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How Are Females Tested For Chlamydia

What Happens If I Dont Get Treated

Normalizing Chlamydia ScreeningHow to Talk to Patients

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 . This can cause 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. PID can 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.

How Do You Get Tested

There are several different reliable tests for chlamydia. Newer tests, called NAATs , are very accurate and easy to take. Your healthcare provider can explain what testing options are available . If you dont have a regular healthcare provider, you can search here for a clinic near you.

People infected with chlamydia are often also infected with gonorrhea, so patients with chlamydia are often treated for gonorrhea at the same time, since the cost of treatment is generally less than the cost of testing.

If you live in Alaska, Maryland, or Washington, D.C., you can have a free at-home chlamydia test. Visit iwantthekit.org for more information.

Urine Testing For Sexually Transmitted Infections

Several sexually transmitted infections can be detected using urine testing, which is becoming more and more available. Urine chlamydia tests and gonorrhea tests are a lot more pleasant than having to have your cervix or urethra swabbed and are quickly becoming standard practice.

It may be more difficult to find urine testing for other STIs, such as trichomoniasis or human papillomavirus , however. This article will discuss urine testing for STIs.

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How Does A Chlamydia Test Work

The most commonly used type of chlamydia test is called a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test . A NAAT detects the DNA of the bacteria that cause the chlamydia infection. You provide a sample of urine. Or your provider collects a sample of secretions from the vagina or urethra . The lab tests the sample for signs of the bacteria.

Less often, providers use a cell culture to test for chlamydia. Your provider swabs your vagina, urethra or anus to collect a sample of fluid and cells. They send the cells to a lab to test. If bacteria are present, they will grow, which indicates an infection. Providers may choose this type of chlamydia test to detect infections in the anus. Or they may use a cell culture to see how chlamydia treatments are working.

How Does The Test Work

3 STDs  chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis  at an all

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 youre 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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Possible Treatment For Chlamydia

As per medical professionals, Chlamydia can be easily treated with the help of antibiotic therapy. These antibiotics can be assigned for the 7-day course with a single dose per day. It is essential to stay away from sexual activity for these 7 days so that infection can be controlled with ease and your partner does not get infected with it.

The commonly known antibiotics for this chlamydia in women treatment are Doxycycline and Azithromycin but professionals may also recommend few other antibiotics for this treatment. In case if the lady affected with Chlamydia is pregnant that few other antibiotics can also be used as like ethyl succinate, erythromycin, and amoxicillin but pregnant ladies should not consume doxycycline. It is also essential to make your partner aware about the disease and bring him to the medical professional to undergo important tests.

How Easily Is Chlamydia Transmitted During Sexual Intercourse

Unfortunately, chlamydia is very easily transmitted through unprotected sexual contact. This is especially true because chlamydia infections are sometimes asymptomaticâmeaning they donât cause noticeable symptoms.

In fact, any time you come in contact with the bacteriaâeven if your sex partner doesnât ejaculate or you arenât fully penetratedâyou could become infected or pass along the chlamydial infection. This being the case, men and women should get tested for STIs before beginning any new sexual relationship.

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How Long Does It Take For Chlamydia To Show Up On A Test

How long it takes for the results to show up depends on the test performed and on your specific health as an individual. Urine tests take about 2 to 5 days to show a positive or negative result, positive meaning it was found and negative meaning it wasnt. If the blood is analyzed on site, blood tests can come back with results in a few minutes. However, if sent off to a lab, they can take a week or more. To show a positive or negative, swab results take about 2 to 3 days.

Your doctor will likely prescribe one of the following to help treat the infection:

  • Azithromycin This antibiotic is usually taken in one big dose and is also referred to as Z-Pal.
  • Doxycycline This antibiotic is usually taken twice a day for a week.
  • Erythromycin This antibiotic is normally taken frice a day for a week.
  • Levofloxacin This antibiotic is taken once a day for a week.
  • Ofloxacin This antibiotic is given in doses that are taken twice daily for a week.

If you or someone you know needs to be tested for chlamydia, come to Express Healthcare today! Our kind and compassionate health care professionals are experienced in testing for chlamydia and other STIs and provide confidential, discreet results, so you can feel comfortable knowing that your test results are private. Contact our office today to talk with a member of our specialist team. Go online or simply give us a to book an appointment with us today!

