How Will I Get My Results
It can take a few days to get your results from a swab test, similar to a Pap smear test in women. If youre a woman, you may also be able to obtain an at-home kit to do the vaginal testing on your own.
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 during 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 men. Its also used for more advanced signs of chlamydia, as your body will have a greater number of bacteria to detect at this stage.
You can obtain a chlamydia test from:
- your primary doctor
- a home testing kit and service
find affordable testing
There are clinics that can perform chlamydia testing at a low cost. In some cases, you may obtain testing free-of-charge. You can find a clinic through the American Sexual Health Associations free locator here. All results are confidential.
How To Test For Chlamydia: Naat
The main test for a Chlamydia infection is the nucleic acid amplification test or NAAT. This test is used to detect the DNA of the Chlamydia bacterium. The NAAT test is the most accurate test for Chlamydia infections that is available. It comes with the advantage that it can be done on a urine sample.
When To See A Doctor
STI tests are not always a standard part of a gynecological exam or regular health checkup. This is why anyone who might have chlamydia should seek out a test.
One symptom of chlamydia is a burning sensation when urinating. Anyone with this issue should contact a doctor, even if a home chlamydia test has returned a negative result.
If a home test returns a positive result, a person should contact their doctor to confirm it.
A home chlamydia test might involve collecting a urine sample or genital swab at home and sending the sample to a lab. Or, it might involve visiting a lab, where a healthcare professional collects the sample.
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Urine Testing Vs Bacterial Culture
Urine testing is currently primarily used to detect bacterial STDs. Chlamydia and gonorrhea urine tests are widely available. Trichomoniasis urine tests are also available, but they are less common.
The gold standard for diagnosing bacterial STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, used to be bacterial culture. That involved attempting to grow bacteria out of samples that were taken directly from the cervix or urethra.
These days, bacterial DNA testing is considered a better option. It works differently than bacterial culture. Instead of trying to grow bacteria, these tests just look for bacterial DNA. This can be done using a process called ligase chain reaction or with other DNA amplification techniques.
These types of testing are sensitive to even very small amounts of bacterial DNA. Even better, they do not require a live bacterial sample. As such, they can be run on urine samplesnot just urethral or cervical swabs.
For most people, the thought of a getting gonorrhea urine test or chlamydia urine test is a lot less intimidating than the thought of needing a physical exam.
Comparing Urine Std Tests To Other Std Tests
Some people still question whether urine testing is as effective at detecting bacterial STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea. These questions usually focus on the efficacy of the tests in women. Why?
The most common site of female infection is not on the pathway that urine travels out of the body. In contrast, urine passes through the most common site of infection , in men.
A 2015 review that examined 21 studies on the relative effectiveness of using different types of samples to detect chlamydia and gonorrhea found that:
- For chlamydia testing in women, the sensitivity and specificity were 87% and 99% for urine samples compared to cervical samples.
- For chlamydia testing in men, the sensitivity and specificity were 88% and 99% for urine samples compared to urethral samples.
- For gonorrhea testing in women, the sensitivity and specificity were 79% and 99% for urine samples compared to cervical samples.
- For gonorrhea testing in men, the sensitivity and specificity were 92% and 99% for urine samples compared to urethral samples.
By and large, these results are relatively consistent across studies. Interestingly, self-collected vaginal swabs were closer in effectiveness to cervical swabs than urine testing. For some women, those may be a more acceptable alternative to a pelvic exam if urine testing isn’t available.
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How Does The Test Work
Simply enter your postcode and date of birth to order your test kit.
The test kit includes either a pot for a urine sample or a swab, a form, safe packaging and a freepost envelope.
When your kit arrives, fill out the short form in capital letters. Fill in the label and stick it on the screw top bottle. Follow the instructions provided to take your sample and then post it off with your form in the freepost envelope.
Supply of swabs is currently limited as a result of coronavirus testing so some people who would normally receive a swab kit may receive a urine sample kit instead.
If you’re taking a urine sample, make sure you havent peed within the last one hour if you have, wait until later.
Regular tests help reduce the risk and spread of infection so keep testing!
What Is Being Tested
Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted diseases in the United States and can cause serious complications if not treated. Chlamydia testing identifies the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis as the cause of your infection.
The preferred method for chlamydia testing is the nucleic acid amplification test that detects the genetic material of Chlamydia trachomatis. It is generally more sensitive and specific than other chlamydia tests and can be performed on a vaginal swab on women or urine from both men and women, which eliminates the need for a pelvic exam in women.
