Complications of Chlamydia

Chlamydia is not a new infection, and there is nothing to be scared about as long as you are ready to take the right steps. Millions of people are infected with Chlamydia all over the world. Chlamydia is also not a life-threatening or dangerous infection in its early stages. It only becomes dangerous if you leave it untreated and you allow it to develop. Early diagnosis of Chlamydia does you a lot of good as you will be able to nip any complications that arise in the bud.

However, if you do nothing about this infection, and you allow it to develop, the symptoms will become too profound to ignore, most especially in men. Women can go longer without realizing they have been infected. When the symptoms become obvious, and you leave the virus untreated, it festers and spread to other body parts and causes the following complications to your body.

Chlamydia complications in women

  1. Cervicitis

Also known as inflammation of the cervix. This affects the neck of the uterus (cervix), which is an internal transition between the vagina and the uterus. Majority of people will not experience any clear symptom of this, but some may experience discomfort around the vagina (in the form of an itch), vaginal discharge with puss, unusual bleeding. A few people also experience painful intercourse, burning sensation during urination, urinary tract infection. Untreated cervicitis can lead to an enlarged cervix with a cyst; it can also lead to back pain, severe pain in the pelvis, and persistent vaginal discharge.

More: Pelvic inflammation caused by chlamydia

  1. Pregnancy complications

When you have Chlamydia, and it is left untreated, it becomes increasingly dangerous if you are pregnant as there is a chance you could pass the infection to the baby. If this happens, your baby may develop eye infection in the form of conjunctivitis or lung infection in the form of pneumonia. There is also a risk of the baby being born prematurely (before 37 weeks) increasing the likelihood of the baby being lightweight.

More: Chlamydia in newborns and children

More: Chlamydia and pregnancy

More: Chlamydia in women

Chlamydia complications in men

When left untreated, the symptoms of Chlamydia become more obvious and profound in men than women. Complications arise in several parts of the body. The infection can spread to the genital area (penis and scrotum) as well as the anus. The effect of these complications in men can leave a disastrous consequence. The following are some of the most common Chlamydia complications in men.

  1. Epididymitis or Epididymo-orchitis

Also known as the inflammation of the testicles in men especially resulting from the spread to the testicles and the epididymis causing the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to become painful and swollen.

More: Chlamydia epidiymitis

  1. Reactive arthritis

Reactive arthritis is the most common complications resulting from Chlamydia. This is the inflammation of your urethra, joints and eyes within the first three weeks of getting infected.

  1. Increased risk of HIV

When Chlamydia is left untreated, it increases the risks of acquiring as well as transmitting HIV.

More: HIV and AIDS

More: Chlamydia in men

More: Chlamydia symptoms

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-detailed.htm

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chlamydia/symptoms/