Where To Get Tested For Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

What Can Cause False Results

The incubation period of chlamydia is normally between one to five days so, getting tested too early after a high-risk sexual encounter, may show a false negative result. Also, a positive result may reflect an old infection, in that case, we can call it a false positive since the results do not indicate an active infection.

The incubation period of gonorrhea is normally between two to six days however it can range anywhere from one to fourteen days. So, getting tested before that time will not give accurate results. It is always recommended to get tested after the incubation period has passed to prevent a false negative test, otherwise you would be advised to take the test again.

What Is The Treatment For Chlamydia

Chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics. HIV-positive persons with chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV-negative.

Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sexual activity for 7 days after single dose antibiotics or until completion of a 7-day course of antibiotics, to prevent spreading the infection to partners. It is important to take all of the medication prescribed to cure chlamydia. Medication for chlamydia should not be shared with anyone. Although medication will cure the infection, it will not repair any permanent damage done by the disease. If a persons symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment, he or she should return to a health care provider to be reevaluated.

Repeat infection with chlamydia is common.49 Women whose sex partners have not been appropriately treated are at high risk for re-infection. Having multiple chlamydial infections increases a womans risk of serious reproductive health complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy.50,51 Women and men with chlamydia should be retested about three months after treatment of an initial infection, regardless of whether they believe that their sex partners were successfully treated.40

Infants infected with chlamydia may develop ophthalmia neonatorum and/or pneumonia.10 Chlamydial infection in infants can be treated with antibiotics.

Who Should Have A Test For Stis

The CDC advises that sexually active people have an STI test once a year. However, some people may have different testing requirements, so a doctor or another health professional may help determine which tests a person needs.

Some doctors suggest that people who may be at higher risk, such as during pregnancy or those with multiple or anonymous partners, may require more frequent testing.

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Female Issues Of Untreated Chlamydia

Some women establish PID, an infection that can damage the womb, cervix, and also ovaries. PID is an uncomfortable condition that frequently needs hospital treatment.

Ladies can also end up being infertile if chlamydia is left untreated since the fallopian tubes might end up being scarred.

Expecting females with the infection can pass the bacteria to their children throughout birth, which can cause eye infections and pneumonia in babies. Chlamydia Gonorrhea

How Typical Is Chlamydia

In 2017, more than 1.7 million instances of chlamydia were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and also Prevention . However, several situations go unreported, so the real variety of chlamydia infections annually may be closer to 3 million.

Men and women can both get the infection, yet much more cases in ladies are reported.

Infection rates are greatest among more youthful women, with the highest rates of infection happening in females in between ages 15 as well as 24.

The CDC recommends that all sexually energetic ladies ages 25 years and more youthful get evaluated for chlamydia each year, as well as older ladies with threat factors like several or brand-new companions.

Statistically, a person is more likely to get an STI if theyve made love with greater than someone. Other risk variables consist of having had an STI in the past, or currently have an infection because this can lower resistance.

Prices for chlamydia as well as other STIs have actually been climbing up in the last few years.

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Common Chlamydia Or Gonorrhea Symptoms

These bacterial STIs are known as co-existing infections, which means that exposure to one can put you at an elevated risk of contracting the other. Chlamydia and gonorrhea symptoms are very similar, but can also occur with no symptoms at all. These may include:

• Painful urination
• Discharge from vagina or penis
• Or irregular bleeding between periods.

If you are experiencing signs, you might be infected with chlamydia and/or gonorrhea, and its crucial that you get tested to confirm your status.

At Home Sexually Transmitted Infection Tests

We offer testing kits you can take at home for a range of sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas, syphilis and HIV. Test results are confidential and come back in 3 working days. We’ll advise you on next steps.

We offer testing kits you can take at home for a range of sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas, syphilis and HIV. Test results are confidential and come back in 3 working days. We’ll advise you on next steps.

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When Should I Get Tested For Chlamydia And Gonorrhoea

You should get tested if you think there is a chance you could have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection.

