Over 1.5 million people in the United States had chlamydia in 2020, though numbers are likely higher as people who are asymptomatic (without symptoms) go undiagnosed. Without diagnosis and treatment, chlamydia could last for a long time and cause serious complications.
Getting tested as soon as you experience chlamydia symptoms is essential, especially if you engaged in unprotected sex or a sexual partner was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Chlamydia screening is also recommended for all sexually active women under 25.
In this article, learn more about chlamydia, its symptoms, complications, and how long it lasts.
What Is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a bacterial STI caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the most common STI in the United States.
Symptoms
Chlamydia is sometimes called a “silent infection” because most people are without symptoms; it is estimated that only 5% to 30% of women and 10% of men develop symptoms. This is why regular screening is recommended.
Symptoms can vary based on the body part infected for those who are symptomatic.
Symptoms for people with vulvae (female genitalia):
Cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix) Unusual vaginal discharge, sometimes with an odor Painful sex Pain in the abdomen or pelvis Unusual vaginal bleeding Painful urination Urinary frequency
Symptoms for people with penises:
Urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) Watery or mucus discharge from the penis Pain or burning when urinating Epididymitis (inflammation of the epididymis) One-sided testicle pain, tenderness, and/or swelling
Symptoms for throat infection:
Sore throatSwollen tonsilsRedness in the mouthMild fever
Symptoms for rectal infections:
Proctitis (inflammation of the inner rectum)Rectal painDischarge from the rectumRectal bleeding
How Long Does Chlamydia Last?
Once chlamydia is treated with antibiotics, the infection often resolves in one to three weeks. It is not recommended to have sex during the seven-day antibiotics course.
Without the proper antibiotic treatment, a person unaware they have chlamydia could have the infection for years, infect other sexual partners, and experience serious complications.
While antibiotics can cure chlamydia, they won’t treat additional complications experienced from chlamydia; therefore, it is crucial to get tested.
How Is Chlamydia Spread?
Chlamydia is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria and is transmitted through bodily secretions. It can spread through vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
Complications If Left Untreated
Untreated chlamydia is not only dangerous because of the possibility of infecting others but can cause serious complications.
Some of these complications include:
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Chronic pelvic pain Female infertility Ectopic pregnancy Urethral strictures (males)
Summary
Chlamydia is the most common STI in the United States. It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, and can be cured with antibiotics. Once you begin antibiotic treatment, it can take one to three weeks for the chlamydia infection to resolve.
However, asymptomatic infected people could have chlamydia for years, which may cause other serious complications and spread the infection to others.
A Word From Verywell
The difficulty with treating chlamydia—and the reason that some people have the infection for years—is that most people don’t experience symptoms. If you’re sexually active, talk to your healthcare provider or visit a local sexual health clinic for regular testing.
