NOTE:
Chlamydial pneumonia is not usually serious in newborn, but chlamydial
conjunctivitis can cause chronic eye disease.
c. Signs/Symptoms in Males. Included are the following:
(1) In urethritis, signs and symptoms occur after one to three weeks'
incubation period. There are two primary signs/symptoms which usually occur together.
There is a burning with urination and a whitish or clear urethral discharge. These
symptoms are usually milder than in gonorrhea.
(2)
In epididymitis, signs and symptoms include:
(a)
Swelling, pain, and tenderness in the scrotum (usually on only one
side).
(b)
Urethritis.
(c) Pain may be so severe that the patient cannot walk or run
comfortably. On the other hand, pain may be low-grade, giving the individual only a
feeling more like an aching sensation than a searing pain.
(d) Sexual activity becomes unpleasant for the affected male because
sexual arousal pulls the scrotum up toward the body. This creates painful pressure on
the infected epididymis.
d. Signs/Symptoms in Females. Included are the following:
(1) In chlamydial cervicitis, there are often no symptoms. In a small
percentage of women, there is a cloudy mucous discharge from the cervix. Sometimes
there is a mild discomfort or itchiness in the genitals. In most cases. there are no
symptoms, so the female does not know that she has an infection that needs treatment.
(2) In chlamydial urethritis, only about one third of those females infected
have signs and symptoms. These are:
(a) Burning with urination; frequent urination.
(b) Urethal discharge.
(c)
Soreness at the opening of the urethra.
(3) In chlamydial pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), signs and symptoms
are more evident.
(a)
Sudden onset of lower abdominal pain.
MD0580
2-10