Can You Do A Chlamydia Test At Home

Each Year There Are Approximately 15 Million Cases Of Chlamydia And 350000 Cases Of Gonorrhea Reported To The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

However this may not accurately reflect the total number of infected individuals, as most people with these infections have no symptoms and go untested. These bacterial infections are spread through sexual intercourse . This test will not be able to tell you the specific site of the infection, but will detect the infection if present.

Pregnant women with an active gonorrhea or chlamydia infection at the time of vaginal delivery can spread the infection directly to their children during birth. All sexually active women under age 25 and women over age 25 with risk factors for contracting chlamydia or gonorrhea should get tested every year: risk factors include unprotected sex, new sexual partners, or multiple sexual partners. Men at risk for chlamydia or gonorrhea should get tested each year, and more often as needed: risk factors include having sex with a partner who has chlamydia or gonorrhea, men who have sex with men, unprotected sexual intercourse, and multiple sex partners.

Home Testing For Chlamydia

Recently, test kiting kits for chlamydia have become more and more popular. There are different kits you can buy online for confidential and accurate results. The reason for that is relatively simple, for many people, especially the younger population, its extremely embarrassing to ask to get treated or tested for STIs.

As a result, many would rather avoid going to the doctor altogether. But, your sexual health is just as important as your overall health, and getting tested is the key to managing your health. Thats exactly why STIs test kiting kits were manufactured.

If you dont like face-to-face contact with your healthcare provider, there are various test kiting kits you can use.

Book Your Instant Chlamydia Test

Your instant Chlamydia test can also be arranged via Better2Knows online booking system. Simply select the orange button at the top of the screen. If you have any additional questions regarding STIs or Better2Knows private sexual health testing services, you can contact our sexual health advisors using the number listed above.

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How We Chose The Best At

To narrow down at-home gonorrhea tests for this list, we dove into patient feedback, cost, result accuracy, result timeline, and ease of use.

Next, we broke them down into the categories like best on a budget and most comprehensive so that you can find the best at-home gonorrhea test for you.

As you scroll down, youll notice that each of the four at-home gonorrhea tests below also test for chlamydia. Thats because both bacterial infections are often asymptomatic, but present with similar symptoms, when symptoms are present.

What Happens During A Chlamydia Test

Chlamydia testing can be as simple as peeing in a cup. Sometimes the test is done by gently rubbing your genitals with a cotton swab, to take cell samples from your urethra, vagina, cervix, or anus. The samples are tested for chlamydia bacteria. Your doctor may also be able to see chlamydia symptoms, like discharge on your cervix, during an exam.

Chlamydia can look like other common STDs like gonorrhea, so your nurse or doctor might test for a few infections.

The idea of getting tested may seem scary, but try not to freak out. STD testing is a regular part of being a responsible person and taking care of your health. The good news is chlamydia is totally curable with medication so the sooner you know you have it, the faster you can get rid of it.

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What Is The Treatment For Chlamydia

Chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics. HIV-positive persons with chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV-negative.

Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sexual activity for 7 days after single dose antibiotics or until completion of a 7-day course of antibiotics, to prevent spreading the infection to partners. It is important to take all of the medication prescribed to cure chlamydia. Medication for chlamydia should not be shared with anyone. Although medication will cure the infection, it will not repair any permanent damage done by the disease. If a persons symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment, he or she should return to a health care provider to be reevaluated.

Repeat infection with chlamydia is common.49 Women whose sex partners have not been appropriately treated are at high risk for re-infection. Having multiple chlamydial infections increases a womans risk of serious reproductive health complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy.50,51 Women and men with chlamydia should be retested about three months after treatment of an initial infection, regardless of whether they believe that their sex partners were successfully treated.40

Infants infected with chlamydia may develop ophthalmia neonatorum and/or pneumonia.10 Chlamydial infection in infants can be treated with antibiotics.

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How Does Chlamydia Spread

Testing is essential to stop the spreading of this STD. Chlamydia can be transmitted in a variety of ways, including:

• Vaginal intercourse
• Anal sex
• Oral sex

One of the biggest misconceptions is that this disease is transmitted only through ejaculation. But this is not the case. Even if the male does not ejaculate, his partner can still contract the disease.

Any form of unprotected sex can result in contracting chlamydia.

If youve had this disease in the past, you are not immune from it. There is still a chance that you can contract chlamydia if you have unprotected sex.

Children can also contract chlamydia from the mother. If you are pregnant and contract chlamydia, there is a very high chance that your baby will also contract the disease during childbirth itself.

In the United States alone, there are over 200,000 new cases per year of chlamydia. The medical diagnosis is important when seeking treatment, and an at home Chlamydia test is your best option for privacy concerns.

