Get Tested For Gonorrhea And Chlamydia

What Types Of Chlamydia And Gonorrhoea Tests Are There

The most common test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea is a simple urine or swab test, which is what Superdrug Online Doctor offers. This is the same type of test that you would get in any sexual health clinic. This test is easy to use at home, or with the help of a clinician, and provides highly accurate results.

While chlamydia is not a bloodborne infection, blood tests can pick up the presence of chlamydia antibodies. But, blood tests cannot be used to diagnose chlamydia as they can only detect whether you have had chlamydia in the past and developed antibodies against it. It cannot confirm if you have a current infection.

Why should I get tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea?

Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, as well as other sexually transmitted infections, is important to keep yourself and your partners safe. Regular testing makes sure that, if you do pick up an infection, you can get treated as soon as possible. Left untreated, these infections can cause serious health problems, like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

Getting tested regularly also helps you reduce the spread of these infections. Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK, and making sure you get tested before having sex with a new partner helps to protect them from a potential infection. Some people choose to do a home chlamydia and gonorrhoea test when they meet a new partner to check they do not have either of these sexually transmitted infections .

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About The Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea Test For Women

• What the test is for

  This kit tests women for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the vagina. The kit is for you if you do NOT have any symptoms, and if you have sex with men and/or women.

  If you are unsure whether you need this test, you can take our free STI assessment. If you have symptoms, we recommend attending your local sexual health clinic.

• Required samples for the chlamydia and gonorrhoea test

  To test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, you will need to provide a vaginal swab.

  The test kit contains all the information and equipment you will need to safely collect this sample at home.

• When to take the chlamydia and gonorrhoea test

  We recommend doing the test 2 weeks after the unprotected sex. Tests done too early may not be accurate.

  However, if you think you might have chlamydia or gonorrhoea, you can test immediately and repeat the test two weeks after having sex .

• Accessing results

  Test results are normally ready within 3 working days of your sample arriving at our partner laboratory. You will receive a text and an email when your results are ready.

  If you dont receive your results within seven days of posting your sample, contact us via your Patient Record.

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.

Recommended Reading: How To Test Yourself For Chlamydia At Home

What Complications Can Result From Chlamydial Infection

The initial damage that chlamydia causes often goes unnoticed. However, chlamydial infections can lead to serious health problems with both short- and long-term consequences.

In women, untreated chlamydia can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease . Symptomatic PID occurs in about 10 to 15 percent of women with untreated chlamydia.30,31 However, chlamydia can also cause subclinical inflammation of the upper genital tract . Both acute and subclinical PID can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, tubal factor infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy.32,33

Some patients with chlamydial PID develop perihepatitis, or Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome, an inflammation of the liver capsule and surrounding peritoneum, which is associated with right upper quadrant pain.

In pregnant women, untreated chlamydia has been associated with pre-term delivery,34 as well as ophthalmia neonatorum and pneumonia in the newborn.

Reactive arthritis can occur in men and women following symptomatic or asymptomatic chlamydial infection, sometimes as part of a triad of symptoms formerly referred to as Reiters Syndrome.35

Std Testing In Hong Kongs Non

Aside from public Social Hygiene Clinics there are several non-governmental clinics that also offer STD testing in Hong Kong. However, for most of these clinics, you will need to cover the cost yourself, which can range from free AIDS/HIV test to comprehensive STD test packages costing HK$800. Below you can find a list of NGOs that test for STDs.

The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, the Mens and Womens Health Services: Mens Health Services in Wan Chai, Ma Tau Chung, and Tsuen Wan. Womens Health Services in Wan Chai, Ma Tau Chung, Yuen Long, Tsuen Wan, and Wong Tai Sin.

The FPAHK provides a Hepatitis B Initial Assessment Packaged Blood Test at HK$700 , as well as comprehensive STD testing for men and women.

For a complete guide to the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, read this.

Hong Kong AIDS Foundation

Tel.:

The foundation provides free of charge HIV/AIDS testing and is very helpful and understanding about your situation. While testing they can include free of charge syphilis and hepatitis C testing, but these two tests are low sensitivity tests .

