What Should I Do If My Test Results Are Positive
Most at-home STI testing companies have healthcare professionals on staff who will call you to discuss next steps.
Gonorrhea cant go away on its own. So, the first step will involve going on antibiotics, which will either include an intramuscular injection or oral dose. The exact dosage and type of medication will vary based on how much the infection has progressed. Learn more about gonorrhea treatment here.
Next, they will help you figure out how to talk with your current partner, as well as determine how far back in your sexual history you should be alerting folks. .
Finally, 1 to 2 weeks later, your healthcare professional will have you get re-tested for gonorrhea. This is known as test-of-cure and is important because reinfection is super common. Experts also
How Long Can You Have Chlamydia Without Knowing
Chlamydia is sometimes called a silent infection because the majority of people who have chlamydia regardless of gender never notice symptoms. People who do notice symptoms often dont recognize the signs that they have chlamydia until a few weeks after theyve been infected. Because chlamydia cases are often asymptomatic, its easy to spread chlamydia to someone else without realizing it. And its easy to miss out on receiving the treatment needed to prevent the serious complications that can result from chlamydia.
Symptoms Of Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
Symptoms may appear a few weeks after youve been infected, or not at all. For those who have developed symptoms, these are the most common:
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Abnormal vaginal or penal discharge
- Abnormal discharge from the rectum
- Pain or bleeding from the rectum
- Pain or swelling in testicles
- Mouth and throat symptoms, such as sore throat and a cough
Whether you are experiencing one of these symptoms or not, its important to check your sexual health status. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are both treatable STDs. But when left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause irreparable damage to your health.
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How Do I Know If I Have Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems, even without symptoms.
Most women with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Symptoms in women can include:
- Painful or burning sensation when peeing
- Increased vaginal discharge and
Men who do have symptoms may have:
- A burning sensation when peeing
- Painful or swollen testicles .
Rectal infections may either cause no symptoms or cause symptoms in both men and women that may include:
Hiv And Stds Are Spread In The Same Ways
You can get HIV or an STD by having sex without a condom with a person who is already infected. HIV and some STDs can be passed from a mother to her baby while she is pregnant, during birth or through breast feeding. HIV and some STDs can also be spread by sharing drug works with someone who has HIV or an STD.
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Possible Impacts Of Untreated Infections
While some people may have a chlamydia or gonorrhea infection without knowing it, it won’t go away without being treated. Some of the long-term impacts of the two infections are similar.
Among other health concerns, some of the possible conditions that can occur if either infection is left untreated include:
- Pregnancy concerns, including preterm birth, in the case of chlamydia
- Inflammation or scarring in the genital area
- Arthritis that is associated with swelling in the joints and can spread to other parts the body
Can Gonorrhea Be Cured
Yes. Prompt treatment can cure gonorrhea. Take all medicine as your healthcare provider instructs, even if your symptoms improve and you start to feel better. Also, never take someone elses medicine to treat your illness. Doing so makes the infection harder to treat.
Taking all antibiotics as prescribed is always important, but its especially important with gonorrhea. Gonorrhea is curable now, but its becoming more resistant to antibiotics. Some forms of gonorrhea that have developed a high level of antibiotic resistance are commonly referred to as super gonorrhea.
To ensure that gonorrhea remains curable, its more important than ever that everyone take medications as prescribed and that everyone takes steps to prevent infection.
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Treatment For Chlamydia Is Quick And Easy
Two antibiotics are most often used for treating chlamydia:
- Azithromycin The main treatment for chlamydia is one gram of azithromycin, taken one time, says , deputy director of clinical services for public health with the Seattle and King County HIV and STD Program in Washington. That one gram comes as either two pills or four pills. It is not expensive.
- Doxycycline If your doctor prescribes doxycycline, you will take two pills daily for one week. It costs somewhat more than azithromycin.
Antibiotics can also cure chlamydia in infants, who can get the infection from their mothers, and treatment is essential for them. Without treatment, infants infected with chlamydia can develop conjunctivitis, which can cause blindness, or pneumonia, which can be fatal.
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D Sexually Transmitted Infections
A urinalysis can give clues to the presence of sexually transmitted infections. A positive dipstick for leukocyte esterase or increased numbers of white blood cells in the microscopic exam is suggestive of chlamydia or gonoccocal infection. However, because of its low sensitivity this test should not be considered an effective screening method for these infections. For example, in one study, the presence of leukocyte esterase was only 61% sensitive for chlamydia infections in males.3 For a complete discussion of screening refugees for STIs, see Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections.
