Males experience a discharge from the urethra causing painful urination, while females suffer infection of the urethra and cervix. Women who are infected have a long term risk of serious complications, such as infertility or ectopic pregnancy. However, it is possible to be infected with gonorrhoea without showing any obvious symptoms. Women are particularly vulnerable to this asymptomatic form of the disease. Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis.
Much chlamydial infection goes undiagnosed, because the infection is often without symptoms.
However, the long term complications can be severe, especially for women where it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. The Public Health Laboratory Service is developing new diagnostic and screening methods which should help to ensure that more cases are diagnosed and treated before the long-term effects occur. Warts are found on or around the penis, anus or vagina. They are small lumps which have an irregular cauliflower-like surface. The colour and shape vary depending on their location.