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Gonorrhea and Chlamydia

Gonorrhea and chlamydia are caused by bacteria. These two diseases often occur at the same time.

Gonorrhea and chlamydia often have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may appear 2–21 days (3 weeks) after contact with an infected person. Symptoms may include:

• A discharge from a woman’s vagina or a man’s penis
• Painful or frequent urination
• Pain in the pelvis or abdomen
• Burning or itching in the vaginal area
• Redness or swelling of the vulva
• Bleeding between periods
• Sore throat with or without fever
• Swollen or enlarged lymph nodes

Gonorrhea and chlamydia can be treated at the same time with antibiotics. It is important to take all of your medicine. Your partner also must be treated.

You can pass gonorrhea and chlamydia to your partner even while you are being treated. If you have either disease, avoid sexual contact until both you and your partner have finished treatment.

Untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women. PID is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It can cause infertility. Symptoms of PID are fever, nausea and vomiting, and pain in the abdomen. It can lead to long-term pelvic pain.