More About The Initiative
The Alabama Department of Public Health Division of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control has collaborated with Binx Health to implement home delivery STD/HIV specimen collection and laboratory test kits by mail. The purpose of the initiative is to promote STD/HIV testing among individuals at home in an effort to strengthen the STD/HIV prevention and control program in Alabama. The second phase of the project focuses on offering STD/HIV home specimen collection and laboratory test kits for all Alabama residents including college/university students, and to selected individuals who are on PrEP therapy. Alabama residents will be able to request one STD/HIV home specimen collection and laboratory test kit per quarter.
Just Diagnosed Next Steps After Testing Positive For Gonorrhea Or Chlamydia
If youve just found out that you have gonorrhea or chlamydia, you may be trying to figure out what to do next. Here are the three most important steps that you can take:
WHY?Many people with gonorrhea and chlamydia dont have symptoms. Why does this matter? Because an untreated infection can lead to serious and permanent health problems, even if you never have symptoms. Gonorrhea and chlamydia can be cured with the right medicine from your doctor. Just make sure you take all of your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to.
WHERE?Your regular doctor can prescribe antibiotics to cure the STD. But if you dont have insurance or want to see someone else for treatment, there are other low-cost or free options. You can get tested and treated at your local health departments STD clinic, a family planning clinic, a student health center, or an urgent care clinic. You can also find a clinic using GetTested and ask if they offer treatment for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
- In women, untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to health problems like ectopic pregnancy or infertility .
- In men, chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause a painful condition in the tubes attached to the testicles. In rare cases, this may prevent him from being able to have children.
- Untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea may also increase your chances of getting or giving HIV the virus that causes AIDS.
Can You Have Chlamydia In The Mouth
Chlamydia is known to infect the oropharynx, a part of the throat thatâs 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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When To Get Tested
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Copyright 2021 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. Read copyright and permissions information.
This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to women’s health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. Read ACOGs complete disclaimer.
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What To Do If I Have Symptoms Of Oral Chlamydia
Thechances of developing oral Chlamydia are low, but not impossible. If youexperience symptoms listed above, its strongly recommended to see the doctor or do thetest to determine whether you really have Chlamydia or not. Remember, youcannot know for sure until you get tested. The last thing you should do isignore the symptoms and hope they would go away on their own.
Many women and men are reluctant to see the doctor due to the social stigma attached to STDs and diagnostic tests. As a result, the diagnosis is not confirmed, and in cases they have Chlamydia, it is difficult to treat it in a timely manner.
Read more: Pictures of chlamydia symptoms
Remember,you can treat Chlamydia successfully, thanks to antibiotics. But to make ithappen, you need to get tested. The good news is that you can get tested in thecomfort of your home. Its easy, you just order Chlamydia test online, andthats it. No trips to the clinics or hospitals, scheduling appointments,sitting in waiting rooms, or feeling uncomfortable due to the lack of privacy.With test kits, your privacy is preserved, and in a few simple steps, you canlearn whether you have oral Chlamydia or not. This gives you the opportunity toget a much-needed treatment, but also to evaluate your sex habits, the choiceof partners, and start taking protection more seriously.
References:
How We Choose Our Recommendations
We customize our evaluation criteria depending on the type and nature of the health-related test. For STD test kits, both individual and multi-test panels, we have five areas that we use to evaluate and ultimately form our recommended tests. They are:
Accuracy: Do the testing companies use the latest and most accurate testing technologies available? How accurate are the tests compared to alternatives?
Value: Are you getting your moneys worth? Are there any hidden costs or charges? Does the test provider offer discounts to our readers?
Customer Support: How well does the testing company help you choose the best test? How clearly are the results presented? How well does the testing company help you understand results and get treatment if necessary?
Privacy: Are all test kits sent in discreet packaging? Will your data be stored securely? Could your data ever be shared without your permission?
Test Results Speed: How fast will you receive your test results from the moment you click buy? Are the waiting times stated by the testing companies accurate and consistent?
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How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed
Of the multiple tests available for diagnosing chlamydia, the nucleic acid amplification test is the most sensitive. First, youll need a samplethose with a penis can give a urine sample, while people with a vagina need a vaginal swab.
