Friday, April 26, 2024
HomeTestBest Way To Test For Chlamydia

Best Way To Test For Chlamydia

What Should I Expect During A Chlamydia Test

Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of chlamydia | Infectious diseases | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Your provider gives you a clean cup and asks you to urinate in it. Follow your providers instructions carefully when collecting a urine sample. Youll need to collect the urine as soon as it starts to come out .

If youre using an at-home chlamydia test, you will collect the sample yourself. Be sure to follow the instructions on the test kit carefully.

Why Do People Choose To Pay For Testing

Some people prefer to pay for a home chlamydia test kit. This has a few advantages:

  • No appointment you dont need to book an appointment in a GP or sexual health clinic. This means that some people find it easier to fit around their schedule
  • No face-to-face you dont need to have a face-to-face consultation if you prefer not to. This means that getting a home kit can be more discreet than going to a sexual health clinic
  • Discreet if you have a home test kit sent to your door it will be in discreet packaging and you wonât need to go into a clinic

Our service at Superdrug Online Doctor, you can buy a range of chlamydia test kits which comes in a discreet packaging and includes a prepaid envelope for you to send to our partner laboratory. These include:

  • Other test kits that include chlamydia tests

The chlamydia test itself is exactly the same whether you buy a home test kit or get tested in a clinic.

Are Free Chlamydia Tests As Reliable As Paid Ones

Yes, if theyâre done correctly free tests are a safe and reliable method of testing as long as they are carried out properly. In fact, the free test kits in clinics and the paid home test kits are exactly the same. If you get tested for chlamydia in a GP or sexual health clinic, they will either do the test for you or give you clear instructions on how to do it yourself.

The tests are quite accurate but, its not 100% guaranteed. False test results are usually caused by a mistake when taking the sample or even in the lab. This risk can be lowered if you follow either instructions given by your doctor or on the home test kits.

Whatâs makes them less accurate? factors such as drugs or alcohol should not make the result of your chlamydia test less accurate. Being on your period also should not make the result of the test less accurate.

If you are worried about a false result you can do the chlamydia test twice. If you get two results that are the same, then the result is almost guaranteed to be accurate. If you get tested for chlamydia at a GP or sexual health clinic, however, you are normally only offered one test.

Also Check: Can I Have Chlamydia Without Discharge

Can Chlamydia Affect My Fertility

A chlamydia or gonorrhea infection may cause inflammation or scarring of the reproductive organs. Sometimes, this may lead to infertility . Both men and women can experience fertility problems after a chlamydia infection. Your risk of infertility increases if you delay treatment.

Women with untreated gonorrhea or chlamydia can also develop a condition known as pelvic inflammatory disease . PID sometimes causes your reproductive organs to swell, triggering chronic pelvic pain and making it difficult to conceive.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea can also trigger early laborâand pregnant women with chlamydia can spread the infection to their babies during delivery .

Prompt treatment reduces your risk of complications, as undiagnosed chlamydia may put your health at risk. Regular STI testing can help with early diagnosis of the infection, and most people who receive treatment for chlamydia make a full recovery.

Learning more about the different types of STDs someone can getâlike chlamydiaâcan help you care for your sexual health. To easily check for chlamydia from the comfort of home, simply collect a urine sample and send it to a lab with prepaid shipping using the Everlywell at-home Gonorrhea and Chlamydia test kit.

If I Get Tested For Stis At The Health Center Will It Go On My Academic Record

How Chlamydia Is Diagnosed

No, this information is kept strictly confidential and is not shared with the university in any way. Your information will go on your medical record in One Chart | Patient, but only you have access to this information and you choose who you share it with.

What is the cost?

Doctor-ordered chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV tests are covered by student fees. University students who are 24 or younger who do not have or cannot use insurance may qualify for a grant that covers some or all of the cost of most other STI testing at the health center. If you are interested in utilizing grant funds, speak to a medical receptionist or provider during your appointment for more details

Any charges you incur can be billed to your insurance. Nebraska Medicine participates with many insurance companies. Please bring your insurance card with you to your appointment.

Remember, if you use insurance, the primary insurance holder will receive information about what STI tests you received. If you pay for your STI tests by cash, check, Visa or Mastercard, you and only you will know what STI tests you received. If you do not want to submit your charge to insurance, please tell the front desk staff member at check-in.

Don’t Miss: What Is The Test For Chlamydia Called

Isolation Of C Trachomatis In Cell Culture

Established cell lines for isolation of C. trachomatis include Mc Coy, HeLa 229 or Buffalo Green Monkey Kidney cells. Swabs from different anatomical sites are suitable specimens for culture but must be collected using special devices and transport media . Specimens were centrifuged onto confluent cell monolayer and analyzed for the development of characteristic intracytoplasmatic inclusions after 4872 h by staining with Giemsa, iodine, or fluorescence labelled antibodies to chlamydial antigens . When using MOMP-specific antibodies for staining cell culture, detection is highly specific , and thus it was long considered the reference test for CT detection. On the other hand, as culture depends on vital organisms the detection rate is at best 60%80%, even when performed in laboratories with experienced technicians . Sensitivity of culture may be impaired by inadequate specimen collection, storage and transport, toxic substances in clinical specimens and overgrowth of cell cultures by commensal microbes. Additional disadvantages are represented by the extended turn-around time, labor intensity and difficulties in standardization. Thus, cell culture is rarely used nowadays in diagnostic laboratories, but the methodology is still needed, at least in some reference laboratories, to monitor antibiotic susceptibility and changes of virulence, or when a test with the highest specificity is required as in case of suspected sexual assault.