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Anything Else I Should Know

Chlamydia is spread through any form of unsafe sex. So if your test shows that you have chlamydia, its really important that you let your sexual partners know that you have it, as they may have it too. Your current sexual partner and any recent partners should all get tested and treated.

The staff at the clinic can get in touch with your partners confidentially if youre not up to it.

To make sure that you donât re-infect each other, you must not have any sex or share sex toys with your partner until seven days after you have both completed your treatment.

Re-test after six weeks to confirm that treatment has been successful and that the test result was accurate.

If your original test was positive its also important to get a repeat test after three months. We will contact you to remind you.

Testing For Stds At Home Vs In A Lab

Yes, you now can test reliably for all STDs either at home or in a lab. Not only are these testing options more convenient than in the past, but theyre also highly discreet and accurate.

So how should you choose between testing at home or testing in a lab? The choice is partly about personal preference and comfort, though there are situations in which we advise an in-lab testing experience. Here is a handy chart to help you decide.

As you can see, there are certain situations in which in-lab testing is ideal. Testing a lesion in the genital region for herpes is more reliable than any serological blood test will be, even though the latter is still incredibly accurate. Note that no at-home company offers every single test out there. Below, well get into each potential test type and let you know where you can get it.

Relying on a professional to conduct the test in a lab can still be useful. Even though at-home test kits use the same methods with comparable accuracy, you may prefer to have the test administered in a lab if theres a nagging voice in the back of your mind that doesnt entirely trust you to collect your sample.

If you decide to test in a lab setting, our top recommended provider is STDcheck .

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When To Test For Std

Many STDs can cause serious health complications, and it’s possible to have an STD without experiencing any warning signs or symptoms. As a result, testing is the only way to know for sure whether or not you have an STD that may require treatment and potentially be spread to a partner. Generally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual testing for sexually active men and women, particularly for those who have multiple partners or new partners.

Get Advice From A Health Professional First

It’s important to remember that, if you’re taking any medicines, they may affect your test results.

It’s worth getting advice from a health professional first, as using a self-test kit may not be appropriate for you.

It’s rare for a self-test kit to give a 100% guarantee that you have or do not have a particular condition.

It may not be as helpful as having a consultation with a GP or another health professional.

If you have any concerns, speak to a healthcare professional, such as a pharmacist, practice nurse or GP.

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What If I Test Positive

Even though test kiting for chlamydia isnt always reliable, if you do test positive, you should seek medical advice immediately. You will get tested again, but this time in a medical facility to make sure that you carry the infection. The sooner you get tested, the easier the treatment will be. Home testing kits are there to help you monitor your health, so if they do show you are positive, you shouldnt ignore these results.

What Tests Can I Order Online

Our online kits can test you for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV. They can also test you for syphilis, but may not be suitable if youve been treated for syphilis before. More information about these infections is available below:

Please only order the tests that you are going to do your results may be delayed if you do not complete and return all of your tests.

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Free Chlamydia Postal Test Kits

Chlamydia is very common, affects the 15-24 age group the most, and often goes untreated as it can have no symptoms.

Testing for chlamydia is really easy: it just involves peeing in a pot or taking a swab and you can order a postal test kit online.

Our online service is free and confidential, which means we wont share any details about your test. Youll get your results back within 10 working days, straight to your phone.

Chlamydia can be treated very easily by taking a course of antibiotics. However if left untreated it can seriously affect your health in a number of ways:

• It can cause infertility .
• It can cause reactive arthritis which affects your joints – this can be painful and cause long-term joint problems.

Find out if you’re eligible by entering your details on our order page. You need to be 16 or older to use this online ordering service. We’re currently able to offer this service in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Milton Keynes, Norfolk, Peterborough and Suffolk.

If you live in certain areas you’ll also be offered a test for gonorrhoea.

How Common Is Chlamydia

CDC estimates that there were four million chlamydial infections in 2018.3 Chlamydia is also the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States.4 However, a large number of cases are not reported because most people with chlamydia are asymptomatic and do not seek testing. Chlamydia is most common among young people. Two-thirds of new chlamydial infections occur among youth aged 15-24 years.3 It is estimated that 1 in 20 sexually active young women aged 14-24 years has chlamydia.5

Disparities persist among racial and ethnic minority groups. In 2019, reported chlamydia rates for African Americans/Blacks were nearly six times that of Whites.4 Chlamydia is also common among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men . Among MSM screened for rectal chlamydial infection, positivity has ranged from 3.0% to 10.5%.6,7 Among MSM screened for pharyngeal chlamydial infection, positivity has ranged from 0.5% to 2.3%.7.8

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What Happens If My Results Come Back Positive

If your results are negative, it doesnt necessarily mean youre STD-free. Incubation periods vary for STDs. If youve recently been exposed, it may mean that the STD cant be detected yet. This is one reason why its essential to test for STDs regularly.