Screening for, diagnosing, and treating chlamydia is very important in preventing long-term complications and spread of the infection to others. Chlamydia infections are especially common among people 15 to 24 years of age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 2.86 million Americans are infected with chlamydia each year and notes that women are frequently re-infected if their partners don’t get treatment. The actual number of cases may be higher since many people do not experience any symptoms and do not get tested and diagnosed. Still, over one million new cases are reported each year.
Chlamydia is generally spread through sexual contact with an infected partner. Risk factors include having multiple sex partners, infection with another STD at the same time or previous STD infection, and not using a condom correctly and consistently.
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Isolation Of C Trachomatis In Cell Culture
Established cell lines for isolation of C. trachomatis include Mc Coy, HeLa 229 or Buffalo Green Monkey Kidney cells. Swabs from different anatomical sites are suitable specimens for culture but must be collected using special devices and transport media . Specimens were centrifuged onto confluent cell monolayer and analyzed for the development of characteristic intracytoplasmatic inclusions after 4872 h by staining with Giemsa, iodine, or fluorescence labelled antibodies to chlamydial antigens . When using MOMP-specific antibodies for staining cell culture, detection is highly specific , and thus it was long considered the reference test for CT detection. On the other hand, as culture depends on vital organisms the detection rate is at best 60%80%, even when performed in laboratories with experienced technicians . Sensitivity of culture may be impaired by inadequate specimen collection, storage and transport, toxic substances in clinical specimens and overgrowth of cell cultures by commensal microbes. Additional disadvantages are represented by the extended turn-around time, labor intensity and difficulties in standardization. Thus, cell culture is rarely used nowadays in diagnostic laboratories, but the methodology is still needed, at least in some reference laboratories, to monitor antibiotic susceptibility and changes of virulence, or when a test with the highest specificity is required as in case of suspected sexual assault.
What Tests Are Available For Chlamydia
The most common method of testing for chlamydia involves collecting a urine sample in combination with collecting swabs of the affected area. The most thorough method of screening involves urine collection along with throat swabs, rectal swabs, and genital swabs. Genital swabs will collect a sample from the urethral opening of the penis or from the cervical opening in the vagina.
For people with a penis performing a urine sample, collecting the “first-catch” of urine increases the chances of detection. To do this effectively, do not clean your penis immediately prior to providing the urine sample and do not urinate within the two hours before. When providing the urine sample, try to ensure that when you first begin urinating, the initial stream enters the collection cup directly. Only the first 30 mL of urine is needed.
Urine analysis alone can sometimes miss infections if swabbing is not also done. Throat and rectal infections can be missed, especially when asymptomatic.
Testing for STIs is free and covered by healthcare in Canada, even for uninsured individuals.
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Who Needs To Get Tested For Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
The recommendations for getting tested for chlamydia and for gonorrhea are the same.
For women:
- If you’re age 24 or younger and having sex, get tested once every year
- If you’re age 25 or older, get tested if you have more than 1 sex partner, a new sex partner, or a sex partner with an STD
For men:
- Talk with a doctor to find out if you need to get tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other STDs
Screening For Genitourinary Chlamydia
Currently, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends routine screening in all sexually active women 24 years and younger, and in women 25 years and older who are at increased risk because of having multiple partners or a new sex partner.24 Because of the high risk of intrauterine and postnatal complications if left untreated, all pregnant women at increased risk should be routinely screened for chlamydia during the first prenatal visit.1 Additionally, any pregnant woman undergoing termination of pregnancy should be tested for chlamydia infection.25
There is insufficient evidence to recommend screening in men, although a small number of studies suggest that screening high-risk groups may be useful and cost-effective.24,2629 Per the CDC, the screening of sexually active young men should be considered in clinical settings with a high prevalence of chlamydia , and in certain groups . In men who have sex with men, some experts recommend screening for rectal infections .1,11 The CDC includes chlamydia screening with a urine test among the list of annual tests for all men who have had insertive intercourse within the previous 12 months.1 Testing for C. trachomatis pharyngeal infection is not recommended in men who have had receptive oral intercourse.
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Free Chlamydia Postal Test Kits
Chlamydia is very common, affects the 15-24 age group the most, and often goes untreated as it can have no symptoms.
Testing for chlamydia is really easy: it just involves peeing in a pot or taking a swab and you can order a postal test kit online.
Our online service is free and confidential, which means we wont share any details about your test. Youll get your results back within 10 working days, straight to your phone.
Chlamydia can be treated very easily by taking a course of antibiotics. However if left untreated it can seriously affect your health in a number of ways:
- It can cause infertility .
