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What Causes Gonorrhea And Chlamydia

How Gonorrhea And Chlamydia Are Tested

Chlamydial Infection and Gonorrhea Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Both gonorrhea and chlamydia can be diagnosed with similar methods. A healthcare provider might do a physical examination to look for symptoms, and they may do a urine test to check for the bacteria that cause chlamydia or gonorrhea.

But screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea doesnât have to take place at a clinic. With the Everlywell at-home Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test, you can easily check for these STIs from the comfort and privacy of your home.

The kit comes with easy-to-follow instructions and everything you need to collect your sample at home, and your physician-reviewed results can be conveniently and securely viewed online on your device. Plus, if you receive a positive result after you get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea with the Everlywell at-home test, youâll have the opportunity to connect with our independent physician networkâand may be prescribed medication to treat the infection.

How Can Gonorrhea Be Prevented

Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of gonorrhea 22. The surest way to avoid transmission of gonorrhea or other STDs is to abstain from vaginal, anal, and oral sex, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.

Frequently Asked Questionsexpand All

  • What is a sexually transmitted infection ?

    A sexually transmitted infection is an infection spread by sexual contact. There are many STIs. This FAQ focuses on chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. These STIs can cause long-term health problems and problems during pregnancy. Having an STI also increases the risk of getting human immunodeficiency virus if you are exposed to it.

  • What is chlamydia?

    Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STI in the United States. Chlamydia is caused by a type of bacteria, which can be passed from person to person during vaginal sex, oral sex, or anal sex. Infections can occur in the mouth, reproductive organs, urethra, and rectum. In women, the most common place for infection is the cervix .

  • What are the risk factors for chlamydia?

    The following factors increase the risk of getting chlamydia:

  • Having a new sex partner

  • Having more than one sex partner

  • Having a sex partner who has more than one sex partner

  • Having sex with someone who has an STI

  • Having an STI now or in the past

  • Not using condoms consistently when not in a mutually monogamous relationship

  • Exchanging sex for money or drugs

  • What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

    Chlamydia usually does not cause symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may show up between a few days and several weeks after infection. They may be very mild and can be mistaken for a urinary tract or vaginal infection. The most common symptoms in women include

  • yellow discharge from the vagina or urethra

  • yellow vaginal discharge

  • Recommended Reading: What Medication Treats Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

    Im Pregnant How Does Chlamydia Affect My Baby

    If you are pregnant and have chlamydia, you can pass the infection to your baby during delivery. This could cause an eye infection or pneumonia in your newborn. Having chlamydia may also make it more likely to deliver your baby too early.

    If you are pregnant, you should get tested for chlamydia at your first prenatal visit. Testing and treatment are the best ways to prevent health problems.

    How Long Until Chlamydia Causes Damage

    Chlamydia versus gonorrhea

    Symptoms usually appear within one to three weeks after being infected and may be very mild. If not treated, chlamydia can lead to damage to the reproductive system. In women, chlamydial infection can spread to the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease , according to the CDC.

    Read Also: Is Chlamydia Curable Or Treatable

    Recommended Reading: How Soon Can I Test For Chlamydia

    What Are The Risks Of Chlamydia Or Gonorrhea During Pregnancy

    Getting chlamydia or gonorrhea while pregnant can lead to:

    • Stillbirth: bacterial infections, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, might cause stillbirth , even though more research is needed to confirm this risk.
    • Preterm delivery: which is when a baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy. This can be problematic as the earlier a baby is delivered the higher the risk of health complications.

    Gonorrhea Chlamydia And Syphilis

    What are gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis?Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are sexually transmitted diseases . These three STDs can cause serious, long-term problems if they are not treated, especially for teenagers and young women.What causes gonorrhea and chlamydia?Both gonorrhea and chlamydia are caused by bacteria. The bacteria are passed from one person to another through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Gonorrhea and chlamydia often occur together.Where do these infections occur?Gonorrhea and chlamydia infections can occur in the mouth, reproductive organs, urethra, and rectum. In women, the most common place is the cervix .At what age do these infections most commonly occur?Although gonorrhea and chlamydia can occur at any age, women 25 years and younger are at greater risk of both infections.What are the symptoms of gonorrhea and chlamydia?Women with gonorrhea or chlamydia often have no symptoms. When symptoms from either infection do occur, they may show up 2 days to 3 weeks after infection. They may be very mild and can be mistaken for a urinary tract or vaginal infection. The most common symptoms in women include the following:

    • A yellow vaginal discharge
    • Vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods
    • Rectal bleeding, discharge, or pain

    Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are sexually transmitted diseases . These three STDs can cause serious, long-term problems if they are not treated, especially for teenagers and young women.

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    What Can Be Done To Prevent The Spread Of Gonorrhea

    Sexual relations should be approached responsibly.

    • Limit the number of your sex partners.
    • Use a male or female condom.
    • If you think you are infected, avoid any sexual contact and visit a local sexually transmitted disease clinic, hospital or your doctor.
    • Notify all sexual contacts immediately so that they can be examined and treated by a health care provider.

