex). Chlamydia cannot be caught from normal social contact, toilets, swimming pools or spas. Using condoms when having sex with new or different partners will help prevent becoming infected with Chlamydia.
Physical signs
In women, Chlamydia infects the
cervix, called 'cervicitis'. Physical signs can include an abnormal or unusual vaginal discharge and possibly painful intercourse. If the infection spreads up into the woman's uterus and fallopian tubes, this is called 'pelvic inflammatory disease' (or 'PID'). PID can cause lower abdominal pain, a fever and feeling generally unwell. However, many women with Chlamydia have no physical signs at all, or the signs are so mild, they hardly notice them.
The incubation period for Chlamydia (or the time from being in contact with an infected person and becoming infected) is around 7 to 21 days. However, Chlamydia can live in the cells of a woman's cervix undetected for many months and flare up at any time in the future. Even if a woman doesn't experience being unwell with PID, the infection may still cause scarring and damage to her fallopian tubes. For a few women, this damage is enough to block the fallopian tubes and possibly lead to chronic pain, infertility or
ectopic pregnancies. This is why Chlamydia is often referred to as the 'silent STI'.
In men, Chlamydia infects the
urethra. This is called 'non-specific urethritis' (or 'NSU') or 'non-gonococcal urethritis' (NGU).