When this happens, the egg may attach itself to the fallopian tube. This is called ectopic or tubal pregnancy. This very serious condition results in a miscarriage and can cause death of the mother. A baby who is exposed to C. trachomatis in the birth canal during delivery may develop an eye infection or pneumonia. Symptoms of pneumonia, including a cough that gets steadily worse and congestion, most often develop within three to six weeks of birth.
Doctors can treat both conditions successfully with antibiotics.
Because of these risks to the newborn, many doctors recommend that all pregnant women get tested for chlamydial infection. You can reduce your chances of getting chlamydia or of giving it to your partner by using male latex condoms correctly every time you have sexual intercourse. If you are infected but have no symptoms, you may pass the bacteria to your sex partners without knowing it. Therefore, any doctors recommend that anyone who has more than one sex partner, especially women under 25 years of age, be tested for chlamydial infection regularly, even if they don't have symptoms. Scientists are looking for better ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent chlamydial infections.