What Is A Chlamydia Screening

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

How Accurate Are Chlamydia And Gonorrhoea Tests

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea tests are 99.9% accurate. But it is also important to remember that no test is 100% accurate. If you have any questions about your test results or your risk of infection, contact us

Your chlamydia or gonorrhoea test will be more accurate if you wait at least 2 weeks after having unprotected sex before testing.

Your test kit could include:

• a vaginal, rectal or throat swab
• a urine sample pot.

Dont Miss: Will 1000mg Of Azithromycin Cure Chlamydia

Im Pregnant How Does Chlamydia Affect My Baby

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

If you are pregnant, you should receive testing for chlamydia at your first prenatal visit. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting the correct examination, testing, and treatment. Testing and treatment are the best ways to prevent health problems.

Don’t Miss: Cpt Code For Gonorrhea And Chlamydia Urine Test

Pooled Testing For Chlamydia Trachomatis

Almeria and colleagues stated that pooled testing for CT and NG may be a cost-saving solution to increase screening by simplifying testing procedures and reducing resource burdens. In a systematic review and meta-analysis, these researchers examined the performance of pooled 3-anatomic-site testing for CT and NG in comparison with single-anatomic-site testing. They carried out a systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to identify original evaluation studies of the performance of pooled testing for CT and NG infections and identified 14 studies for inclusion. Each study was systematically evaluated for bias. These investigators performed bi-variate fixed-effects and random-effects meta-analyses using a full Bayesian method of the positive percent agreement and negative percent agreement. The combined positive percent agreement for CT was 93.11 % , and the negative percent agreement was 99.44 % . For NG, the combined positive percent agreement was 93.80 % , and the negative percent agreement was 99.73 % . The authors found that pooled 3-anatomic-site tests performed similarly to single-anatomic-site tests for the detection of CT and NG. The pooled 3-anatomic-site tests have the added potential benefit of reduced cost and resource requirement, which could lead to improved testing access and screening uptake.

Nucleic Acid Amplification Test

NAAT tests find out the genetic material of Chlamydia bacteria. A positive test implies that the problem exists. A false-positive test is a false alarm that only appears to detect a disease or condition when infact the disease is not present.

A Polymerase Chain Reaction test is a type of Nucleic Acid Amplification test. It is conducted on a urine sample. The NAA test is a molecular test that detects the genetic material of Chlamydia Trachomatis. It is the most accurate and specific test than those others available for detecting Chlamydia. It can be performed on a vaginal swab on women, or urine from both men and women. Women need not go through any pelvic exam for a NAA test.

Don’t Miss: How Can I Get Antibiotics For Chlamydia

How Chlamydia Is Treated

Chlamydia can usually be treated easily with antibiotics.

You may be given a course of doxycycline to take for a week or azithromycin to take once a day for 3 days.

If you have doxycycline, you should not have sex until you and your current sexual partner have finished treatment.

If you have azithromycin, you should wait 7 days after treatment before having sex .

It’s important that your current sexual partner and any other recent sexual partners you have had are also tested and treated to help stop the spread of the infection.

Under-25s who have chlamydia should be offered another test 3 to 6 months after being treated.

This is because young adults who test positive for chlamydia are at increased risk of catching it again.

Sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinics can help you contact your sexual partners.

Either you or the clinic can speak to them, or they can be sent a note advising them to get tested.

The note will not have your name on it, so your confidentiality will be protected.

What Does The Chlamydia Test Involve

The recommended tests for chlamydia are simple, painless and generally very reliable.

They involve sending a sample of cells to a laboratory for analysis. You don’t necessarily have to be examined by a doctor or nurse first and can often collect the sample yourself.

There are two main ways the sample can be collected:

• urinating into a container this should ideally be done at least 1 hour after you last urinated

The results will normally be available in 7 to 10 days. If there’s a high chance you have chlamydia for example, you have symptoms of the infection or your partner has been diagnosed with it and you’ve had unprotected sex with them you might start treatment before you get your results.

Read more about treating chlamydia.

Don’t Miss: Does Chlamydia Always Get Passed On

When Is The Test For Hiv False

Likelihood of false-negative results is high if you took the test during the window period. To avoid false-negative results, you should repeat the test after the window period. If the initial testing was during the first 12 weeks after possible exposure, the test should be repeated after an extra 12 weeks for more reliable results.6

Chlamydia Screening: What About The Men

Article notesCopyright and License informationDisclaimerContributors

All of the authors assisted in the research, writing, and editing of this letter.

The recent article by Braun and Provost1 addresses increasing access to health care to improve chlamydia screening. Chlamydia rates are currently estimated at 4.2% among young adults in the general US population, and current recommendations require annual screening for all sexually active females aged 25 years or younger.2 The Healthy People 2010 goals regarding chlamydia are: To reduce the proportion of adolescents and young adults with Chlamydia trachomatis infections to 3% by 2010, and Increase the proportion of sexually active females aged 24 years and under who are screened annually for genital Chlamydia infections.3 In their article, Braun and Provost explored the effects of broadening access to health care on chlamydia screening rates.

Braun and Provost’s article is an excellent starting point for further discussions on policy that can improve access to sexual health care for both male and female adolescent patients. Further research is needed to investigate health care utilization of adolescent males in school-based health clinics. Most important, future research is needed on chlamydia screening programs directed toward adolescent and young adult males in hopes of generalizing screening guidelines and policies.

