Complications if left untreated

It is proven that, if left untreated, Chlamydia can lead to or be associated with other serious health problems, such as:

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Several researches done in the past have come to the conclusion that women infected with chlamydia are at a greater risk of acquiring HIV than women who are not infected with chlamydia.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
This is a serious infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes. The infection can damage the fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus, including the cervix. When this happens it can lead to scarring that may lead to infertility. This is not such a rare condition nowadays. Each year, about 1 million U.S. women develop PID, with chlamydia responsible in about a half of those cases. 

Epididymitis
A chlamydia infection can inflame the epididymis, a coiled tube that every man has located beside each testicle. Epididymitis may result in fever, scrotal pain and swelling. It must be treated with strong antibiotics.

Prostatitis
The proven fact is that this bacterium can spread to prostate gland and cause inflammation called prostatitis. It may result in pain during or after sex, fever and chills, painful urination, and lower back pain.

Rectal inflammation
If a person is practicing anal sex, the chlamydia may cause the rectal inflammation. This condition is called proctitis and it can result in rectal pain and mucus discharge.

Eye infections
If a person touches the eyes with the infected hands, it can cause an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis which can sometimes result in blindness.

Infections in newborns
The chlamydia infection can pass from vaginal canal to the child during delivery, causing pneumonia or an eye infection that can lead to blindness.

High risk for other STDs
People who are infected have a higher risk of developing other sexually transmitted diseases. Other complications, especially among men are rare. The infection sometimes spreads to the epididymis, causing pain, fever, and, rarely, sterility.