How Long Does It Take To Test Positive For Chlamydia
Almost 3 million new cases of chlamydia are reportedevery single year, which means 1 in 20 sexually active young people havechlamydia. With such a prevalent STI like this one, its very important to getregularly tested.
Anyone who has unprotected sex is exposed to chlamydia and can get this infection during genital, anal, or oral sex. This bacteria is treatable, but if left undetected for a long time, it can cause infertility or other serious health problems.
The real problem is that chlamydia often shows no signs and no symptoms, which means people are at risk of transmitting this infection without having a clue they are infected. Those who do get tested, but decide to do it too early will not get adequate results. Thats why timing is crucial for chlamydia testing.
Here we will focus on how long it takes forchlamydia to show up on tests, why is the incubation period important, and howit affects the test results in both men and women.
Symptoms Of Chlamydia In Men
Men with chlamydia may experience several distinct symptoms including discharge from the penis or a burning sensation when urinating. Men may also have burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the testicles are uncommon, but not unprecedented.
Men or women who have receptive anal intercourse may contract chlamydia in the rectum, which can cause rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding. Chlamydia can also be found in the throats of women and men who engage in oral sex with an infected partner. The symptoms of oral chlamydia are very similar to those of a common sore throat, which makes it difficult to identify through a physical examination.
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Infidelity And Std Disclosure
The question of disclosure is certainly more complicated for people who have been unfaithful to a current partner. However, I have to believe that more people would be willing to forgive an infidelity that didnt unknowingly expose them to STDs than one that did. When someone discloses an infidelity, they at least give their partner a chance to minimize their emotional and physical risk.
People may use STD transmission as a tool of manipulation. However, infecting someone with an STD isnt a healthy way to make a partner stay with you or to convince them to overlook an infidelity. Fortunately, once most people get over the initial shock and the stigma of an STD diagnosis, they realize that fear isnt love.
Most people would consider intentionally infecting a partner with an STD to keep them around as a form of abuse.
Dating with STDs may not always be easy. However, its better than staying with a partner who is emotionally or physically abusive.
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Does A Pap Smear Test For Stis
No. Pap smears, also known as pap tests or cervical smears, are cervical cancer screenings. Although many cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus , an STI, pap smears are not the same as an HPV test. Regular STI tests do not check for HPV either, and HPV testing often isnt needed until age 30.
Again, the only way to know for sure if you have an STI is to get tested for STIs.
How Std Testing Works
Getting tested for STDs is usually a quick, simple and painless process. If youre concerned that you might have an STD, the best way to arrange an STD test is to get in touch with your primary care provider and let them know youd like to be tested.
Theres no need to feel embarrassed when asking for an STD test. Healthcare professionals are used to administering STD tests, and getting tested on a regular basis is part of being a healthy, sexually active adult not something that you should ever feel ashamed of.
Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider may request that you complete one or several of the following tests:
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Physical exam. Before administering other tests, your healthcare provider may look at the affected area to check for visible sores, rashes or other signs of infection.
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Urine test. For this test, youll need to provide a urine sample for analysis in a lab. This type of test is often used to detect chlamydia and gonorrhea.
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Blood test. For this test, a nurse or doctor will draw blood from your arm using a needle, or from a finger prick. Blood testing is used to detect a range of STDs, including hepatitis A, B and C, herpes, syphilis and HIV.
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Fluid sample. If you have open sores, your healthcare provider may take a sample from the sores to test for STDs.
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Cheek swab. In some cases, such as to test for HIV, your healthcare provider may rub a swab inside your cheek.
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Who Is At Risk For Chlamydia
Any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. It is a very common STD, especially among young people.3 It is estimated that 1 in 20 sexually active young women aged 14-24 years has chlamydia.5
Sexually active young people are at high risk of acquiring chlamydia for a combination of behavioral, biological, and cultural reasons. Some young people dont use condoms consistently.15 Some adolescents may move from one monogamous relationship to the next more rapidly than the likely infectivity period of chlamydia, thus increasing risk of transmission.16 Teenage girls and young women may have cervical ectopy .17 Cervical ectopy may increase susceptibility to chlamydial infection. The higher prevalence of chlamydia among young people also may reflect multiple barriers to accessing STD prevention services, such as lack of transportation, cost, and perceived stigma.16-20
Men who have sex with men are also at risk for chlamydial infection since chlamydia can be transmitted by oral or anal sex. 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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Where To Get Tested For Stds Near Me:
Back in the day, you were at the mercy of the local clinic if you wanted to be properly screened for sexually transmitted infections or diseases. It was either that or setting a doctors appointment. Both of these traditional in-person testing methods are still the first place many people turn. But for many of us, theyre not exactly the best possible solution. Just because its the old way to do it doesnt mean its the best way to do it! In fact, these testing solutions come with a fair amount of caveats and hang-ups. And it leaves room for plenty of excuses to get in the way of people following through with their test.