Depending on the types of sexual contact you participate in , you may also want to get those other sites tested. If you engage in oral sex and worry you may have pharyngeal chlamydia, you can have a throat swab tested. Similarly, your healthcare provider should obtain a rectal swab if you participate in receptive anal intercourse .
Does Oral Chlamydia Go Away
Chlamydia, whether it is oral or genital does not go away on its own.
It is possible for the symptoms of chlamydia to go away for a short period of time, but that does not mean you no longer have chlamydia. The infection may persist in the body in the absence of treatment .
A short course of antibiotics are required to treat chlamydia, and a follow up test is required to ensure the risk of re-infection.
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What Are The Pros And Cons Of Std Testing Without A Doctor
Not visiting a doctors office and heading directly into STD testing could save you time and money, especially if you dont have health insurance. In addition, during the pandemic routine, in-person medical visits are discouraged to protect patients from potential contagion and to allow hospitals to devote resources to the most urgent needs.
However, deciding on the best STD test for you can be difficult theres a large number of available options, and it can be tough to identify precisely what tests you may need . The most common STDs that physicians screen for are chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.
TheCDC recommends that all sexually active women who are younger than 25 years old be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. Women who are 25 years or older who have new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner with an STD should also be tested every year.
HIV testing often falls into its own category. Testing and care on that front is more likely to be available in clinics but there are also newer tests that can enable sample collection and results at home from start to finish.
Poor sample collection is always a risk in diagnostic testing, but it can be even more of an issue when it comes to collecting a sample by yourself. So be sure to follow the instructions precisely.
How Does A Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Test Work
Screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea can be done at home or at a clinic. A sample of urine is typically sent to a laboratory, which checks the urine for chlamydia and gonorrhea DNA. If you are using the Everlywell at-home test, youâll receive secure, online results just a few days after the lab receives your sample.
Learn more:How to test for gonorrhea
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What Is The Treatment For Chlamydia In The Anus
The treatment for Chlamydia, in general, is to administer antibiotics. Whether it is genital or anal, antibiotics generally work for Chlamydia. Using tetracycline for a week works effectively, and throughout the period of taking medication, the infected patient should stay away from sex and sexual activities.
How Long Does It Take To Get Symptoms Of Gonorrhea
In males, symptoms usually appear two to seven days after infection but it can take as long as 30 days for symptoms to begin. Often, there are no symptoms for people infected with gonorrhea 10 to 15 percent of men and about 80 percent of women may have no symptoms. People with no symptoms are at risk for developing complications to gonorrhea.
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What Is Extragenital Chlamydia Testing
Contrary to popular belief, chlamydia does not always just infect your genitals. In fact, it can also affect your mouth, throat and rectal region. Today, lets take a closer look at the oral version of this sexually transmitted infection . Believe it or not, oral chlamydia is trickier to test for than you may expect.
Gonorrhea Symptoms Are Often Confused For Chlamydia
The most commonly observed symptoms of gonorrhea in both men and women are the same as those experienced with chlamydia: burning during urination, unusual discharge from the penis, vagina or rectum, and pain or bleeding from the rectum. This can sometimes result in a mistaken self-diagnosis of chlamydia. Additional gonorrhea symptoms can include swollen neck lymph nodes, eye pain, light sensitivity, eye discharge and/or swollen, painful joints. In men, symptoms sometimes include pain in the testicles and foreskin inflammation. In women, symptoms may also include pain during intercourse, fever, vulva swelling, heavier periods, bleeding between periods and abdominal or pelvic pain.
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Many People With Gonorrhea Do Not Have Symptoms
Given the long list of symptoms above, you may expect it would be easy to know if you have gonorrhea, but roughly 10-15% of infected men and 80% of infected women experience no symptoms at all. When women do experience symptoms, they are often mild enough to be confused for a bladder or vaginal infection. People with no symptoms often go undiagnosed, placing them at risk for developing complications and for unknowingly spreading the infection to partners.
Can Chlamydia Be Mistaken For Gonorrhea
One of the most distinct similarities between both chlamydia and gonorrhea are the symptoms. Both infections can easily go unnoticed as its common to experience little to no signs or symptoms. Although, when symptoms do appear, they tend to be quite similar, these include:
- Painful urination
- Bleeding between periods
- Burning sensation in genitals
The most reliable way to find out more about your sexual health and whether or not you have contracted chlamydia or gonorrhea is through a reliable lab test.