    How Do I Know If I Have Chlamydia

    Gonorrhea & Chlamydia Trachomatis â Infectious Diseases | Lecturio

    Most people who have chlamydia have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may not appear until several weeks after you have sex with an infected partner. Even when chlamydia causes no symptoms, it can damage your reproductive system.

    Women with symptoms may notice

    • An abnormal vaginal discharge
    • A burning sensation when urinating.

    Symptoms in men can include

    • A discharge from their penis
    • A burning sensation when urinating
    • Pain and swelling in one or both testicles .

    Men and women can also get infected with chlamydia in their rectum. This happens either by having receptive anal sex, or by spread from another infected site . While these infections often cause no symptoms, they can cause

    • Rectal pain
    • Discharge
    • Bleeding.

    You should be examined by your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or if your partner has an STD or symptoms of an STD. STD symptoms can include an unusual sore, a smelly discharge, burning when urinating, or bleeding between periods.

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    Gonorrhea And Chlamydia: Knowing The Difference

    Medically reviewed by Neka Miller, PhD on March 26, 2020. 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.

    Both gonorrhea and chlamydia are sexually transmitted infections that share a number of similarities. Theyâre both very common STIs . Their symptoms often resemble each other. And they can both have long-term health consequences if they arenât treated. So whatâs the difference between these two?

    Keep reading for a closer look at the symptoms of chlamydia vs. gonorrhea, how they can affect your health, and how you can check for both STIs with a single chlamydia and gonorrhea test you can take at home.

    What Measures Can I Take To Prevent These Conditions

    The only way that you can completely prevent yourself from catching chlamydia, gonorrhea, or another STI is by abstaining from sexual activity.

    But there are also plenty of ways you can reduce your risk of contracting or transmitting these infections:

  • Use protection. Both male and female condoms are effective in helping to reduce your risk from infection by either bacteria. Using proper protection during oral or anal sex can also reduce your risk of infection.
  • Limit your sexual partners. The more sex partners you have, the more you risk exposing yourself to an infection. And because these STIs may not cause noticeable symptoms, sex partners may not know they have the condition.
  • Get regularly tested. Whether youre having sex with multiple people or not, regular STI tests can help you remain aware of your sexual health and ensure that youre not unknowingly transmitting an infection to others. Regular testing can also help you identify an infection even if youre not experiencing any symptoms.
  • Dont use products that affect your vaginal bacteria. Healthy bacteria in the vagina helps fight off infections. Using products like douches or scented odor-reduction products can upset the balance of vaginal flora and make you more susceptible to infection.
  • Also Check: How Long It Takes For Chlamydia To Go Away

    How Is Chlamydia And Trichomoniasis And Gonorrhea Treated

    The recommended treatment is an injection of one antibiotic followed by a single pill of another antibiotic. If the injection is not available, you can take two types of antibiotic pills. This treatment also is effective against chlamydia. Your sex partners also need to be tested for gonorrhea and treated.

    Recommended Reading: How You Get Rid Of Chlamydia

    How Soon Do Symptoms Appear

    what causes 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. These people also spread this infection unknowingly.

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    What Is Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

    Both gonorrhea and chlamydia are common sexually transmitted infections occurring in men and women. So how do you get gonorrhea and chlamydia? They are transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone whoâs infected.

    Both infections are caused by bacteriaâChlamydia trachomatis in cases of chlamydia and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in cases of gonorrhea.

    Although gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection, chlamydia has a higher prevalenceâwith over 1.7 million cases of chlamydia reported in the United States in 2017.

    Risk factors for getting gonorrhea and chlamydia are often identical and include:

    • Having multiple sex partners. You’re more likely to be exposed to someone with a sexually transmitted infection if you have multiple sex partners.
    • Unprotected sex. Condom usage during sex substantially reduces the risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection, so your risk is higher if you have unprotected sex.
    • Having other STIs: If you already have a sexually transmitted infection, you can be at a greater risk of getting another STI. For example, if you contract chlamydia, you could be more likely to contract gonorrhea.

    Chlamydia Signs In Females Antibiotics For Gonorrhea And Chlamydia

    Chlamydia is often called the silent infection. Thats due to the fact that people with chlamydia may not experience signs and symptoms in any way.

    If a lady agreements the STI, it may take several weeks prior to any type of signs appear.

    A few of one of the most usual symptoms of chlamydia in ladies include:

    • agonizing sexual intercourse
    • discomfort in the reduced abdomen
    • inflammation of the cervix
    • bleeding in between durations

    In some women, the infection can spread to the fallopian tubes, which may cause a problem called pelvic inflammatory illness .

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    How Do You Know If Chlamydia Is Gone After Treatment

    If youve had treatment after testing and taking the right antibiotics, its always important to confirm chlamydia cure. You can wait till five weeks after medications and recheck for chlamydia to verify cure.