This panel provides an assessment of sexual health by screening for three common sexually transmitted infections :
Preparation
For your urine test, itâs best not to urinate for two hours before your sample collection urinating within this period could affect the accuracy of your results.
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How Common Is Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
Chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States. In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received reports of approximately 1.76 million new cases of chlamydia. However, as some people do not know symptoms, its estimated that the actual number of new annual cases is closer to 2.86 million. Gonorrhea isnt quite as common, with the CDC estimating there are approximately 820,000 new infections in the United States every year.
How Can I Protect Myself From Chlamydia
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:
- 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.
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Chlamydia And Gonorrhea: Similarities Differences Treatments More
- Oyewale Oyelami
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are infections contracted through the bodily fluid exchange during sexual activities. These two infections are caused by bacteria and are very common among sexually active people
In 2018, chlamydia recorded a rate of 539.9 cases for every 100,000 people, while gonorrhea had 179 cases per 100,000 people, according to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention .
You can get any of these infections if you have sexual contact with an infected person without using a condom. The symptoms of the infections are similar in nature, so it can be challenging to tell them apart without a diagnostic test by a doctor.
Need help with Gonorrhea?
Most people with chlamydia or gonorrhea may not experience symptoms. However, in cases where the symptoms occur, there are similarities between the two infections.
Chlamydia is more prevalent than gonorrhea. A 2017 report showed that over 1.7 million chlamydia cases were reported in the US alone, while 550,000 cases of gonorrhea were recorded. If left untreated, these infections can cause severe health complications.
So How Does Someone Get Chlamydia Or Gonorrhea
The bacteria that cause chlamydia or gonorrhea can spread very easily through any type of sexual contact The tricky thing is that a lot of people dont know they have an STI, at least in the first few weeks. a hidden epidemic). In the meantime, an infected person can unintentionally get someone else sick. Condoms may help reduce that risk, but they are not 100% effective, even when used correctly. The only way to protect oneself against these STIs is to either abstain from any sexual activity or to be in a long-term, trusted, and monogamous relationship such as marriage.
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You Said Common But How Common Exactly
The bad news is that new STI cases have been increasing year after year. In 2019, almost 2 million new chlamydia infections were reported to the CDC nationally, as well as over 600,000 new gonorrhea contaminations. In addition, its important to note that young people are the most at risk, with over half of new chlamydia cases reported in those aged 15-24. And what about Missouri more specifically? According to official statistics, 42,358 new cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea were reported in the previous year alone.
What Should Someone Do If They Suspect They May Have Chlamydia Or Gonorrhea
The first step is to get tested. Lifeline offers no-cost testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea in a friendly environment, free of judgment. The urine test is not painful, and results come in just a couple of days. We will inform you of the next steps if your test comes back positive. Lifeline is not a substitute for medical care. We advise that anyone who has been confirmed for an STI schedule a follow-up with their doctor. Its also recommended to avoid any sexual activity during treatment, as well as to inform any sexual partners so that they can get tested as well. To learn more about what to expect during an STI testing appointment at Lifeline, please visit our service page.
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How To Prevent Both Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
There are many actions you can take to prevent both chlamydia and gonorrhea, although the most full-proof method is to abstain from sexual activity.
However, those who partake in sexual activities can still protect themselves and their partners.
Limiting sexual partners can also help to prevent these STIs since the more sexual partners you have, the greater the risk of infection exposures. Since chlamydia and gonorrhea may not cause symptoms, it is very easy for them to spread between sexual partners unknowingly.
Finally, regular testing for STIs can help you understand your sexual health and receive treatment if any infections are detected. If you have an STI with no symptoms, regular testing is the only way to diagnose the infection and begin treatment before the infection has time to cause complications.
How To Treat Gonorrhea And Chlamydia At Home: Get Tested
Taking antibiotics is the only way to treat gonorrhea and chlamydia, and these antibiotics must be prescribed by a physician. This means you cannot treat these STDs at home. But there is something you can do at home: get tested. The results of this at-home test will determine whether or not you need to contact a medical professional to discuss treatment options.
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How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed
The most common test for chlamydia is called a nucleic acid amplification test . Your provider takes a sample of fluid by doing a vaginal/cervical swab or collecting a urine sample. Then, they send the sample off to a lab to check for the bacteria that causes chlamydia. Your provider may do the test in an office, or they may ask you to do an at-home chlamydia test. Follow your providers instructions carefully to ensure you get accurate test results.
