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Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about three quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have NO symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within one to three weeks after exposure.

In women with vaginal infections, the bacteria will initially infect the vagina, the cervix (opening to the uterus) and the urethra (urine canal). Women who have symptoms might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. When the infection spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry fertilized eggs from the ovaries to the uterus), some women still have no signs or symptoms, while others experience lower abdominal pain, lower back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods. Chlamydial infection of the vagina can also spread to the rectum. Women become re-infected if their sex partners are not treated.

Men with signs or symptoms might have a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. Men might also have burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the testicles can occur.

For females and males, an infection in the rectum can be acquired through receptive anal intercourse. Symptoms of rectal infection in both men and women may include rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding. Chlamydia can also be transmitted to the throat during oral sex.

Both men and women may experience asymptomatic (without symptoms) infections; symptoms will vary depending on what part of the body is infected.

Signs and symptoms for men include a burning sensation when urinating, or a discharge from the penis. The head of the penis may become swollen and sore, and sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles. Some men experience signs or symptoms that appear two to seven days after infection, but symptoms can also take as long as 30 days to appear. Men with gonorrhea may also have no symptoms at all.

The symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild in women; in fact most women who are infected experience none. When signs and symptoms of a gonorrhea infection are present they can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. The initial symptoms in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Most women who develop local symptoms do so within 10 days of infection. Regardless of the presence or severity of symptoms, women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection (refer to the risks [link to the risks page]).

In females and males, a gonorrhea infection in the rectum can be acquired through receptive anal intercourse. Symptoms of rectal infection in both men and women may include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements. This type of infection may also cause no symptoms at all. Infections in the throat and the eyes can occur, resulting in symptoms ranging from non-existent to severe.