How long after exposure to chlamydia can you pass it on

Most people who have chlamydia don't notice any symptoms.

If you do get symptoms, these usually appear between 1 and 3 weeks after having unprotected sex with an infected person. For some people they don't develop until many months later.

Sometimes the symptoms can disappear after a few days. Even if the symptoms disappear you may still have the infection and be able to pass it on.

Symptoms in women

At least 70% of women with chlamydia don't notice any symptoms. If they do get symptoms, the most common include: 

• pain when urinating
• unusual vaginal discharge
• pain in the tummy or pelvis
• pain during sex
• bleeding after sex
• bleeding between periods

If chlamydia is left untreated, it can spread to the womb and cause a serious condition called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is a major cause of ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women.

Read more about the complications of chlamydia.

Symptoms in men

At least half of all men with chlamydia don't notice any symptoms. If they do get symptoms, the most common include: 

• pain when urinating
• white, cloudy or watery discharge from the tip of the penis
• burning or itching in the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body)
• pain in the testicles

If chlamydia is left untreated, the infection can cause swelling in the epididymis (the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles) and the testicles. This could affect your fertility.

Read more about the complications of chlamydia.

Chlamydia in the rectum, throat or eyes

Chlamydia can also infect:

• the rectum (back passage) if you have unprotected anal sex – this can cause discomfort and discharge from your rectum
• the throat if you have unprotected oral sex – this is uncommon and usually causes no symptoms
• the eyes if they come into contact with infected semen or vaginal fluid – this can cause eye redness, pain and discharge (conjunctivitis)

When to seek medical advice

If you have any symptoms of chlamydia, visit your GP, community contraceptive service or local genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic as soon as possible.

Find a sexual health clinic.

You should also get tested if you don't have any symptoms but are concerned you could have a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

If you're a woman, sexually active and under 25 in England, it's recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year, and when you have sex with new or casual partners.

If you're a man, sexually active and under 25 in England, it's recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year if you are not using condoms with new or casual partners.

Read more about chlamydia diagnosis.

It depends on which sexually transmitted infection (STI) you have.

Symptoms can develop within a few days or weeks, but sometimes they do not appear until months or even years later.

Often there are few or no symptoms and you may not know you have an STI.

If there's any chance you have an STI, go to a sexual health clinic or GP for a free and confidential check-up.

Chlamydia

Symptoms usually appear after 1 to 3 weeks but can start much later. Symptoms include:

• discharge from the vagina or penis
• pain when peeing
• vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex
• pelvic pain in women
• testicular pain in men

About 50% of men and 70% of women who are infected do not have any symptoms.

Find out more about chlamydia.

Genital herpes

Symptoms can appear after 4 to 7 days but might not start until months or years later. Symptoms include:

• small, painful blisters around the genitals
• pain when peeing
• a tingling or itching around the genitals

Most people do not have any symptoms when first infected.

Find out more about genital herpes.

Genital warts

If genital warts appear, symptoms could start from 3 weeks to many months or even years after contact with the virus that causes them. Symptoms include:

• small, fleshy growths or bumps on the genitals or around the anus – these are usually painless, but may be itchy

Most people with the virus that causes genital warts do not develop obvious warts.

Find out more about genital warts.

Gonorrhoea

Symptoms usually appear within 2 weeks of being infected but could start much later. They include:

• green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis
• pain when peeing

About 10% of men and 50% of women who are infected do not have any symptoms.

Find out more about gonorrhoea.

Pubic lice

It can take several weeks before any symptoms of pubic lice appear. Symptoms are the same for men and women, and include:

• itching in the affected areas, especially at night
• inflammation and irritation caused by scratching
• black powder in your underwear
• blue spots or small spots of blood on your skin, such as on your thighs or lower tummy (caused by lice bites)

Find out more about pubic lice

Scabies

Symptoms of scabies can take up to 6 weeks to appear if you have never had them before. It may only take up to 4 days if you have had scabies before. Symptoms include:

• itching around the genitals (usually worse at night)
• a spotty red rash

Find out more about scabies.

Syphilis

Symptoms usually appear after 2 to 3 weeks but could start earlier or much later. They include:

• one or more small painless sores or ulcers on the genitals
• a blotchy rash and flu-like symptoms that may follow a few weeks later

Symptoms are often not obvious and may come and go.

Find out more about syphilis.

Trichomoniasis

Symptoms usually appear within 4 weeks but could start months later. They include:

• discharge from the vagina or penis
• pain when peeing
• itchiness or discomfort around the opening of the vagina

About 50% of men and women who are infected do not have any symptoms.

Find out more about trichomoniasis.

HIV

The first symptoms may appear after 2 to 6 weeks. They can include:

• flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature (fever), sore throat, headaches, and achy muscles or joints
• a red rash on the body

Not everyone gets these symptoms, but in people who do they usually last 1 to 2 weeks.

After the symptoms disappear, you may not have any further symptoms for many years, even though the infection remains in your body.

Find out more about HIV.

Further information:

• What should I do if I think I've got an STI?
• What services do sexual health clinics (GUM clinics) provide?
• Visiting an STI clinic