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How Do You Use The At
Depending on which test you order, there are likely specific instructions regarding how to activate and submit your testing kit. Everything you need to collect your sample will be included in the kit. Those with a penis will need to collect their initial stream of urine , while people with a vagina may use a vagina or cervical swab to collect their sample.
Read the instructions carefully to ensure the most accurate results. Dont hesitate to contact the company if you have any questions or concerns regarding the testing process.
What Happens If Chlamydia Goes Untreated
If a person is not treated for chlamydia, complications may occur. Women frequently develop pelvic inflammatory disease . PID can cause infertility , chronic pelvic pain, tubal pregnancies, and the continued spread of the disease. In men, untreated chlamydia can cause urethral infection and complications such as swollen and tender testicles. Chlamydia infection during pregnancy may result in premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery and possible tubal pregnancy in a small percent of women. In addition, chlamydia can cause conjunctival and pneumonic infection in the newborn. Persons with a chlamydia infection have an increased chance of getting other infections such as gonorrhea or HIV.
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How Long Can Chlamydia Lay Dormant
22 February 2021
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the UK. In 2018 alone, 49% of all new diagnoses of STDs were Chlamydia. A possible reason for this is that the Chlamydia can lay dormant for many years without the carrier knowing. In this blog, we will look at how Chlamydia is transmitted, and how to prevent and treat it.
What Is Chlamydia And How Is It Transmitted
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK.
It is transmitted through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex, but not through kissing, hugging, sharing baths, towels, cups, swimming pools or toilet seats, as the bacteria cant survive outside the body for long.
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Can You Pass Chlamydia On Without Symptoms
Even if you are asymptomatic with Chlamydia, it is still possible to pass on the disease. The viral infection transmits via bodily fluids during sexual activity, therefore it is vitally important to practise safe sex and be tested regularly to ensure that you are clean of sexually transmitted infections. Visit our website to learn more about home testing.
Some Stds Show No Symptoms
Many STDs go unnoticed because they are asymptomatic until the later stages of the disease. You cant tell someone has an STD just by looking at them. For example, on average, people with HIV do not develop symptoms for a couple of years after being infected. The only way to prevent future complications is to get tested regularly in order to ensure early detection.
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How Do You Know If You Have Gonorrhea
You could have: Evidence of gonorrhea can show up outside the genital tract. You might have symptoms in any of these areas: Rectum. You may itch or be sore, have discharge, pain during bowel movements, or even bleed from your anus. If youre a woman, your rectum can be infected even if you havent had anal sex.
How Can I Avoid A Chlamydia Throat Infection
Now that you know a bit more about oral chlamydia, heres how to lower your risk of infection:
Use Condoms
When we say wear condoms during sex, dont forget that this includes oral sex, the leading cause of oral chlamydia. If a partner has chlamydia on their genital area and you go down on them, the infection can be passed to your mouth. On the other hand, if your partner has chlamydia on their mouth and they go down on you, it can be passed to your genitals. While condoms dont always prevent STIs, they definitely lower your risk.
Have The Talk With Your Partner
Communication is important in any relationship, whether its a one-night stand or youre with a monogamous partner. Being open with one another, and making sure that you dont fool around with someone who has not been tested, will help you to avoid unwanted infections. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to most things, and that includes sexually transmitted infections. We get it: having the talk can be awkward. But getting an STI is way more inconvenient. Own your confidence and be unabashed about your own wellness.
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Who Is At Risk For Chlamydia
This STD is particularly common in young people. According to a CDC report, chlamydia prevalence among sexually active persons aged 14-24 years is nearly three times the prevalence among those aged 25-39 years. It is more prevalent among young women because at that age the cervix is still developing and is much more susceptible to the bacteria. Additionally, the vagina and cervix provide more surface area than the penis, which makes it easier for women to contract the bacteria.
Whether chlamydia symptoms are present or not, untreated chlamydia can travel to the upper genital tract and cause serious health problems. In women, chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and cause permanent damage leading to infertility or potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy. In men, untreated cases can lead to epididymitis, which can, but very rarely does, cause sterility.
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