How Can You Get Rid Of Chlamydia

Normalizing Chlamydia ScreeningUsing Opt-Out Language

If your chlamydia test comes back positive, you may be wondering how to get chlamydia treated. Itâs important to discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider. Most likely, you will be treated for chlamydia with oral antibiotics. With treatment, infections often clear up in one to two weeks.

Even if your symptoms resolve sooner, however, itâs very important to complete your healthcare providerâs entire course of prescribed antibiotics. Otherwise, the infection may not be completely eliminated and you could be at risk for reinfection. You could also still pass chlamydia to a partner if you donât complete the recommended course of antibiotics.

Finally, as part of your treatment for chlamydia, connect with any sexual partners you may have unintentionally exposed to this infection. Your healthcare provider may also recommend antibiotics for your partner. This is a key part of chlamydia treatment, since it can help prevent reinfection when you resume sexual intercourse.

Chlamydia is a potentially harmful infection, but fortunately, itâs easy to test for. Itâs also simple to treat when you have a confirmed diagnosis. The important thing is stay informed and know your statusâsomething you can do from the privacy and comfort of home with our STD Test for women.

References

1. Overview: Chlamydia. National Health Service. URL. Accessed March 27, 2020.

2. Chlamydia – CDC Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. URL. Accessed March 27, 2020.

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Diagnostic Accuracy Of Tests In Women With And Without Symptoms

At least one symptom suggestive of a bacterial sexually transmitted infection was reported by 1634 of the participants with complete paired results. Of these, 213 women were infected with chlamydia. The sensitivities of clinician taken endocervical swabs and self taken vulvovaginal swabs were 88% and 97% respectively .

There were 2233 women who did not have symptoms suggestive of a bacterial sexually transmitted infection, 183 of whom were infected with chlamydia. The sensitivities of clinician taken endocervical swabs and self taken vulvovaginal swabs were 89% and 97% respectively .

There were 1347 women who would have been suitable for an asymptomatic screenthat is, they did not have any symptoms suggestive of a bacterial sexually transmitted infection and did not require examination for any other reason . Of these, 76 had chlamydia infection. The sensitivities of clinician taken endocervical swabs and self taken vulvovaginal swabs were 89% and 95% respectively .

What Are The Symptoms Of Chlamydia In Women

The symptoms of Chlamydia in women are rarely noticeable. Professionals reveal that among a huge number of patients, only 30% females show symptoms related to this disease and rest all suffer from silent infection. In case if symptoms of the disease are present in the body then the person will notice them within 3 weeks right from their occurrence.

Some of the major symptoms associated with Chlamydia disease are:

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Can Chlamydia Be Cured

Yes, chlamydia can be cured with the right treatment. It is important that you take all of the medication your doctor prescribes to cure your infection. When taken properly it will stop the infection and could decrease your chances of having complications later on. You should not share medication for chlamydia with anyone.

Repeat infection with chlamydia is common. You should be tested again about three months after you are treated, even if your sex partner was treated.

Does Chlamydia Have A Smell

Chlamydia symptoms and treatment advice

Chlamydia doesnt always smell, but the smell of chlamydia can be strong and unpleasant. Chlamydia can also cause pus in your urine, which also makes your urine smell bad. However, foul-smelling discharge can have other causes, which according to the Mayo Clinic, can include:

  • Bacterial vaginosis

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Tests To Determine If You Have Chlamydia

There are several tests that can detect the presence of the bacteria that causes chlamydia. You can provide a sample of urine thats analyzed in a laboratory to determine if chlamydia infection is present. With other tests, a health care professional takes a swab of a mans urethra or a womans cervix and sends the swab to the laboratory for analysis.

