Risk of Sequelae Following Chlamydia Trachomatis Genital Infection in Women

Data on risk of sequelae following untreated chlamydial infection are limited. In high-risk settings, 2-5% of untreated women develop PID within the 2-week period between testing and treatment. In the general population, preliminary data suggest 9% of those with untreated infection develop PID in 12 months. Less is known about risk of infertility from untreated chlamydia. Repeated infection has been associated with sequelae, although it is unclear whether risk per infection increases with each recurrent episode. Additional prospective studies on the natural history of initial and repeated chlamydial infections and better tools to measure PID and tubal damage are needed.