Golden Standard Algorithm For Early Hiv Testing
You should undergo Rapid HIV testing after unprotected sex and potential HIV exposure preferably with most accurate screening tests such as viral load assessment tests in combination with HIV antigen/antibody combined tests followed by HIV confirmatory differentiation tests if needed.3
- If HIV antigen/antibody combined tests and HIV viral load tests turned out to be negative there is no evidence of being infected with HIV . If the risk of HIV contamination is high, the primary negative immune assessment and the virologic test should be retaken 1-2 weeks after the initial testing for more conclusive results3
- HIV antigen/antibody combined testâs negative and HIV viral load testâs positive results are indicating early HIV infections
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What Happens During A Chlamydia Test Everything You Can Expect
In 2017, there were over 1.7 million cases of chlamydia reported in the US. This means there are around 528.8 cases per 100,000 population this is more than a twofold increase from 2000 when that number was just 251.4.
Needless to say, this is the most common sexually transmitted disease seen in the United States surely youve heard of it before.
But do you actually know what to look out for? And do you know what a chlamydia test entails?
Read on to find out more about this STD and how testing goes for it.
Learn About The Types Of Sti Tests What To Expect And Where And How To Get Tested
Sexually transmitted infections are very common. Unfortunately, many STIs dont have symptoms. That means that many people who have an STI dont know it. The only way to know is to get tested.
Getting tested ensures you receive prompt treatment if you test positive. This prevents serious health issues from developing. The sooner you know, the better off youll be.
The good news is most STIs are treatable, and many are curable.
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Ethnobotanical & Traditional Medicine As Drug Leads
The World Health Organization has indicated that approximately 80% of the worlds population still relies primarily on plant-based traditional medicines for their primary healthcare needs . It has also been estimated that 74% of pharmaceutically active plant derived compounds were discovered after investigations based on ethnobotanical traditions , and plant materials are now present in, or have provided models for approximately 50% of all modern pharmaceuticals . Both trachoma and chlamydial infections have been commonplace throughout history and found in many parts of the world. In response to this, a wide range of botanical treatments have been developed to treat these conditions. By investigating traditional therapies, sources of potentially active compounds can be identified from ingredients, and in some cases, insight into basic chemical composition can be obtained through consideration of traditional extraction means and modes of delivery.
How K Health Can Help
Did you know you can get affordable primary care with the K Health app?
to check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed text with a doctor in minutes. K Healths AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and based on 20 years of clinical data.
K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
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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.
What Other Stis Should I Get Tested For
Better2Knows instant Chlamydia test can be combined with instants tests for a variety of other STIs including: HIV, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Herpes 1 and 2. This will provide a more comprehensive picture of your sexual health. If you are unsure which instant STI testing option to select, Better2Knows Patient Services team are highly trained to help you select the instant test or screen you need.
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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!
During And After The Test
When you have a urine STD test, it is usually during a regular appointment. You will be asked to pee into a sample collection cup or tube. That tube or cup will be given to one of the medical staff.
Your urine sample will then be sent out to a lab or tested at the clinic. You can leave as soon as you are done giving the sample or when your appointment is finished.
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What Are Chlamydia Symptoms And Signs
The signs and symptoms of chlamydia infections in women are usually irritation in the genital tract, vaginal discharge, and pain with urination . In men, chlamydia is characterized by pain with urination, urinary frequency, and urethral discharge . Other symptoms may develop, such as rectal irritation , eye infections, and infertility. Women can also develop chronicpelvic pain, salpingitis, and endometritis. Pregnant women infected with chlamydia can have ectopicpregnancies, preterm labor, preterm delivery, and their newborns can get conjunctivitis, otitis media, and pneumonia.
Is There Anything Else I Need To Know About A Chlamydia Test
Chlamydia testing enables diagnosis and treatment of the infection before it can cause serious health problems. If you are at risk for chlamydia due to your age and/or lifestyle, talk to your health care provider about getting tested.
You can also take steps to prevent getting infected with chlamydia The best way to prevent chlamydia or any sexually transmitted disease is to not have vaginal, anal or oral sex. If you are sexually active, you can reduce your risk of infection by:
- Being in a long-term relationship with one partner who has tested negative for STDs
- Using condoms correctly every time you have sex
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How Long Will It Take For Chlamydia To Show Up In Women
Symptoms of chlamydia in individuals with vulvaswill need around 1 to 3 weeks to show up, but sometimes it can take upto a couple of months. The reason for that is the bacteria. Bacteria is aliving organism, which means it will have an incubation period that willpredetermine its effect before the infection becomes a real problem.
The incubation period will vary depending ondifferent factors like:
- Howlong does it take for the chlamydia to reproduce
- Areyou exposed to a lot of bacteria
- Whereis the bacteria, does it infect the throat, anus, or genitals
- Isyour immune system well-equipped to protect itself against the bacteria
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
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