How Do I Tell My Partner I Have An Sti

Some conversations seem really hard to have. Telling someone you have an STI may be one of them. But its not just about you your partner needs to know so he or she can get tested and treated if necessary.

Everyone gets an STI from a person. Part of stopping the spread of STIs is open communication, so talk to your partner. This is never an easy conversation, but its an important one to have. Many couples report this conversation actually brings them closer together.

Make a plan. As soon as youre ready, bring it up with your partner. You could talk to someone else about it first and practice what youre going to say. You could also journal about it or practice talking in a mirror. You could even write your partner a letter. The main point is just to communicate. Be there for your partner the way you hope they would be there for you.

Testing positive and talking to your partner about having an STI may feel overwhelming. Remember that CAPS is a resource for you if you need it. Visit their website for more information.

Read Also: How Long Can Chlamydia Last Without Treatment

Best For A Fast Response Time: Prioritystd

  • Pros: FDA-approved, HIPPA-compliant system, treatment and counseling available, fast results, same-day testing
  • Cons: samples collected at testing centers, the company does not accept health insurance

Individuals complete a three-step testing process with PrioritySTD testing. First, they visit the companys website and enter their zip code to find the nearest collection site.

Once a person places their order, they visit a local lab where a healthcare professional will take their sample. They should receive results in 2472 hours. The company also offers treatment options for those with positive results.

Positive reviews mention fast test results, confidentiality, and customer service. Priority STD has a 4.9 out of 5-star average from over 2,000 customer reviews on Trustpilot.

Alongside individual tests for chlamydia, the company offers various other kits that test for single or multiple STIs.

Im Pregnant How Does Chlamydia Affect My Baby

Normalizing Chlamydia ScreeningHow to Talk to Patients

If you are pregnant and have chlamydia, you can pass the infection to your baby during delivery. This could cause an eye infection or pneumonia in your newborn. Having chlamydia may also make it more likely to deliver your baby too early.

If you are pregnant, you should get tested for chlamydia at your first prenatal visit. Testing and treatment are the best ways to prevent health problems.

Don’t Miss: How To Get Treated For Chlamydia

Are At Home Std Tests Accurate

Yes, theyre highly accurate. At-home testing technology is as accurate as the tests ordered by doctors during a traditional visit, which isnt a surprise since the tests are designed and analyzed by certified diagnostic labs. In fact, as long as you follow the instructions properly, some at-home testing can actually produce more accurate results.

  • At-home tests use the same collection methodologies.
  • At-home test samples are processed in the same kind of labs as in-lab tests and held to the same rigid quality standards.
  • The best at-home test kits are very trustworthy. They and their components are either FDA-approved or considered by the FDA to not require redundant approval because the tests and components were designed by certified medical labs for accuracy.
  • Whether testing at home or in the lab, the accuracy of results depends on proper administration of the test.
  • Reliable results also require that we understand window periods of different STDs. If we dont understand window periods, its more likely for us to be misled even by highly accurate tests. See the testing FAQ section in this guide for more information about testing windows.

What Tests Can Detect Chlamydia

There are a few different tests that look for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis, the bacterium that causes this STI. These tests can be performed if you have symptoms or as a routine screening if you are sexually active.

Healthcare providers and clinics may differ in which tests they prefer to use. The most common tests are nucleic acid amplification tests .

These can be run on a:

  • Endocervical swab, which is a swab of the area around the opening of the uterus, or womb
  • Vaginal swab, which is a swab of the walls of the

If you’ve been tested or treated for other STIs, don’t assume that chlamydia was included. Not only does chlamydia require its own test, but the treatments for some of the other STIs are ineffective against chlamydia.

Keep in mind that a pap smear, or a routine procedure that screens for cervical cancer, does not detect chlamydia.

You May Like: What Gets Rid Of Chlamydia

How To Get Tested For Chlamydia

If you’re wondering how to test for chlamydia safely, here are several ways you can do so. Depending on your medical history and health concerns, your healthcare provider may suggest more than one test to see if you have a sexually transmitted infection. A panel might require a blood sample, genital swab, or urine sample.

While chlamydia isn’t a bloodborne disease, blood tests can determine whether you have chlamydia antibodies, which can reveal current or past chlamydia infections.

A penile or vaginal swab is another method your healthcare provider may use to test for STIs. For this type of test, your doctor uses a cotton swab for specimen collection.

Can you test for chlamydia through urine? The answer to this question is âyes,â and itâs quite a common testing method. In fact, you can use a urine sample to test for chlamydia at home. With the Everlywell Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test, you simply urinate in a collection cup and place your urine specimen in the mail. Your sample is then tested in a CLIA-certified laboratory. The lab that tests your sample uses molecular testing techniquesâknown as nucleic acid amplification testsâwhich identify the DNA of gonorrhea and chlamydia in your sample.