You May Like: Long Term Effects Of Chlamydia For Males

New With Sam: The Combination Of Std Home Test And Professional Laboratory Test

The s.a.m home test is unique. This innovative offer combines the convenient home test with a high-quality laboratory test. This allows discreet sampling at home and at the same time professional analysis by a certified laboratory.

The S.A.M home test checks for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia.

S.A.M offers an introduction to the test procedure at several checkpoints in German cities. Here you will be instructed by specialist staff on how to take correct urine and blood samples, take swabs and send them to a laboratory.

Thanks to a practical reminder function, the S.A.M. test is sent to your home on a regular basis. The highest level of discretion is observed. You will receive a customer number and your test results will remain completely anonymous in the laboratory.

The samples for the S.A.M home test are analysed by the Lademannbogen laboratory in Hamburg. This is a medical laboratory that is recognised by the German Accreditation Body .

The S.A.M. test allows the diagnosis of four infections in one set. Discrete sampling at home removes the major obstacle to being tested at all. As a result, significantly more people today have access to high-quality diagnostics of sexually transmitted diseases.

=======INFOGRAPHIC=========

Also Check: What Antibiotics Get Rid Of Chlamydia

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.

Read Also: Can Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Be Treated With The Same Medicine

How Will I Get My Results

Your doctor will call you with the results of your test. Be sure you give your doctor your preferred phone number where you can have privacy, such as a mobile phone number. If you dont want them to leave you a voicemail, be sure you tell them before you leave your appointment.

A urine test is much faster to analyze. Your doctor should be able to tell you the results on the same day as your appointment. The downside is that urine tests may not be as accurate as traditional swab testing.

However, urine testing may be more suitable for people assigned male at birth. Its also used for more advanced signs of chlamydia, as your body will have a greater number of bacteria to detect at this stage.

What Does The Test Result Mean

A positive test indicates you have an active chlamydia infection that requires treatment with antibiotics.

A negative test means only that there is no evidence of infection at the time of the test. If you are at an increased risk, it is important that you have screening tests performed yearly to check for possible infection, especially since re-infection is common, particularly among teenagers.

If you are infected, your sexual partner should be tested and treated as well.

Also Check: Is Chlamydia A Blood Test

Is There Anything Else I Need To Know About A Chlamydia Test

Chlamydia testing can help you avoid lasting health problems and stop the spread of this disease. You can also take steps to protect yourself from getting chlamydia.

• Having sex with only one partner who has tested negative for STDs and who has sex only with you
• Using condoms correctly every time you have sex

The Above Policy Is Based On The Following References:

Don’t Miss: Do Condoms Protect Against Chlamydia

Accuracy Of Screening Tests And Risk Assessment

The USPSTF found convincing evidence that clinicians could identify sexually active women at increased risk for chlamydial and gonococcal infections. It found adequate evidence that clinicians could identify sexually active men at increased risk for chlamydial and gonococcal infections. Seven new fair-quality studies with more than 93,000 participants were included in the analysis.34-39 In asymptomatic individuals, 3 studies with 71,636 participants that used a risk score to identify persons with chlamydial or gonococcal infections reported an area under the curve of 0.64 to 0.73.34-36 One study showed that age alone had accuracy similar to that for the use of more extensive risk criteria.39

Is Chlamydia Serious

Although chlamydia does not usually cause any symptoms and can normally be treated with a short course of antibiotics, it can be serious if it’s not treated early on.

If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of your body and lead to long-term health problems, especially in women.

In women, untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease , ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

In men, in rare cases, chlamydia can spread to the testicles and epididymis , causing them to become painful and swollen. This is known as epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis .

It can also sometimes cause reactive arthritis in men and women.

This is why it’s important to get tested and treated as soon as possible if you think you might have chlamydia.

Testing for chlamydia is done with a urine test or a swab test.

You do not always need a physical examination by a nurse or doctor.

Anyone can get a free and confidential chlamydia test at a sexual health clinic, a genitourinary medicine clinic or a GP surgery.

In England, if you’re a woman under 25 years old, you may be offered a chlamydia test when you visit some health services, for example a pharmacy or GP. This offer is part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme .

If you’re offered a chlamydia test you should consider taking it.

If you’re a woman, sexually active and under 25 in England, it’s recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year, and when you have sex with new or casual partners.

Recommended Reading: Can Chlamydia Make You Feel Sick

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:

Best Practice : Use The Least Invasive High

According to the 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines from CDC, chlamydia can be diagnosed in women by testing clinician-collected, self-collected vaginal swabs, or urine specimens. Systems should be developed to make all of these options available, and all efforts should be made to use the least invasive, high-quality test that is acceptable to, and convenient for, the client.

You May Like: I Got Treated For Chlamydia And Still Have Symptoms

How Does Evidence Fit With Biological Understanding

Chlamydial and gonococcal infections are often asymptomatic in women. Untreated infections may progress to PID-related complications such as chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, or infertility. Infections may also be transmitted to sex partners and newborn children. Accurate screening tests and effective antibiotic treatments are available for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

In men, gonococcal infections are more commonly symptomatic compared with women. Serious complications from infection are less common in men.

Studies on assessing risk and for whom screening may be most effective are a high priority.

The CDC recommends annual chlamydia and gonorrhea testing in all sexually active women younger than 25 years and in older women at increased risk of infection . It also recommends screening for both infections in pregnant women younger than 25 years and in older pregnant women at increased risk for infection during their first prenatal visit and again during their third trimester if risk remains high.16

The American Academy of Family Physicians follows the 2014 USPSTF chlamydia and gonorrhea screening recommendations.58 The American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations align with the CDC guidelines.59