Chlamydia Urine Test Vs Swab

How Is Chlamydia Spread Chlamydia Urine Test Vs Swab

You can get chlamydia by having genital, rectal, or foreplay with a person who has chlamydia.

If you have actually had chlamydia and were treated in the past, you can still get contaminated once more. This can happen if you have vulnerable sex with somebody who has chlamydia.

If you are pregnant, you can give chlamydia to your baby throughout giving birth.

Comparing Urine Sti Tests To Other Sti Tests

Some people still question whether urine testing is as effective at detecting bacterial STI like chlamydia and gonorrhea. These questions usually focus on the efficacy of the tests in women. Why?

The most common site of female infection is not on the pathway that urine travels out of the body. In contrast, urine passes through the most common site of infection , in men.

A 2015 review that examined 21 studies on the relative effectiveness of using different types of samples to detect chlamydia and gonorrhea found that:

• For chlamydia testing in women, the sensitivity and specificity were 87% and 99%, respectively, for urine samples compared to cervical samples.
• For chlamydia testing in men, the sensitivity and specificity were 88% and 99%. respectively, for urine samples compared to urethral samples.
• For gonorrhea testing in women, the sensitivity and specificity were 79% and 99%, respectively, for urine samples compared to cervical samples.
• For gonorrhea testing in men, the sensitivity and specificity were 92% and 99%, respectively, for urine samples compared to urethral samples.

By and large, these results are relatively consistent across studies. Interestingly, self-collected vaginal swabs were closer in effectiveness to cervical swabs than urine testing. For some women, those may be a more acceptable alternative to a pelvic exam if urine testing isn’t available.

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.

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What To Think About

• If a chlamydia infection is suspected, do not have sexual intercourse until the test results have come back. If you have a chlamydia infection, do not have sexual intercourse for 7 days after the start of treatment. Your sex partner should also be treated for a chlamydia infection so that you don’t get reinfected and so that others don’t get infected.
• Screening for and treating chlamydia can help prevent pelvic inflammatory disease . To learn more about the treatment of a chlamydia infection, see the topic Chlamydia.
• Other sexually transmitted infections may be present at the same time as chlamydia. So it is important to be tested and treated for all STIs. Chlamydia as well as other STIs can also increase the chance of getting human immunodeficiency virus . An HIV test may be offered at the same time as a test for chlamydia or other STIs.

What Does The Chlamydia Test Involve

The recommended tests for chlamydia are simple, painless and generally very reliable.

They involve sending a sample of cells to a laboratory for analysis. You don’t necessarily have to be examined by a doctor or nurse first and can often collect the sample yourself.

There are two main ways the sample can be collected:

• urinating into a container this should ideally be done at least 1 hour after you last urinated

The results will normally be available in 7 to 10 days. If there’s a high chance you have chlamydia for example, you have symptoms of the infection or your partner has been diagnosed with it and you’ve had unprotected sex with them you might start treatment before you get your results.

Read more about treating chlamydia.

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Specimen Collection And Handling

What Does The Test Measure

Chlamydia testing looks for evidence of infection with the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. There are several types of tests that can be used to detect chlamydia, including molecular testing, also called Nucleic Acid Amplification Test , and cell culture.

Other types of chlamydia tests are available but are rarely used given the accuracy and availability of NAAT.

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Submission And Collection Notes

Do not use expired kits.

Prior to sampling, the patient should not have urinated for at least one hour. Female patients must not clean the labial area before collection. If the patient has used Replens® vaginal moisturizer, the specimen should be recollected as it will not be tested.

Collect approximately 10-50 mL of first-void urine in a sterile container. Using the provided disposable pipette, transfer urine from the sterile container to the Roche cobas® PCR Urine Sample Kit until the fluid level is between the two black fill lines. Tightly re-cap the Roche cobas®PCR Urine sample tube, and invert 5 times to mix. Urine specimens must be transferred into the Roche cobas® PCR Urine sample tube immediately for stabilization. If specimens cannot be transferred immediately, they can be stored at 2-30°C for up to 24 hours.

The Roche cobas®PCR Urine Sample Kits serve as a nucleic acid stabilizing transport and storage medium for urine specimens. The transferred urine must be between the black fill lines for accurate testing. Inadequate volumes will be cancelled.