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Understanding The Risks And Symptoms

  • 1Know if you’re at risk. Not everyone should get tested for chlamydia, but those at higher risk for the infection should at least once per year. Factors that greatly increase your risk of contracting a chlamydia infection include: having multiple sex partners over the course of a year not using condoms consistently during sexual encounters having a history of other sexually transmitted diseases or infections and being sexually active and younger than 25 years old. Gay and bisexual men have a much greater risk of chlamydia infection compared to heterosexual men.
  • If you’re over 25, consult your doctor for how often you should be screened. XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source
  • Other reasons why you should consider getting tested include: if you have any unusual discomfort or symptoms with your genitalia if you think a condom ripped during sex if one of your previous sex partners develops an STI or if you’re planning on getting pregnant.XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source
  • You can get a chlamydia infection by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who is infected. Ejaculation and exchange of semen is not necessary to get infected.
  • Being in a long-term monogamous relationship with a partner who doesn’t have an STI and always using latex condoms during sex are the main ways of reducing your risk .
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    Should I Get Tested For Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

    Yes! You should get tested for STDs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, before and after every sexual encounter with new partners. If youve been in a long-term, monogamous sexual relationship the same partner, you should still test for STDs once a year.

    If youve recently tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, complete the treatment, then test again after 3 months to ensure the treatment was successful.

    Additionally, it is possible to be re-infected with both diseases, so even if youve already been treated for chlamydia or gonorrhea, youre still susceptible to re-acquiring it. Thats why its so important to get retested after every sexual encounter with new partners.

    Find a sexual health clinic.

    Its possible to buy a gonorrhoea test from a pharmacy to do yourself at home. However, these tests vary in accuracy, so its recommended that you go to your local sexual health service.

    All tests are free through the NHS, but youll have to pay if you go to a private clinic.

    If you go to your GP practice, you may have to pay a prescription charge for any treatment.

    Strengths And Limitations Of Study

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    The strengths of our study include its large number of participants with 42 different clinicians collecting the samplesas such, it is reflective of real clinical situations. The population attending the Centre for Sexual Health at Leeds is similar to many other clinic populations, both in the UK and in other countries, meaning our findings are widely applicable.

    The limitations are that, although there were a large number of participants, this was a single centre study. The order of the samples was not randomised or rotated. The self taken vulvovaginal swab was collected before the clinician taken endocervical swab. In other published studies comparing vulvovaginal swabs with endocervical samples, the vulvovaginal swab was performed first, before the insertion of a vaginal speculum.79101416171819 As the sites for these samples are different, there is no reason to suspect that taking the vulvovaginal swab would affect the sensitivity of the endocervical sample. However, as part of the diagnostic comparisons for gonorrhoea in this study,20 all participants had an endocervical swab taken for gonorrhoea culture, which was performed before the endocervical swab for Aptima Combo-2 assay in view of the reduced sensitivity of culture.

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    How Do You Get Chlamydia

    Chlamydia is a bacterial infection. The bacteria are usually spread through sex or contact with infected genital fluids .

    You can get chlamydia through:

    • unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
    • sharing sex toys that are not washed or covered with a new condom each time theyâre used
    • your genitals coming into contact with your partnerâs genitals this means you can get chlamydia from someone even if thereâs no penetration, orgasm or ejaculation
    • infected semen or vaginal fluid getting into your eye

    It can also be passed by a pregnant woman to her baby.

    Chlamydia cannot be passed on through casual contact, such as kissing and hugging, or from sharing baths, towels, swimming pools, toilet seats or cutlery.

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    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

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    Sbus Appraisal Of The Evidence

    • Urine specimens are somewhat less sensitive than vaginal and cervical specimens. Vaginal specimens have the highest sensitivity for diagnosing chlamydia in women.
    • Urine, vaginal, and cervical specimens have similar specificity. In other words, they are equally likely to yield a correct, ie, negative, finding in women who are not infected.
    • The scientific evidence is insufficient to compare the diagnostic accuracy of urine specimens alone versus various combinations of specimens, since only one study in the assessment included such a comparison.
    • The scientific evidence is insufficient to draw conclusions on the cost-effectiveness of using urine specimens as the only test for establishing a chlamydia diagnosis in women. Too few studies of sufficient quality are available. The total cost of chlamydia testing is influenced mainly by how specimens are taken. Vaginal and urine specimens can be collected by the patient herself. This lowers the cost in comparison to taking cervical specimens, where health professionals must collect the specimen.

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