Because most chlamydia cases are asymptomatic, its important to get screened for chlamydia even if you dont notice any signs of infection. The CDC recommends that sexually active cisgender women who are high-risk for chlamydia get screened regularly. Women, more so than men, experience the most severe complications from chlamydia. Transgender men and nonbinary individuals with vaginas should be screened regularly, too, as they can experience the same complications of chlamydia.
Youre considered high-risk if you:
- Have had chlamydia infections previously.
Cisgender men, or trans and nonbinary individuals with penises, should be screened for chlamydia if:
- They live in a setting where chlamydia spreads frequently, like correctional facilities, adolescent clinics and sexual health clinics.
- They have sex with other men.
Rates Of Chlamydia And Gonorrhea In The Us
Chlamydia infections in the United States are much more common than gonorrhea. According to a 2019 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, there were:
- 1.8 million reported cases of chlamydia, with rates of infection up 19% since 2015
- 616,192 cases of gonorrhea, with rates up by 56% since 2015
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What Are The Long
Experts used to think that a one-time chlamydia or gonorrhea infection didnt have any big impact on someones health and life. More recently, they found out that its not the case. Women who test positive for chlamydia, for example, are at risk for several different reproductive problems, and that risk remains throughout 17 years of follow-up, which is way longer than the previously estimated 1 year only. Gonorrhea too can cause irreversible damage. So what are those risks?
What Can Happen If Chlamydia Isnt Treated
Untreated chlamydia can put your health at risk. Make an appointment with your provider immediately if you notice any symptoms of chlamydia, and get regular STI screenings to avoid complications later.
Complications of chlamydia for people with vaginas
Untreated chlamydia can cause:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease . PID is a serious condition that requires hospitalization. It can occur when an untreated STI, like chlamydia, damages your reproductive organs. PID can lead to infertility and chronic pelvic pain. It can also cause an ectopic pregnancy, which is life-threatening for the fetus and potentially deadly for the mother or gestational parent, too.
- Pregnancy complications. An untreated infection can lead to pre-term delivery. Also, if youre pregnant and have chlamydia, you can pass the infection on to your newborn. Babies born with chlamydia may have pneumonia or conjunctivitis that could lead to blindness if not treated.
Complications of chlamydia for people with penises
Untreated chlamydia can cause:
- Epididymitis. Infection can spread to the testicles and the tube that carries sperm to your testicles , causing symptoms like pain, swelling and tenderness in your testicles.
- Reduced fertility. Chlamydia can harm your sperm, negatively impacting your ability to conceive.
Complications of chlamydia that can affect all genders
Untreated chlamydia can:
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Getting Treated For Chlamydia And Often Gonorrhea
If you have your own doctor, he will prescribe the antibiotics you need to treat chlamydia. If you dont have your own doctor, you can often find free or low-cost care at either a Planned Parenthood site or a community health clinic.
Listen carefully to the instructions for taking the medicine that you are given by the doctor or other healthcare provider, and follow them closely.
Ask questions if you dont understand something. Also, if you have other questions as you take your medicine, you can always call the pharmacist for help. They are often easier to reach than the doctor.
If you test positive for chlamydia, your healthcare provider is likely to also recommend that you be treated for gonorrhea. This is because the cost of treating gonorrhea is less than the cost of testing for the infection.
Chlamydia Vs Gonorrhea: Knowing The Difference
by Michelle | Nov 30, 2018 | STD
Here in the 21st century the need to practice safe sex is more important than ever, and especially when youre choosing to have intimacy with a person who you dont know very well. Casual sex has been going on for as long as humans have been existence, but these days the risk of being exposed to STDs sexually transmitting diseases is far too high, and really quite scary.
With those warnings out of the way and a quick mention of the advisability of using a condom if you want to prevent transmission of STDs well now switch to discussing the 2 most common STDs that are contracted by people in America and how the symptoms of each can be used to identify one or the other. Do keep in mind that you should not skip a physicians consultation in favour of self-diagnosis if you feel you have contracted an STD, you must see a physician as soon as possible.
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How Do The Symptoms Compare
Both men and women can get chlamydia or gonorrhea and never develop any symptoms.
With chlamydia, symptoms may not appear for a few weeks after youve contracted the infection. And with gonorrhea, women may never experience any symptoms at all or may only show mild symptoms, while men are more likely to have symptoms that are more severe.
A couple of the most telltale symptoms of these STIs overlap between the two , such as:
- burning when you pee
- abnormal discharge from the rectum
- pain in the rectum
- bleeding from the rectum
You may also develop symptoms that affect your throat if you engage in oral sex with someone who has one of these conditions. This can cause mouth and throat symptoms, including sore throat and a cough.