How Do You Get Gonorrhea Or 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
• Rectal pain

Complications Of Chlamydia In Male Patients

Chlamydia is an infection that is far more prevalent among women, particularly during young adulthood, compared to the prevalence of the condition in men. Still, men do need to understand that the condition can affect them and will often not yield any symptoms. This, however, does not mean the bacterial infection poses no harm.

In cases where symptoms do develop in a male patient, the individual may experience the following signs of chlamydia:

• There may be a discharge from the mans penis
• The testicles may become painful
• There may be pain during urination
• The lower abdominal might also develop pain conditions

Since chlamydia is a bacterial infection in nature, men do need to understand that there are certain complications that can develop. These complications can sometimes be serious and require medical attention.

Urethritis is a common complication of chlamydia in men. The condition causes a bacterial infection to develop in the urethra. This is a tube that runs throughout the patients penis it is used to expel both urine and semen from the body.

Urethritis causes irritation in the tip of the patients penis and can make the inside of the penis feel itchy. There may also be a burning or stinging sensation within the penis this is the urethra showing signs of the infection. A discharge can also occur from the penis.

Symptoms Of Genital Chlamydia

Some of the common symptoms of genital chlamydia include:

• A burning sensation during urination
• Rectal pain
• Pain or swelling in the testicles
• Pain during sex

Often people who have chlamydia in the mouth will not be aware of their condition due to the fact that they are not experiencing significant symptoms.

This is why it is so important to get tested as soon as you think you may have been exposed to the chlamydia. You could have no symptoms but continue to spread chlamydia onto other people.

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How To Prevent Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

Both infections are sexually transmitted, which means they can be spread through unprotected vaginal, oral, and anal sex.

Practicing abstinence can eliminate your risk of getting either disease, but practicing safe sex is often a more sustainable preventive measure.

To prevent the spread of these infections during sex, use latex condoms correctly. Condoms have other benefits too, including reducing the risk of other STIs and unplanned pregnancy.

Can You Prevent Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

As both infections are so common that almost anyone who is sexually active is at risk of contracting it, the only surefire way to prevent chlamydia and gonorrhea is by remaining abstinent.

In saying that, there are a number of steps that can be taken in order to reduce your risk, including:

• Use protection during sexual contact
• Regularly screen your sexual health
• Dont share sex toys

If you have tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, dont forget to abstain from sexual activity until you have completed treatment and all symptoms are gone.

Regular sexual health screening is one of the best steps you can take towards knowing more about your sexual health. This can be done with your doctor or from the comfort of home with an at-home lab test.

LetsGetCheckeds range of STI Tests detect some of the most common infections – this includes our Simple 2 Test which tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Online results will be available within 2-5 days and our dedicated medical team will be available every step of the way to answer any questions you may have regarding the process, results, or treatment.

You should consider taking a test if:

• You become sexually active
• You have had unprotected sex
• You are experiencing symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection
• You are entering into a new sexual relationship
• You have received a notification from a previous partner that they are infected

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In Both Males & Females

The following complications can occur:

• Disseminated gonococcal infection : An infection causedwhen gonorrhea spreads to the blood. It can lead to arthritis, tenosynovitis , or dermatitis. DGI can be life-threatening.

• Reactive arthritis: When symptomatic or asymptomatic chlamydia is left untreated, reactive arthritis can occur in both males and females.

• Infertility: In some cases, complications of untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia can lead to infertility.

How Is Chlamydia Treated

Chlamydia can be easily treated with a short course of antibiotics. You may be able to take all the antibiotics in one day, or over a week, depending on the type of treatment you are prescribed.

Its important to not have sex until you and your current sexual partner/s have finished treatment. If youve had the one-day course of treatment, you should avoid having sex for seven days afterwards. Ask your healthcare professional when its safe to have sex again.

Remember that if youve been treated for chlamydia you are not immune and you can get infected again.

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What Happens If I Dont 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 . 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.

What Else Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider

If you have gonorrhea, ask your healthcare provider:

• What medication is best for me?
• How long do I need to take the medication?
• When can I resume having sex?
• How can I avoid getting gonorrhea again?
• What else do I need to know to stay safe?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Gonorrhea is a common STD. Gonorrhea symptoms include pain and discharge from the penis or vagina. However, many people do not have symptoms. If you think you have gonorrhea, or you had unprotected sex, talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested. With prompt treatment, usually antibiotics, you can cure gonorrhea and prevent long-term health problems. The best way to avoid gonorrhea is to use a condom or dental dam during any sexual activity.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/25/2020.

References

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Chlamydia Vs Gonorrhea: Symptoms Test & Treatment

03 Aug 2021

Written by Andrea Pinto on August 4th, 2021

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are both common sexually transmitted infections that affect many people around the world. And although these two conditions share some similarities, there are also differences between chlamydia vs. gonorrhea that can help us distinguish between them.

Read on to discover the main differences between chlamydia vs. gonorrhea.

How To Collect An Endocervical Sample

A woman’s endocervix, the area around the opening of the uterus, is the preferred site for specimens from females. It’s recommended that specimen collection should be done with a sterile swab and not a Cytobrush. Harsher brushes may cause trauma and bleeding that can corrupt the specimen.