AIDS Concern

Tel.:

AIDS Concern offers free, anonymous, same-day testing for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, targeting men who have sex with men or young people who are under 25 years old.

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What You Should Know Before Starting Your Treatment For Suspected Gonorrhea And Chlamydia:

• The ideal treatment for gonorrhea exposure is an injection, and all we can offer you is an oral medication. If you prefer to have us help you find a location to get an injection, all you have to do is let us know.

• If youve been exposed to gonorrhea and chlamydia, you could have also been exposed to other STDs like, HIV, syphilis or hepatitis, which require separate treatment and if left untreated, can cause serious complications, including infertility and death.

• People who receive treatment for a potential/suspected sexually transmitted infection dont always actually have it. Taking medication if you do not in fact have an infection can be dangerous, because if you do contract an infection in the future, your body will have developed resistance to treatment.

• The treatment youre about to receive for gonorrhea and chlamydia does not treat other STDs. We can order testing for some STDs and help you find evaluation and treatment for other STDs. All you have to do is let us know.

How Much Does The Test Cost

The cost of gonorrhea testing depends on several factors, including a persons insurance coverage, the type of gonorrhea test, and where the test is performed. If the gonorrhea test is ordered by a doctor, insurance normally covers most of the cost, except for copays and deductibles. Its important to check with your health care provider for more information about specific costs.

The cost of at-home gonorrhea testing can range from $50 to over $100.

Also Check: Can You Still Have Chlamydia After Treatment

Why Do I Need To Get Tested For An Sti

There are many reasons to test for a sexually transmissible infection .

You can have an STI test any time if you just want to look after yourself and your partner/s.

You should have an STI test at the following times:

• if you and a new partner are beginning a sexual relationship
• if you have had unprotected sex
• if you think you may have an STI
• if you just want a routine sexual health check
• if a condom broke
• if you are pregnant
• if you have symptoms or just feel something is not right.

If you have had sexual intercourse with someone new in the last two weeks, you may choose to go ahead and self-test now but you may need to repeat it in 2 weeks time if it is negative.

How Soon Is Chlamydia Contagious

Therefore, they do not know they have the disease. The incubation period for chlamydia is quite variable and may range from days to months after the initial exposure. The average time from exposure to the development of symptoms is usually about one to three weeks after sexual contact with an infected person.

Also Check: How Much Is The Pill For Chlamydia

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.

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.

When Should I Get Tested

Don’t delay getting tested if you think you might have chlamydia. Being diagnosed and treated as soon as possible will reduce your risk of developing any serious complications of chlamydia.

You can get a chlamydia test at any time although you might be advised to repeat the test later on if you have it less than 2 weeks since you had sex because the infection might not always be found in the early stages.

You should consider getting tested for chlamydia if:

• you think you could have a sexually transmitted infection
• a sexual partner tells you they have an STI
• you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy
• you’re offered a chlamydia test as part of the NCSP

If you live in England, you’re a woman under 25 and sexually active, it’s recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year, and when you have sex with new or casual partners.

If you live in England, you’re a man under 25 and sexually active, it’s recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year if you are not using condoms with new or casual partners.

If you have chlamydia, you may be offered another test 3 to 6 months after being treated. This is because young adults who test positive for chlamydia are at increased risk of catching it again.

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What Causes Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Its most commonly spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. While this infection mostly affects young women, men and women of any age can contract chlamydia.

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Once referred to as the clap, this infection is spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Similar to chlamydia, rates of infection tend to be higher in women but both genders can be affected.

Im Pregnant How Does Chlamydia Affect My Baby

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.

Recommended Reading: First Signs Of Chlamydia Female

Who Needs To Get Tested For Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

The recommendations for getting tested for chlamydia and for gonorrhea are the same.