- It can cause reactive arthritis which affects your joints – this can be painful and cause long-term joint problems.
Find out if you’re eligible by entering your details on our order page. You need to be 16 or older to use this online ordering service. We’re currently able to offer this service in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Milton Keynes, Norfolk, Peterborough and Suffolk.
If you live in certain areas you’ll also be offered a test for gonorrhoea.
What Do The Results Mean
A positive result means you have been infected with chlamydia. The infection requires treatment with antibiotics. Your health care provider will give you instructions on how to take your medicine. Be sure to take all the required doses. In addition, let your sexual partner know you tested positive for chlamydia, so he or she can be tested and treated promptly.
Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
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Other Sexually Transmitted And Blood
STBBI screening varies by age, gender/sex, medical and sexual history. Screen anyone who presents with STBBI risk factors and treat as appropriate to prevent transmission and reinfection.
People with Neisseria gonorrhoeae often have a co-infection with C. trachomatis.Footnote 20Footnote 21
Infection with C. trachomatis can increase the risk of acquisition and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus .Footnote 22Footnote 23Footnote 24
People being evaluated or treated for a chlamydia infection should be screened for:
- Gonorrhea
- HIV, as per the recommendations in the HIV Screening and Testing Guide
Because of high rates of co-infection, people being evaluated or treated for LGV should be screened for:
- gonorrhea
- hepatitis C Footnote 25
Why Is It Important To Undergo A Chlamydia Test
A chlamydia test is the best way to detect if you have a chlamydia infection or not. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly three million Americans are infected with chlamydia every year.
It is a must to undergo a chlamydia test because the disease can go on without symptoms and someone who has it may unknowingly transfer the infection to other people.
A regular screening is a must for people who are:
Picture 3: A urine test is one of the procedures used to detect the presence of infection such as chlamydia.
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Picture 4: Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.
Image Source: onlinedoctor.superdrug.com
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How Do You Test For Chlamydia
Nucleic Acid Amplification The three NAA tests described below work by finding the DNA of chlamydia bacteria. Because NAA tests search for the bacterias genetic material, it is very unlikely that a false-positive test result will occur. The incubation period for chlamydia is 1-5 days, so wait at least five days after potential chlamydia exposure before getting tested to ensure the most accurate results possible.
Urine samples
- Testing via urine samples needs to consist of first-catch urine . Patients should not include more than the first-catch in the collection cup to avoid diluting the sample.
- Patients should not urinate for at least one hour prior to providing a sample.
- Female patients should not cleanse the labial area prior to providing the specimen.
Swab cultures
- Neonates conjunctival swab
Why shouldnt you get tested for chlamydia via a blood test?
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Antibodies, IgM
- IgM antibodies are found mainly in the blood and lymph fluid they are the first antibody to be made by the body to fight a new infection.
- This blood samples results should not be used as a diagnostic procedure without confirmation of the diagnosis by another medically established diagnostic product or procedure.
Enzyme immunoassay Antibodies, IgG
- IgG antibodies are the most abundant type of antibody they are found in all body fluids and protect against bacterial and viral infections.
Who Should Be Tested For Chlamydia
Any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. Anyone with genital symptoms such as discharge, burning during urination, unusual sores, or rash should refrain from having sex until they are able to see a health care provider about their symptoms.
Also, anyone with an oral, anal, or vaginal sex partner who has been recently diagnosed with an STD should see a health care provider for evaluation.
Because chlamydia is usually asymptomatic, screening is necessary to identify most infections. Screening programs have been demonstrated to reduce rates of adverse sequelae in women.31,41 CDC recommends yearly chlamydia screening of all sexually active women younger than 25, as well as older women with risk factors such as new or multiple partners, or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted infection.40 Rectal chlamydia testing can be considered for females based on sexual behaviors and exposure. 40 Pregnant women under 25 or older pregnant women at increased risk for chlamydia should be screened during their first prenatal visit and again during their third trimester.40 Women diagnosed with chlamydial infection should be retested approximately 3 months after treatment.40 Any woman who is sexually active should discuss her risk factors with a health care provider who can then determine if more frequent screening is necessary.
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A Few Questions First
To decide what exams or tests you might need, the health care provider will ask you questions about your sexual health history. To get the best care, it helps to be as honest as you can. Ask questions if you need more information.
In BC, positive test results for HIV, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea and hepatitis C are shared with public health to ensure that you and your partners are offered treatment, support and follow-up.
When you test for HIV, you may choose to use your name , or initials and birth date .
STI and HIV testing is confidential, which means your health information is private.