If there is an excess of blood in the urine specimen , it should be discarded and recollected when appropriate. If received at the laboratory, these specimens will be cancelled. The Roche cobas®PCR Urine Sample Kits serve as a nucleic acid stabilizing transport and storage medium for urine specimens. The transferred urine must be between the black fill lines for accurate testing. Inadequate volumes will be cancelled.

What Happens During A Chlamydia Test

To do a chlamydia test, you will need to provide a sample of fluid from the part of your body that may be infected. There are two ways to gather the sample:

• A first-catch urine sample. You use a sterile cup to a collect urine from the very first part of your urine stream. To get an accurate test result, you will need to stop urinating for two hours before the test.
• A swab sample. Your provider will use a special swab or brush to gather cells, usually from the genital area . This may cause some brief discomfort. In certain cases, the rectum, cervix, throat, or eyes may be swabbed. Your provider may give you the option to swab yourself following special instructions.

Test results are usually ready in a day. There are some rapid chlamydia tests that can provide results in 90 minutes or less.

You can also buy at-home collection kits to test for chlamydia and other STDs. With these kits, you collect a swab or urine sample at home and send it to a lab for testing. It’s important to follow all the instructions carefully.

You should not use an at-home test if you have symptoms of chlamydia or if your partner has chlamydia. In that case, it’s important to talk with your provider right away so you don’t delay treatment.

Ask your provider whether at-home chlamydia testing is right for you.

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When Should I Call My Doctor About A Chlamydia Test

A note from Cleveland Clinic

A chlamydia test is essential to limiting the spread of this sexually transmitted infection. Its especially important to get screened for chlamydia regularly if youre at a higher risk of this STI. Untreated, the infection can cause health problems and you can spread it to your partner. While youre waiting for results and during treatment, avoid having sex. Wait until your provider says its safe to have sex again. Be sure to use a condom and practice safe sex to avoid getting an STI.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/28/2022.

References

Chlamydia Signs In Male

Many males do not discover the symptoms of chlamydia. The majority of men have no signs in all.

If signs and symptoms do show up, its generally 1 to 3 weeks after transmission.

Several of the most typical signs of chlamydia in guys consist of:

• melting experience during urination
• discomfort in the lower abdomen
• discomfort in the testicles

Its likewise possible to obtain a chlamydia infection in the rectum. In this instance, the main signs are usually discharge, pain, as well as hemorrhaging from this area.

Having foreplay with somebody who has the infection elevates the danger of getting chlamydia in the throat. Signs can include an aching throat, coughing, or high temperature. Its likewise feasible to carry germs in the throat as well as not know it. Chlamydia Urine Test Vs Swab

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Why Do I Need A Chlamydia Test

Chlamydia is a very common STD, especially in sexually active people ages 15 to 24. But chlamydia usually doesn’t cause symptoms, so the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health organizations recommend regular screening tests if your risk of getting chlamydia is high.

If you are a woman or a transgender or gender diverse person with a cervix , you should:

• Get tested for chlamydia at least once a year if you are:
• Younger than 25 and having sex
• Age 25 or older and have a higher risk of getting chlamydia because you:
• Have a new sex partner or more than one partner
• Have a sex partner who is having sex with others
• Have a sex partner with an STD
• Don’t use condoms correctly every time

Regular chlamydia testing at least once a year is also recommended if you:

The best testing schedule for you may be different than the recommendations. Ask your provider how often you should get tested.

Your provider will order a test if your sex partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia or if you have symptoms. Symptoms of chlamydia may include:

• An unusual discharge from your genitals or rectum
• Irritation or itching around your genitals
• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Rectal pain or bleeding if chlamydia infects the rectum

Male Issues Of Unattended Chlamydia

Guy can likewise experience complications when chlamydia is left unattended. The epididymis television that holds the testicles in place might become irritated, triggering pain. This is referred to as epididymitis.

The infection can additionally infect the prostate gland, creating a fever, unpleasant intercourse, as well as pain in the lower back. An additional feasible complication is male chlamydial urethritis.