For women:

• If you’re age 24 or younger and having sex, get tested once every year
• If you’re age 25 or older, get tested if you have more than 1 sex partner, a new sex partner, or a sex partner with an STD

For men:

• Talk with a doctor to find out if you need to get tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other STDs

Parents Have A Role In Chlamydia Prevention

Parents can do two main things to help their kids avoid getting chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections , says Dombrowski. These two things are:

Read Also: Does Chlamydia Make You Nauseous

Also Check: When Does Chlamydia Show Up On A Test

About Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

Chlamydial is an STD caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Since the Chlamydial infection often has no external symptoms, one can be infected and not know it. Those who do get symptoms may experience abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis, and feel burning while urinating. These early symptoms can appear within one to three weeks after being infected. However, since Chlamydia symptoms may be mild or non-existent, one might not seek care and get treated.

Gonorrhea is an STD caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhea. These bacteria can infect the mouth, the rectum, and the genital tract. In women, the first place of infection is the cervix. Gonorrhea is more aggressive than Chlamydia and usually manifests in pus and pain for men, while for woman there are usually no symptoms. Just like Chlamydia, one can be infected with Gonorrhea for months without being aware of it.

How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed

There are a number of diagnostic tests for chlamydia, including nucleic acid amplification tests , cell culture, and others. NAATs are the most sensitive tests, and can be performed on easily obtainable specimens such as vaginal swabs or urine.43

Vaginal swabs, either patient- or clinician-collected, are the optimal specimen to screen for genital chlamydia using NAATs in women urine is the specimen of choice for men, and is an effective alternative specimen type for women.43 Self-collected vaginal swab specimens perform at least as well as other approved specimens using NAATs.44 In addition, patients may prefer self-collected vaginal swabs or urine-based screening to the more invasive endocervical or urethral swab specimens.45 Adolescent girls may be particularly good candidates for self-collected vaginal swab- or urine-based screening because pelvic exams are not indicated if they are asymptomatic.

NAATs have demonstrated improved sensitivity and specificity compared with culture for the detection of C. trachomatis at rectal and oropharyngeal sites.40 Certain NAAT test platforms have been cleared by FDA for these non-genital sites and data indicate NAAT performance on self-collected rectal swabs is comparable to clinician-collected rectal swabs. 40

Read Also: How Much Is It To Treat Chlamydia

Am I At Risk For Chlamydia

Anyone who has sex can get chlamydia through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. However, sexually active young people are at a higher risk of getting chlamydia. This is due to behaviors and biological factors common among young people. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are also at risk since chlamydia can spread through oral and anal sex.

Have an honest and open talk with your health care provider. Ask whether you should be tested for chlamydia or other STDs. If you are a sexually active woman younger than 25 years, you should get a test for chlamydia every year. If you are an older woman with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has an STD, you should get a test for chlamydia every year. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men as well as pregnant women should also get tested for chlamydia.

Symptoms Of Gonorrhea And Chlamydia

Sometimes someone with gonorrhea or chlamydia does not show any symptoms.

In fact, 75% of women and 50% of men with chlamydia exhibit no symptoms.

It is unclear how common it is with gonorrhea, but some estimates are that the majority of men and women show no symptoms.

Even with no symptoms, it is still possible to transmit the disease and damage the reproductive system. The key signs of gonorrhea and chlamydia can appear within one to three weeks after having sex with a partner with the STD.

There are some differences in how both STDs present in men vs women, but in general the most common reported symptoms in both men and women are:

• Discharge For chlamydia, women may have vaginal discharge that has a strong odor or is yellowish, and men may have cloudy or clear discharge around the tip of the penis. For Gonorrhea, women and men may have discharge from the vagina or penis that is green, yellow, or white.
• Burning sensation while urinating Also called dysuria, this symptom is common with other STDs and is an important sign to get tested.
• Painful, burning sensations in infected area For both STDs, this is most common inside the vagina for women and the penal opening for men. Additionally, throat infections from oral sex are common and can result in swollen glands in the throat.

Women can also have painful periods, bleeding between periods, pain during sex, abdominal pain, or a fever.

• Discharge

Also Check: How Do Ik If I Have Chlamydia

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