How Do I Know If I Have Chlamydia
You cant tell if you have chlamydia just by the way you feel. The only way to know for sure if you have chlamydia is to get tested whether or not you have symptoms.
If youre showing any signs of chlamydia, you should get tested. Testing is also a good idea if youve had unprotected sex or if a partner has chlamydia . In general, people who are sexually active should get tested for STDs, including chlamydia, about once a year. If youre pregnant, get tested for chlamydia at your first prenatal visit. Want to know if you should be tested for chlamydia? Check out this quiz to find out.
Chlamydia testing is pretty easy and painless. The best part about getting tested for STDs? Once you get it over with, it can really put your mind at ease. And if you DO have chlamydia, its best to know right away so you can take medicine and get better as soon as possible.
What Happens After The Test
- You will be able to go home right away.
- You can go back to your usual activities right away.
- If you do have an infection, don’t have sexual intercourse for 7 days after you start treatment. And your sex partner should also be treated.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It’s also a good idea to keep a list of the medicines you take. Ask your doctor when you can expect to have your test results.
What Is Std Screening Exactly
Getting a screening test means that we look for an infection when you may not have any symptoms. Just like you get a mammogram, or screen for colon cancer, its also important to screen for sexually transmitted infections . There are no exact recommended times or tests that we recommend for everyone. These testing recommendations depend on your lifestyle and risk level.
You May Like: Difference Between Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
How Does Evidence Fit With Biological Understanding
Chlamydial and gonococcal infections are often asymptomatic in women. Untreated infections may progress to PID-related complications such as chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, or infertility. Infections may also be transmitted to sex partners and newborn children. Accurate screening tests and effective antibiotic treatments are available for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
In men, gonococcal infections are more commonly symptomatic compared with women. Serious complications from infection are less common in men.
Studies on assessing risk and for whom screening may be most effective are a high priority.
The CDC recommends annual chlamydia and gonorrhea testing in all sexually active women younger than 25 years and in older women at increased risk of infection . It also recommends screening for both infections in pregnant women younger than 25 years and in older pregnant women at increased risk for infection during their first prenatal visit and again during their third trimester if risk remains high.16
The American Academy of Family Physicians follows the 2014 USPSTF chlamydia and gonorrhea screening recommendations.58 The American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations align with the CDC guidelines.59
Men Are Using Condoms Less Even As Syphilis And Other Stds Surge
The basket of free ultrathin and studded condoms stayed full to the brim a recurrent reality that no longer surprised the D.C. health workers offering HIV testing this month at a downtown plaza.
Public health authorities are confronting a rise in sexually transmitted infections in a world where condom use has steadily declined and, with it, one of the most effective ways of curbing the spread of disease.
Theyll laugh at it, or sometimes they get it and throw it away, said Kevins Anglade, a community outreach worker for Whitman-Walker Health, a D.C.-based LGBT health-care organization that opened in the 1970s as the Gay Mens Venereal Disease Clinic. Its a new normal, which is very sad.
The United States recorded nearly 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in 2021, more than doubling in the past two decades, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About half of new infections last year were in young people between the ages of 15 and 24. Men who have sex with men contract infections at higher rates than heterosexuals because they are more likely to have multiple recent partners and its easier for sexually transmitted diseases to circulate in smaller networks of people.
Condoms, once central to campaigns to eradicate STDs at the height of the AIDS crisis, have become a harder sell because of medical advancements such as long-acting contraception and medications that drastically reduce HIV transmission.
You May Like: How Do You Get Tested For Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
How To Swab For Gonorrhea And Chlamydia
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , a record 2 million-plus cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis were reported in the United States in 2016. According to the annual Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report released in September 2017, most of these new diagnoses were cases of chlamydia.
There were also 470,000 gonorrhea cases and almost 28,000 cases of primary and secondary syphilis the most infectious stages of the disease.
All three of these STDs can be cured with antibiotics. But if left undiagnosed and untreated, they can have serious health consequences, including infertility, life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth in infants, and increased risk for HIV transmission.
*Please note: When collecting samples,it is recommended to wear appropriate personal protective equipment .
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.
Also Check: Teva 3109 Dosage For Chlamydia
When To Get Tested
Do not wait until you experience symptoms to get tested for STIs. Many infected people with STIs do not feel sick or experience any symptoms.
- Sexually active women under 25 years old should be tested annually for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- Sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men should be tested annually for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- This group should be tested every three to six months if they have multiple or anonymous partners.
- Pregnant persons should be tested for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B early in pregnancy.
For more information, see the CDC’s STI and HIV screening recommendations.
How Do You Test For Gonorrhea And Chlamydia
HealthLabs.com uses the FDA-approved / cleared nucleic acid amplification test . This test is recommended as the most accurate test for detecting both chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. Chlamydia trachomatis is the bacterium that causes chlamydia. Our NAAT chlamydia test looks for the presence of the bacteria in your urine. If it is found, this means that you have an active chlamydia infection. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the bacterium that causes gonorrhea. Our NAAT gonorrhea test can detect the presence of this bacteria in your urine. If the bacteria is found, you have an active gonorrhea infection.