Use two swabs: one to clean the cervix to remove excess mucus, and another to collect the sample.

For gonorrhea testing, an ideal choice in swab includes a transport and collection system.

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How Long Does It Take For Stds To Show Up

It may be a simple equation to think that as soon as a sexually transmitted infection enters the body, you can get tested for it and detect it. But, the truth is that the exact processing route is far more complex. We get infected when a pathogen enters our system. If the route is sexual then, the infection is called an STD. The pathogen can be a virus, bacteria or other types of microbes. As soon as any of these enter the body, they start reproducing. When the infection is spread in the body and starts damaging our normal cells, disease can happen. However, every infection has its own time-frame and susceptibility.

When the infection multiplies, our immune system will be alert. Its action begins with the white blood cells and antibodies, produced to fight off the infection. Getting tested for an STD means that you are testing for the antibodies that your system has produced as a result of being exposed to an infection.

How Common Is Chlamydia

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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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Get Your Accurate Confidential Std Test At Arcpoint Labs Of Fort Myers

Taking a proactive role in your sexual health shouldnt be stressful, which is why ARCpoint Labs makes it simple to receive discreet, professional STD testing in Fort Myers. Our professional technicians provide chlamydia testing, gonorrhea testing, and a wide range of other STD testing options, so you can customize your services to suit your needs. Here, youll have the advantage of quick, hassle-free lab services, making it easier than ever to take charge of your sexual health and protect yourself from untreated STDs. Whether youre concerned about potential STD symptoms or simply want to take preventive measures, ARCpoint Labs has a testing solution for you.

Learn more about our selection of STD testing and other lab services by contacting ARCpoint Labs of Fort Myers today.

Image Credit: getty, fizkes

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Can You Have Chlamydia In The Mouth

Chlamydia is known to infect the oropharynx, a part of the throat thats behind the mouth. So technically speaking, chlamydia can infect the throat instead of the mouth directly. However, chlamydia in women and men can be transmitted through the mouth of an infected partner during certain sexual activities like oral sex.

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What Can Be Done To Address The Problem

Klausner says a three-way approach is needed:

• Control the spread of new infections through prevention, screening, and treatment. However, there is much less funding for such efforts. The CDC says that more than half of state and local STD programs have seen budget cuts in years. âThe money taken out of budgets absolutely correlates with the increases in cases of STDs that weâre seeing,â Englund says.
• Develop new antibiotics. Thereâs good news here: A new antibiotic now being tested has shown promising results in recent trials. When and if it will be effective and enter the market is unknown.
• Develop tests to identify the best treatments. Klausnerâs lab has developed a test, now in use at UCLA Health System, that can tell physicians which antibiotic a particular case of gonorrhea will respond to. This has allowed them to successfully treat many cases of gonorrhea with older, less expensive antibiotics.

Jeffrey Klausner, MD, professor of preventive medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Kristin Englund, MD, Cleveland Clinic.

World Health Organization: âGrowing antibiotic resistance forces updates to recommended treatment for sexually transmitted infections.â

When Should I Do A Home Test For Chlamydia

If you had unprotected intercourse not too long ago or you are worried your partner might have carried an infection, then you should get tested. The best time to do a test kit for chlamydia is two weeks after youve been exposed.

Gonorrhea and chlamydia need around two weeks to show up on test results, but for any other infection, like HIV, for example, you will need around four weeks.

Chlamydia is easy to detect and treat, so its crucial that you get tested as much as you can. The best way to know for sure if you are carrying the infection is by getting tested every 3 to 12 months. If you have a history of STIs, you should get tested more often.

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Chlamydia In The Throat: Causes Symptoms And More

Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD on January 31, 2020. Written by Karen Eisenbraun. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.

Can you get chlamydia in the throat? The answer to that question is âyesâ: although chlamydiaâone of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the United Statesâoften affects parts of the body like the genitals or rectum, it can also infect oneâs throat .

Read on for key information about the chlamydia bacterium in the throatâincluding causes, possible symptoms, and more.

If you think you may have contracted chlamydia from unprotected sex with an infected partner, consider taking our at-home Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test. Our testing kit is discreet and easy to use, making it a convenient way to check for these STDs from the privacy of home.

What Happens If You Dont Get A Chlamydia Test

A chlamydia test looks for the presence of chlamydia bacteria in your body. The disease is easily treated with antibiotics. But if its not treated, chlamydia can cause serious complications, including infertility in women and swelling of the urethra in men. Other names: Chlamydia NAAT or NAT, Chlamydia/GC STD Panel

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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.

Though syphilis is confirmed via blood test, both gonorrhea and chlamydia tests can be conducted with swab samples of the genitals, throat, or anus. That’s why we’ve put together this basic primer on how to take various swab samples used to test for gonorrhea and chlamydia.

*Please note: When collecting samples, it is recommended to wear appropriate personal protective equipment .

D Get Tested For Std At An Fda Approved Clinics

You can escape all the pain, and the worry about getting False-negative test results by simply getting tested in an FDA approved clinics. These are well-equipped facilities wherein, once you book the STD test, you just have to visit the STD testing center for 15 minutes give the necessary blood/urine sample and can even opt for same day test results. These are HIPAA compliant STD testing centers which ensure the privacy of the STD test result, So why take chances? Get tested for as low as $24.

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