For example, you should get tested if:

• you have had unprotected sex with a new partner
• you or your partner have had unprotected sex with other people
• you or your partner have symptoms of chlamydia or gonorrhoea
• a sexual partner present or previous tells you they have an STI
• youre planning on getting pregnant or are already pregnant, as it is important to protect yourself and your baby from infections

What Happens If You Don’t Get Tested

Untested, undetected and untreated Chlamydia and Gonorrhea may have serious health repercussions.

For women, untested Chlamydia can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease infertility ectopic or tubal pregnancy chronic pelvic pain cystitis HIV/AIDS. In men, untested and untreated Chlamydia can cause a scarred and infected urethra, prostatitis, epididymitis and ultimately infertility.

Gonorrhea that is not tested and not treated can cause the following problems in women: PID, infertility, pregnancy problems, pelvic pain, infections of the joints, increased risk of contracting and spreading HIV. In men untreated Gonorrhea can give rise to epididymitis, infected sores in the surrounding scrotum area, and infertility.

If detected, both Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can successfully be treated with antibiotics.

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How Can You Prevent Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

There are several strategies to help prevent sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. The following strategies, of which abstinence is considered the most reliable, are all recommended by the CDC:

• Abstinence
• Reduce your number of sexual partners
• Mutual monogamy
• Use condoms

Preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases to others is also important. Knowing your status is an important step in stopping the spread of sexually transmitted diseases to others.

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Exactly How Is Chlamydia Spread Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

You can get chlamydia by having genital, anal, or foreplay with somebody who has chlamydia.

If your sex companion is male you can still get chlamydia even if he does not ejaculate.

If you have actually had chlamydia and were treated in the past, you can still get infected again. This can happen if you have vulnerable sex with someone who has chlamydia.

If you are pregnant, you can provide chlamydia to your child throughout giving birth.

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Limits Of Urine Tests For Gonorrhea And Chlamydia

In 2018, 1.8 million cases of chlamydia were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in addition to 583,405 cases of gonorrhea. These numbers show an increase of 19% for chlamydia and 63% for gonorrhea since 2014.

Most infections with gonorrhea and chlamydia are asymptomatic. The fact that many people have no symptoms means that the only way to detect and treat these infections is through screening.

In men, these diseases usually infect the urethra, and in women the cervix. However, it is possible to get both of these diseases in the throat, from oral sex. Anal sex can also lead to rectal chlamydia and rectal gonorrhea infections.

Neither rectal nor oral/throat infections will be detected by urine testing. It is therefore important to let your healthcare provider know if you have unprotected oral or anal sex. Testing should be done separately for those sites.

Currently, it is recommended that men who have sex with men undergo urine, throat, and anal screening once a year. Other people who regularly have unprotected oral or anal sex should consider a similar screening regimen. People who only engage in vaginal intercourse can get by with urine testing alone for gonorrhea and chlamydia.

What Stis Should People Test For

Typically, sexual health clinics test for the more common STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. If people know that a previous partner has tested positive for a specific STI, it is advisable to get tested for the same STI. A person can also discuss their sexual and STI testing history with a healthcare provider, who can offer help and suggestions about appropriate tests.

To get a reliable test result, people should perform the test within a specific timeframe after exposure due to incubation periods. Below are some common STIs and their

notes that at-home testing kits are becoming more available and are likely to contribute to higher rates of testing and treatments.

Individuals have many options for STI testing, some of which include:

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How Chlamydia Is Transmitted

Sexual fluids like semen and vaginal fluids carry the chlamydia bacteria. Anyone can get chlamydia through sex without a condom, which includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

Mothers who have chlamydia can pass it on to infants during childbirth.

Chlamydia does NOT spread through everyday contact like touching, hugging, coughing, sneezing, or sitting on toilet seats. The bacteria cannot live outside the body, and needs wet contact.