Recommended Reading: How Much Does Chlamydia Medicine Cost
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
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.
Dont Miss: How Do You Know If You Get Chlamydia
Recommended Reading: Gc And Chlamydia Urine Test
How To Get Tested
A person can meet with a doctor to get a diagnosis for either of these infections.
Most health insurance plans, including Medicare, cover sexually transmitted infection testing completely. If a person does not have health insurance, they can go to a free clinic, their local health departments STI clinic, a student health center, or an urgent care clinic.
Because both chlamydia and gonorrhea can present with no symptoms, it is important that people who are sexually active get tested regularly.
After a doctor has determined which infection a person has contracted, they will prescribe an antibiotic.
People should take the full course of antibiotics and wait an additional 7 days before having sex again. This helps prevent a person from spreading the infection to another person and possibly reinfecting themselves later.
A person can contract both chlamydia and gonorrhea again, even if they have already experienced and treated the STI before.
Who Is At Risk And How Can They Prevent It
To prevent contracting either of these infections, a person should use barrier methods, such as condoms, and get tested regularly.
Even when they do not cause any symptoms, these infections can cause complications.
If a person does not seek treatment for gonorrhea, for example, there may be a of contracting HIV. They may also contract disseminated gonococcal infections.
Don’t Miss: Chlamydia Urine Test Vs Swab
How Gonorrhea And Chlamydia Are Tested
Both gonorrhea and chlamydia can be diagnosed with similar methods. A healthcare provider might do a physical examination to look for symptoms, and they may do a urine test to check for the bacteria that cause chlamydia or gonorrhea.
But screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea doesnÃât have to take place at a clinic. With the Everlywell at-home Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test, you can easily check for these STIs from the comfort and privacy of your home.
The kit comes with easy-to-follow instructions and everything you need to collect your sample at home, and your physician-reviewed results can be conveniently and securely viewed online on your device. Plus, if you receive a positive result after you get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea with the Everlywell at-home test, youÃâll have the opportunity to connect with our independent physician networkÃâand may be prescribed medication to treat the infection.
You May Like: What Treats Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
Where Can You Be Tested For Stis
Some places you can go to receive STI testing include:
- Planned Parenthood. STI testing is available at Planned Parenthood. Costs vary by certain factors, including income, demographics, and assistance eligibility.
- Doctors office. For quick testing, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor or visit your local urgent care center.
- Local health clinics. Most government-funded healthcare clinics offer free or low cost STI testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. Some also receive funding to test for herpes, trichomoniasis, and hepatitis.
- Pharmacy. Some pharmacies offer options to schedule testing for certain STIs, like gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV.
- At home. Currently, the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test is the only rapid at-home HIV test thats approved by the Food and Drug Administration . You have other options if you dont live in the United States. Other STI home testing kits are also available, like LetsGetChecked, Everlywell, and Nurx.
Several STIs are notifiable diseases. That means your doctor is legally required to report positive results to the government. The government tracks information about STIs to inform public health initiatives. Notifiable STIs include:
First, acknowledge that testing is a responsible choice to make, not only for your health and well-being but for that of your current or future sexual partners. Your decision deserves a pat on the back.
Testing is for everyone, including those with limited sexual history.
Read Also: How Fast Can Symptoms Of Chlamydia Show
Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Are 2 Of The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases
They are easy to treat but they can become serious if not treated. The treatment for chlamydia is antibiotic pills. The treatment for gonorrhea is an antibiotic injection/shot.
If you have chlamydia and/or gonorrhea you can get others STDs, including HIV, more easily. Left untreated they can cause infertility in women as chlamydia and gonorrhea can damage your tubes.
Is There Anything Else I Need To Know About A Chlamydia Test
Chlamydia testing can help you avoid lasting health problems and stop the spread of this disease. You can also take steps to protect yourself from getting chlamydia.
- Having sex with only one partner who has tested negative for STDs and who has sex only with you
- Using condoms correctly every time you have sex
Recommended Reading: How Long Can You Live With Chlamydia
Test For The Two Most Common Stds
There are plenty of reasons why you may want to get tested for STDs.
If you use our online STD testing you can test for the two most common bacterial STDs chlamydia and gonorrhea for less than at a Quest Diagnostics lab near you. Getting tested is the only way to know if you have these infections. Typically you wouldnt show any symptoms if you have these infections.
Test results typically take three to five business days from when you go to the lab to provide your urine sample.
Like all healthcare providers Lemonaid is confidential.
If you test positive for chlamydia with our test then you can complete a separate online visit with our medical team to see whether its safe for us to give you a prescription for an antibiotic that is generally very effective at curing a chlamydia infection. We charge a separate visit fee to assess you for chlamydia treatment its not included in the price of the test.
How Long Does It Take To Get An Std
Each STD has a unique incubation period. For some STDs, the incubation period for testing can be as short as a week or two, and for other STDs, as long as a few months.
If you believe you have been exposed to a specific STD, its important to learn about its incubation period so you know how long you should wait to get tested.
Also Check: How Do You Get Treated For Chlamydia
Don’t Miss: Do You Have Chlamydia For Life
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.