What Happens During A Gonorrhea Test

Products

If you are a man, your provider may take a swab from the opening of your urethra.

For both men and women, a sample may be taken from a suspected area of infection, such as the mouth or rectum. Urine tests are also used for both men and women.

Some gonorrhea tests can be done with an at-home STD test kit. If your health care provider recommends at-home testing, be sure to follow all directions carefully.

Your health care provider may order tests for other STDs when you get a gonorrhea test. These may include tests for chlamydia, syphilis, and/or HIV.

Donât Miss: What Can Chlamydia Do To You

Don’t Miss: Side Effects Of Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

Heres How The Average At Home Chlamydia Test Works:

  • Once you order a chlamydia test online, you can expect an average of 5 business days to receive your test. Its important to note that in most cases, chlamydia will not be detectable for two weeks after you have had unprotected sex with a suspected infected partner.
  • When you receive your at home chlamydia test, you will need to closely follow the instructions as outlined by the provider. The majority of tests will require you to simply collect a urine sample, some tests will also require you to take a swab sample.
  • After you have collected your sample following the instructions as outlined by the provider, you simply mail your sample back to the laboratory using the self addressed envelope enclosed in the package.
  • On average, it takes three business days to receive your test results from your provider, however, the waiting times will depend on the provider of the test.
  • In general, the at home STD test provider will offer support and guidance once the test results are available, particularly if you have an out of range or abnormal result. This will of course depend on the provider. Find out which at home STD test providers do and dont offer ongoing support here.
  • Which Std Tests Should I Get

    If you are sexually active, getting tested for STDs is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. Make sure you have an open and honest conversation about your sexual history and STD testing with your doctor and ask whether you should be tested for STDs. If you are not comfortable talking with your regular health care provider about STDs, there are many clinics that provide confidential and free or low-cost testing.

    Below is a brief overview of STD testing recommendations. STD screening information for healthcare providers can be found here.

  • Anyone who engages in sexual behaviors that could place them at risk for infection or shares injection drug equipment should get tested for HIV at least once a year.
  • should talk with their healthcare provider about throat and rectal testing options.
  • You can quickly find a place to be tested for STDs by entering your zip code in the form below.

    Find an STD testing site near you.

    Don’t Miss: Will Chlamydia Go Away On Its Own

    How Do They Test For Chlamydia In Men

    Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial infections that are spread through sexual intercourse not only in the United States but in several other areas of the world too. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1.7 million cases of this sexually transmitted infection were reported in 2018. This data accounts for the United States alone. The World Health Organization estimates that about 2.7% of men around the world have been infected with Chlamydia between 2009 and 2016.

    Due to the fact that chlamydia is a condition that affects male and female patients in unique ways, it is important to consider the differences in testing for these conditions too. In this post, we will consider some unique ways that chlamydia tends to affect men and take a look at what tests are performed to identify the presence of this bacterial infection in a male patient.

    How Does Chlamydia Affect A Pregnant Person And Their Baby

    What is chlamydia? | Infectious diseases | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

    In newborns, untreated chlamydia can cause:

    • ophthalmia neonatorum ,

    Prospective studies show that chlamydial conjunctivitis and pneumonia occur in 18-44% and 3-16%, respectively, of infants born to those with chlamydia. 9-12 Neonatal prophylaxis against gonococcal conjunctivitis routinely performed at birth does not effectively prevent chlamydial conjunctivitis.37-39

    Screening for and treating chlamydia in pregnant people is the best way to prevent disease in infants. At the first prenatal visit and during the third trimester, screen:

    • All pregnant people under age 25 and
    • All pregnant people 25 years and older at increased risk for chlamydia .

    Retest those with infection four weeks and three months after they complete treatment.40

    Read Also: What Are The Long Term Effects Of Chlamydia

    Symptoms Of Chlamydia In Men And Women

    What symptoms will you experience if you have chlamydia?

    This depends on whether you are a female or male. Lets take a look at both symptom types for each respective gender:

    Chlamydia Symptoms in Women

    • Vaginal discharge that is abnormal and may be accompanied by a strange odor

    Chlamydia Symptoms in Men

    • Burning or itching around the penal opening
    • Swelling or pain around the testicles

    If you have any of these symptoms, its time to order an at home Chlamydia test. These tests are taken in the comfort of your home, and offer the utmost in privacy and confidentiality. You can be treated for this disease, but it requires that you take action immediately, especially if youre a woman.

    Women who are currently pregnant or become pregnant and have chlamydia can pass the disease onto their child. If you seek treatment that is successful, your child will not have this disease. Disease will be contracted during childbirth itself, and can cause:

    Complications do occur during childbirth in some cases. If you are pregnant, you should be tested for chlamydia at your very first prenatal visit. Getting tested is the smart choice for any mother to be, and this is essential if you have more than one sex partner and you engage in unprotected sex.

    If you are suffering from any of the symptoms listed above, its time to get tested.

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular