How Long Can You Have Chlamydia Without Knowing Years Or Months
How long can you have chlamydia without knowing is a common question after an unprotected sexual contact.
What is chlamydia infection?
Chlamydia infection, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects both men and women. In the united stated, more than 1.4 million new cases of chlamydia are detected yearly.
In women, chlamydia infection can ascend up the genital tracts resulting to pelvic inflammatory disease with symptoms like fever, abdomen pain and difficulty conceiving.
Chlamydia trachomatis infection is transmitted through
If youve had intercourse with these symptoms, then its likely you have chlamydia. You should inform your doctor ASAP or get a chlamydia test kit to detect chlamydia.
What Happens If I Get Positive Test Results
If your test result is positive then it is important that you speak with your doctor about the next steps. Private MD Labs is only able to provide you with the requisition for testing and the results. We cannot provide you with a prescription for medication. If left untreated STDs can cause serious problems therefore it is vital that you share your results with your doctor so that they can prescribe appropriate treatment.
Which Tests Are Used For Early Human Immunodeficiency Virus Detection And How Accurate Are They
Neither of the existing HIV tests is informative directly after the exposure.
The period during which a person may have been infected with HIV, and the test will be able to detect the virus itself or its antigens and antibodies is called the Window period. Its duration varies from one individual to another and is different for each particular test.2
Table 1.
| after 23 days | after 3 months |
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How Long Does A Chlamydia Test Take
Once the samples have been collected, they are sent to a lab for testing. The time it takes to process the sample can vary. If youâre getting tested via your healthcare providerâs office, you can generally expect to get results within 7 to 10 days after the sample collection.
On the other hand, if you are using the Everlywell at-home chlamydia test, youâll receive secure, online results just a few days after the lab receives your sample.
Most experts suggest that it can take up to 14 days following initial exposure with an infected sex partner for this bacterial infection to show any symptoms. For this reason, if your sex partner has recently tested positive but you receive negative results from your test, you may be advised to repeat the test if it has been less than two weeks since you last had sexual intercourse. This is because the infection may still be in its early stages when it is more difficult to identify.
How Is Chlamydia Treated
Chlamydia can be easily cured with prescription antibiotics. If you are positive, you need to notify your sexual partners so they can get tested and treated. Not getting treated can cause serious health problems, and you may be at high risk for re-infection if infected sex partners arent treated. There are a few different chlamydia pills for treatment options.
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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, , 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.
When To See A Doctor
If a person has symptoms of chlamydia after testing and treatment or thinks that they have come into contact with chlamydia again, they should see their doctor.
Females are less likely than males to have symptoms of chlamydia, so testing is especially important for them.
The recommend chlamydia testing every year for the following groups of people:
- sexually active females under the age of 25 years
- females over the age of 25 years who have new or multiple sexual partners
- anyone with a sexual partner who has an STI
- sexually active gay and bisexual males
Pregnant women should have a chlamydia test early on in their pregnancy.
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Chlamydia Is Not An Easy Std
Chlamydia has always been the troublemaker itsincredibly difficult to notice any symptoms and get diagnosed quickly. But, ifyou do suspect youve been exposed to this infection, you need to take theincubation period into account. If you get tested too early, you risk gettinginadequate results. Paying attention to the incubation of the bacteria can bethe difference between a successful and failed chlamydia testing.
References
Std Testing Doesnt Replace Discussion
People often wonder whether they have to tell current/future partners that they might have been exposed to an STD. Whether the question is modified by What if we only had oral sex? or What if it didnt last long? the answer is usually the same. These are discussions that everybody should be having before they have sex.
Most people dont come to sexual relationships completely inexperienced. Therefore, talks about testing and safe sex arent just appropriate but smart.
Still, sometimes the discussion can be difficult. Thats why its always a good idea to practice safe sex, particularly until youre reasonably certain of your test results.
Condoms may not be perfect, but latex types still offer protection against STDs.
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Maarten F Schim Van Der Loeff
From the *Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam Centre for Environmental Safety and Security, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute , §Department of Dermatology Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam and ¶ Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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How Do I Know If I Have Chlamydia
Chlamydia often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems, even without symptoms. If symptoms occur, they may not appear until several weeks after having sex with a partner who has chlamydia.
Even when chlamydia has no symptoms, it can damage a womans reproductive system. Women with symptoms may notice
- An abnormal vaginal discharge and
- A burning sensation when peeing.
Symptoms in men can include
- A burning sensation when peeing and
- Pain and swelling in one or both testicles .
See a healthcare provider if you notice any of these symptoms. You should also see a provider if your partner has an STD or symptoms of one. Symptoms can include
- An unusual sore
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Should I Get Tested For Chlamydia After Treatment
Yes, because it is possible to get re-infected with chlamydia, especially if you have sex with an infected partner. Having a past chlamydia infection or taking antibiotics for chlamydia will not make you immune to the bacterium that causes the infection. This is why it is especially important to get tested with your partner so youre all tested, treated, and cured before engaging in sexual activity again.
When Can You Have Sex Again?
Before you start having sex again, you should make sure that you and your partner are completely cured of chlamydia because re-infections are common. Do not have sex with anyone while you are being treated.
It is advised to wait seven days after completing antibiotic treatment before engaging in sexual activity again. Although this dry spell can be tough, it gives your body time to clear up the infection. Failing to wait may lead to re-infection. Even with a condom, its possible that you and your partner may pass the infection back and forth.3 If you did have sex before the suggested waiting period was up, talk to your prescribing physician. In some situations, they may recommend re-treatment or follow-up tests.
What Happens During A Chlamydia Test
To do a chlamydia test, you will need to provide a sample of fluid from the part of your body that may be infected. There are two ways to gather the sample:
- A first-catch urine sample. You use a sterile cup to a collect urine from the very first part of your urine stream. To get an accurate test result, you will need to stop urinating for two hours before the test.
- A swab sample. Your provider will use a special swab or brush to gather cells, usually from the genital area . This may cause some brief discomfort. In certain cases, the rectum, cervix, throat, or eyes may be swabbed. Your provider may give you the option to swab yourself following special instructions.
Test results are usually ready in a day. There are some rapid chlamydia tests that can provide results in 90 minutes or less.
You can also buy at-home collection kits to test for chlamydia and other STDs. With these kits, you collect a swab or urine sample at home and send it to a lab for testing. It’s important to follow all the instructions carefully.
You should not use an at-home test if you have symptoms of chlamydia or if your partner has chlamydia. In that case, it’s important to talk with your provider right away so you don’t delay treatment.
Ask your provider whether at-home chlamydia testing is right for you.
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Home Remedies For Chlamydia Symptoms
You may still experience painful or uncomfortable symptoms while youre taking chlamydia antibiotics.
Here are some home remedies for reducing your pain and other symptoms while youre waiting for the antibiotics to work:
- pain medications, such as ibuprofen to reduce pain
- cold pack to help limit swelling and inflammation
- goldenseal to reduce inflammation and potentially make symptoms less severe
- echinacea to bolster your immune system against the infection and reduce your symptoms
- turmeric containing an ingredient called curcumin to reduce inflammation and make symptoms less severe
No studies support the effectiveness of these supplements specifically for chlamydia, so take them with caution.
And theres no substitute for antibiotics when treating chlamydia. Only try these remedies if youre already taking antibiotics or if you plan to go to the doctor.
When Is It Ordered
Screening
Because many infected people do not have any noticeable symptoms, a number of health organizations recommend regular chlamydia screening for certain people:
Women
All sexually active women younger than age 25 and sexually active women age 25 and older who are at increased risk should get yearly screening for chlamydia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Academy of Pediatrics also recommend routine screening for these women .