    If you still test positive after five weeks, please let your health professional know right away

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    How Is Each Condition Analyzed

    Clinical Pearls for Chlamydia & Gonorrhea

    Both STIs can be analyzed utilizing comparable analytic strategies. Your PCP may utilize at least one of these tests to guarantee that the analysis is exact and that the correct treatment is given:

    • physical assessment to search for side effects of a STI and decide your general wellbeing
    • Urine test to test your pee for the microscopic organisms that cause chlamydia or gonorrhea
    • blood test to test for indications of bacterial contamination
    • swab culture to take an example of release from your penis, vagina, or butt to test for indications of infection

    Complications from Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

    Since these two maladies regularly have no manifestations, a few people go untreated.

    Indeed, even with the individuals who have indications, disgrace, access, or different reasons impede getting clinical consideration.

    Not accepting brief and legitimate treatment can make genuine medical issues.

    For ladies, chlamydia and gonorrhea that goes untreated can spread through your uterus to your fallopian tubes.

    Fallopian tubes interface the ovaries to the uterus and transport prepared eggs during pregnancy. In the event that untreated microbes that cause gonorrhea and chlamydia spread to this region, the outcome is pelvic incendiary ailment , influencing around 5% of ladies in the US.

    Pelvic incendiary malady, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, can have no side effects or simply some pelvic or stomach torment at first.

    Sadly, PID can harm a ladies conceptive framework, including:

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    How Can I Protect Myself From Chlamydia

    The only way to avoid getting chlamydia is to abstain from having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has a chlamydia infection. And be sure that sex toys that carry the bacteria dont come in contact with your genitals.

    Its not always possible to know if a current or potential partner has chlamydia, though, especially since many people with chlamydia never notice symptoms. With prevention in mind, its a good idea to make safer sex practices a regular part of your sex life:

    • Use condoms during intercourse, anal sex and oral sex.
    • Use dental dams during oral sex or vagina-to-vagina contact.
    • Dont share sex toys, but if you do, wash them after each use and cover toys used for penetration with a condom.
    • Have sex with only one partner, who only has sex with you.

    Im Pregnant How Does Gonorrhea Affect My Baby

    If you are pregnant and have gonorrhea, you can give the infection to your baby during delivery. This can cause serious health problems for your baby. If you are pregnant, it is important that you talk to your health care provider so that you get the correct examination, testing, and treatment, as necessary. Treating gonorrhea as soon as possible will make health complications for your baby less likely.

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    Women Difficulties Of Unattended Chlamydia

    Some ladies establish PID, an infection that can damage the womb, cervix, and ovaries. PID is an excruciating condition that commonly calls for healthcare facility treatment.

    Women can also end up being infertile if chlamydia is left without treatment due to the fact that the fallopian tubes might end up being scarred.

    Expecting females with the infection can pass the microorganisms to their babies during birth, which can cause eye infections and pneumonia in infants. What Happens If You Have Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

    How Do People Get Gonorrhea

    Gonorrhea: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications

    Gonorrhea is transmitted through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected partner. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired. Gonorrhea can also be spread perinatally from mother to baby during childbirth.

    People who have had gonorrhea and received treatment may be reinfected if they have sexual contact with a person infected with gonorrhea.

    Read Also: How Long Does Chlamydia Last Untreated

    Chlamydia Signs In Men

    Numerous men dont discover the symptoms of chlamydia. A lot of males have no symptoms whatsoever.

    If signs and symptoms do appear, its generally 1 to 3 weeks after transmission.

    Several of one of the most usual signs and symptoms of chlamydia in men include:

    • shedding experience during urination
    • yellow or green discharge from the penis
    • pain in the lower abdomen
    • pain in the testicles

    Its also feasible to get a chlamydia infection in the rectum. In this instance, the main symptoms are frequently discharge, discomfort, as well as bleeding from this location.

    Having foreplay with somebody who has the infection increases the threat of getting chlamydia in the throat. Signs and symptoms can consist of an aching throat, coughing, or high temperature. Its additionally possible to bring bacteria in the throat as well as not know it. What Happens If You Have Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

    What Are The Treatments For Gonorrhea Can Gonorrhea Be Cured

    In the past, the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea was fairly simple. A single injection of penicillin cured almost every infected person. Unfortunately, there are new strains of gonorrhea that have become resistant to various antibiotics, including penicillins, and are therefore more difficult to treat. Fortunately, gonorrhea can still be treated by other injectable or oral medications.

    Uncomplicated gonococcal infections of the cervix, urethra, and rectum, are usually treated by a single injection of ceftriaxone intramuscularly or by cefixime in a single oral dose. For uncomplicated gonococcal infections of the pharynx, the recommended treatment is ceftriaxone in a single IM dose.

    Alternative regimens for uncomplicated gonococcal infections of the cervix, urethra, and rectum is spectinomycin in nonpregnant women in a single IM dose or single doses of cephalosporins , or cefotaxime).

    It is important to note that doxycycline, one of the recommended drugs for treatment of PID, is not recommended for use in pregnant women.

    Gonorrhea is one of the easier STIs to prevent because the bacterium that causes the infection can survive only under certain conditions. The use of condoms protects against gonorrhea infection. Since the organism can live in the throat, condoms should be used during oral-genital contact as well.

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