Companies remind patients that tests provide information and education they do not diagnose or treat medical conditions. Tests shouldnt replace a consultation with a healthcare provider. We recommend that you share your results with your doctor to obtain medical advice and treatment.

Most STDs are treatable, and some of the most common ones are curable. The purpose of STD testing is to identify infections so that you can receive treatment.

For certain infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trich the physicians at LetsGetChecked, myLAB Box, and STDcheck can potentially prescribe medication for you immediately, which you could pick up at your local pharmacy. LetsGetchecked takes this a step further by shipping free medication directly to you.

However you acquire medication to treat an infection, be sure to follow its course exactly and get retested if necessary to confirm whether the treatment was effective.

How Do You Test For Oral Chlamydia

This test does not check for oral chlamydia . But, we also offer an Oral Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea Test, which can detect chlamydia in the mouth and throat.

The Oral chlamydia and Gonorrhoea Test is easy to use and is between 91% and 100% sensitive at picking up infections. You take the test using an oral swab which you then send off in the post.

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What Happens If I Don’t Get Treated

The initial damage that Chlamydia causes often goes unnoticed. However, Chlamydia can lead to serious health problems.

If you are a woman, untreated Chlamydia can spread to your uterus and fallopian tubes , causing pelvic inflammatory disease . PID often has no symptoms, however some women may have abdominal and pelvic pain. Even if it doesnt cause symptoms initially, PID can cause permanent damage to your reproductive system and lead to long-term pelvic pain, inability to get pregnant, and potentially deadly ectopic pregnancy .

Men rarely have health problems linked to Chlamydia. Infection sometimes spreads to the tube that carries sperm from the testicles, causing pain and fever. Rarely, Chlamydia can prevent a man from being able to have children.

Untreated Chlamydia may also increase your chances of getting or giving HIV the virus that causes AIDS.

How Does The Test Work

Simply enter your postcode and date of birth to order your test kit.

The test kit includes either a pot for a urine sample or a swab, a form, safe packaging and a freepost envelope.

When your kit arrives, fill out the short form in capital letters. Fill in the label and stick it on the screw top bottle. Follow the instructions provided to take your sample and then post it off with your form in the freepost envelope.

Supply of swabs is currently limited as a result of coronavirus testing so some people who would normally receive a swab kit may receive a urine sample kit instead.

If you’re taking a urine sample, make sure you havent peed within the last one hour if you have, wait until later.

Regular tests help reduce the risk and spread of infection so keep testing!

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Chlamydia Treatment At Your Appointment

If you test positive for Chlamydia, your Better2Know doctor will go through your instant Chlamydia test results and provide a prescription for the medication you require. There is no additional cost to you for this service. The most common treatment for Chlamydia is a single dose of antibiotics but occasionally alternative treatments might be advised depending on your personal circumstances. It is important to complete the full course of treatment and allow a full week to pass following your last dose before engaging in sexual activities to prevent onward infection.

How Do I Know If I Have Chlamydia

Most people who have Chlamydia have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may not appear until several weeks after you have intimate relations with an infected partner. Even when Chlamydia causes no symptoms, it can damage your reproductive system.

Women with symptoms may notice

• An abnormal discharge
• A burning sensation when urinating.

Symptoms in men can include

• A discharge from their organ
• A burning sensation when urinating
• Pain and swelling in one or both testicles .

Men and women can also get infected with Chlamydia in their rectum, either by having receptive intimate relations, or by spread from another infected site. While these infections often cause no symptoms, they can cause

• Rectal pain
• Discharge
• Bleeding.

You should be examined by your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or if your partner has an STD or symptoms of an STD, such as an unusual sore, a smelly discharge, burning when urinating, or bleeding between periods.

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Best For Payment Options: Healthlabscom

HealthLabs.com

Type of Testing:Lab-based testing

STI Tests Available:Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, HIV, early HIV, Hepatitis B & C, herpes type 1 and 2

Time to Receive Results: 1 to 3 business days

Cost: $129 to $444

Like most lab-based testing companies, with HealthLabs.com you choose which STI tests youre interested in and order them online or by phone. That order is then sent to a lab near you, where you provide a urine and/or blood sample. This company has an option for HIV tests that can detect a new infection, and they also provide good information about appropriate testing windows for all of their options. You can use an FSA or HSA card to pay for these tests. They have specialists who will help you understand your results, and physicians are available for a consultation if your results mandate it.