Examples of risk factors for chlamydia infection include:
For pregnant women, the CDC recommends screening for chlamydia during the first trimester or first prenatal visit. For women younger than age 25 or at increased risk of infection, testing is repeated in the third trimester. Pregnant women diagnosed with chlamydia should be retested about 3 months after completing treatment.
Diagnosis
Chlamydia testing may also be done when your sex partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia or when you have signs and symptoms of chlamydia.
For women, if symptoms occur, they may include:
For men, symptoms may include:
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What Does The Test Measure
Chlamydia testing looks for evidence of infection with the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. There are several types of tests that can be used to detect chlamydia, including molecular testing, also called Nucleic Acid Amplification Test , and cell culture.
Other types of chlamydia tests are available but are rarely used given the accuracy and availability of NAAT.
Testing For Gonorrhea Too
If you arent tired of all the good news yet, heres one more perk. When you order a chlamydia test through myLAB Box, you are also getting a gonorrhea test! That means, for the same price as any of myLAB Boxs other single-infection tests, this kit includes the results for a second infection. This is largely due to the fact these two infections are often mistaken for each other. In addition, they can often be found together.
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How Soon Can You Get Tested For An Sti
You dont need to get tested for STIs right away if you recently had unprotected sex. Its possible to get tested too soon for an STI. You might get a false negative test if you get tested too soon. That means you actually do have an STI, but the test doesnt show it yet.
Heres when you should be tested:
-
Chlamydia: Get tested 2 weeks after your sexual encounter.
-
Gonorrhea: Get tested 2 weeks after your sexual encounter.
-
Syphilis: Get tested 1 to 3 months after your sexual encounter.
-
HIV: Get tested 2 to 6 weeks after your sexual encounter.
-
Herpes: Get tested 1 to 4 months after your sexual encounter.
If you test positive for an STI dont panic. Your healthcare provider will go over treatment options with you.
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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Seven Chlamydia In Home Test Options
Think seven at-home chlamydia test options is too much? We certainly dont think so! After all, chlamydia is the second most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. At myLAB Box, we recognize that everyone is different and all consumers have special interests and needs. Truthfully, thats why myLAB Box offers a variety of testing options.
Can Certain Stds Lie Dormant And Not Be Detected
In some cases, an STD may be asymptomatic because its latent, or lying dormant in your body. Latent STDs can cause someone to remain undiagnosed until symptoms begin to appear. This may put them at risk for long-term complications.
Chlamydia, hepatitis C, HIV, HSV , and syphilis can all have periods of latency.
The best way to ensure that dormant STDs receive the proper diagnosis and treatment is regular STD screening. The CDC recommends that all sexually active adults with new or multiple sexual partners receive at least yearly testing for most STDs, especially chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Its also recommended that people who have sex without a condom or other barrier method receive STD testing more frequently.
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What Should I Expect After A Chlamydia Test
After collecting a sample, your provider sends the sample to a lab. If youre using an at-home kit, you will mail the sample to a lab. The lab will test the sample to check for bacterial DNA. Your provider will contact you when the results are ready and discuss the next steps.
While youre waiting for results, its very important to avoid having sex. If you do have the infection and you have sex, you can spread it to others.
When Should You Retest After Treatment For Chlamydia
If you have been recently treated and want to retest to be sure the treatment worked, wait at least 3-4 weeks after completing your treatment. The CDC recommends retesting three to six months after treatment, preferably along with your partner, so that you can be sure that all of you are chlamydia free. We are here for you during the process. Reach out to one of our helpful STD experts today!
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When Will The Signs And Symptoms Go Away
You should notice an improvement quite quickly after having treatment.
- Discharge or pain when you urinate should improve within a week.
- Bleeding between periods or heavier periods should improve by your next period.
- Pelvic pain and pain in the testicles should start to improve quickly but may take up to two weeks to go away.
If you have pelvic pain or painful sex that doesnt improve, see your doctor or nurse as it may be necessary to have some further treatment or investigate other possible causes of the pain.