These are just several of one of the most usual issues of neglected chlamydia, which is why it is necessary to obtain clinical focus as soon as possible. Lots of people that obtain treatment promptly have no lasting medical problems. Chlamydia Urine Test Vs Swab

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Hi there, Im Melissa and welcome to Genier. Im not ashamed to admit that Ive dealt with an STD before and recovered. It was not a pleasant experience but Im glad I got myself tested. If theres one message that you can take away from my site is get tested today! Stay safe.

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When Should I Get Chlamydia Testing

As most people infected with chlamydia do not experience symptoms, doctors rely on screening to detect most cases of chlamydia. Screening guidelines vary based on many factors, including your anatomy, health, and sexual practices. Regular screening for chlamydia is recommended for several groups:

• Women and anyone with a vagina: Those who are sexually active and under the age of 25 should be tested for chlamydia annually, while those aged 25 and older should be screened regularly only if they are at an increased risk of contracting chlamydia.
• Pregnant people: Chlamydia testing is recommended for all pregnant people under age 25 and for those 25 and over with an increased risk of this infection. In addition to initial testing, experts recommend retesting during the third trimester for people with an elevated risk of infection. For pregnant patients diagnosed with chlamydia, follow-up testing is advised four weeks after completing treatment and again within three months.

Certain factors increase the risk of contracting chlamydia and may affect how often a person may be screened. Risk factors include having:

• Sex with a new partner
• More than one sexual partner or a partner who has sex with multiple people
• A sex partner diagnosed with an STD

Testing for chlamydia is more frequently conducted in asymptomatic people in settings where infection rates are high, which often includes correctional facilities, adolescent health clinics, the military, and sexual health clinics.

Women Problems Of Without Treatment Chlamydia

Some females create PID, an infection that can harm the uterus, cervix, and also ovaries. PID is an uncomfortable condition that usually requires medical facility therapy.

Females can also come to be sterile if chlamydia is left neglected due to the fact that the fallopian tubes might end up being scarred.

Expectant ladies with the infection can pass the microorganisms to their children during birth, which can cause eye infections and pneumonia in babies. Chlamydia Urine Test Vs Swab

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What Should I Expect During A Chlamydia Test

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.

Urine Testing Vs Bacterial Culture

Urine testing is currently primarily used to detect bacterial STIs. Chlamydia and gonorrhea urine tests are widely available. Trichomoniasis urine tests are also available, but they are less common.

The gold standard for diagnosing bacterial STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, used to be a bacterial culture. That involved attempting to grow bacteria out of samples that were taken directly from the cervix or urethra.

These days, bacterial DNA testing is considered a better option. It works differently than a bacterial culture. Instead of trying to grow bacteria, these tests just look for bacterial DNA. This can be done using a process called ligase chain reaction or with other DNA amplification techniques.

These types of testing are sensitive to even very small amounts of bacterial DNA. Even better, they do not require a live bacterial sample. As such, they can be run on urine samplesnot just urethral or cervical swabs.

For most people, the thought of getting a gonorrhea urine test or chlamydia urine test is a lot less intimidating than the thought of needing a physical exam.

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Do You Need An Std Test

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Just How Usual Is Chlamydia

In 2017, more than 1.7 million cases of chlamydia were reported to the Centers for Disease Control as well as Avoidance . Nevertheless, several situations go unreported, so the real variety of chlamydia infections annually may be closer to 3 million.

Males and female can both obtain the infection, however more situations in ladies are reported.

Infection prices are greatest among younger women, with the highest prices of infection occurring in women between ages 15 and 24.

The CDC recommends that all sexually energetic ladies ages 25 years and younger obtain screened for chlamydia annually, as well as older females with danger aspects like numerous or brand-new companions.

Statistically, an individual is more probable to get an STI if they have actually made love with more than someone. Other danger variables consist of having had an STI in the past, or presently have an infection since this can lower resistance.

Rates for chlamydia and various other STIs have actually been climbing up in recent times.

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How Do We Test At The Doctor

At The Doctor, we get to know you. We encourage patients to be honest, upfront, and out about all issues from sexuality, to mental disposition, to sexual activity. We want to know you so that we can help you stay healthy and active.

We run a no judgement zone type of clinic where you can be yourself, own your sexuality, and feel comfortable telling us how you engage sexually.

Based on that sexual history, well identify the type of STI testing you need to make sure we test and treat appropriately. Thats the kind of approach that only comes from a practice that truly understand you and your lifestyle.