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Can I Take The Test At Home

Samples for gonorrhea NAAT testing can be collected at home, while other gonorrhea tests must be performed by a healthcare professional. At-home testing for gonorrhea involves collecting a urine sample and using a prepaid shipping label to mail it to a certified lab for testing.

If an at-home test comes back positive or if you have symptoms of gonorrhea, its important to talk with a doctor.

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Who Should Be Tested For Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

Any person that is sexually active is at risk for contracting STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. Current CDC guidelines state that all sexually active women under the age of 25 should be tested yearly for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Additionally, women that are pregnant should also be tested during their first prenatal care visit. Anyone else that has new or multiple sex partners, or that is an areas with a high prevalence of the disease, should discuss with a doctor if testing is needed.

Getting Tested For Gonorrhea

There are three types of tests for Gonorrhea: A swab test takes a sample from the suspected part of the body , which is sent to a lab to be tested. Gonorrhea in the cervix or urethra can also be tested by a urine sample. Finally, in a procedure called a “Gram Stain,” a sample from the cervix or urethra is placed under a microscope and stained with a dye, allowing the doctor to see the bacteria.

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What Your Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Test Results Mean

Having a negative chlamydia test result means that you do not have an active chlamydia infection, at the time of the test. However, this does not imply that you will remain negative if you had high risk sex. Having a positive chlamydia test result means that you have an active infection that has to be treated by your doctor. The treatment normally consists of an antibiotic, such as the Zithromax, that should clear the infection in one to two weeks. If the chlamydia infection is severe, women might need hospitalization and an intravenous antibiotic.

Having a negative gonorrhea test results means that you do not have an active gonorrhea infection at the time of taking the test. This test is not significant for people will get engaged in risky behaviors such as having unprotected sex with multiple partners, among others. In that case, even if your test is negative, you have to repeat it after a possible infection. Having a positive gonorrhea test indicates an active gonorrhea infection. You will have to check with your doctor to address problem and, get treated with a course of antibiotics.

Exactly How Do Individuals Obtain Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is sent with sexual contact with the penis, vaginal area, mouth, or rectum of a contaminated companion. Ejaculation does not have to take place for gonorrhea to be sent or acquired. Gonorrhea can also be spread perinatally from mommy to child during childbirth.

Individuals that have had gonorrhea and also got treatment solution might be reinfected if they have sexual contact with a person contaminated with gonorrhea.

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Testing For Other Stds

Sonora Quest Laboratories offers testing for a complete range of common sexually transmitted diseases. Choose from screenings for specific STDs or order a comprehensive STD Screen, which tests for all common STDs in one test.

*Certain patient test results are required by Arizona Administrative Code to be reported to the Arizona Department of Health Services for public health reasons.

*It is solely your responsibility to promptly discuss all laboratory test results with a physician. Neither Sonora Quest Laboratories nor its Medical Director will provide interpretation, counseling, consulting, or care recommendations on the basis of any laboratory results provided to you.

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How Do People Get Chlamydia

Chlamydia is transmitted through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected partner. Ejaculation does not have to occur for chlamydia to be transmitted or acquired. Chlamydia can also be spread perinatally from an untreated mother to her baby during childbirth, resulting in ophthalmia neonatorum or pneumonia in some exposed infants. In published prospective studies, chlamydial conjunctivitis has been identified in 18-44% and chlamydial pneumonia in 3-16% of infants born to women with untreated chlamydial cervical infection at the time of delivery.9-12 While rectal or genital chlamydial infection has been shown to persist one year or longer in infants infected at birth,13 the possibility of sexual abuse should be considered in prepubertal children beyond the neonatal period with vaginal, urethral, or rectal chlamydial infection.

People who have had chlamydia and have been treated may get infected again if they have sexual contact with a person infected with chlamydia.14

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Home Remedies To Cure Chlamydia

Chlamydia in women, as well as men, can create trouble if left untreated hence on the slightest symptom, you must get it diagnosed. While there are medical treatments for it,you can also opt for home remedies that are quite effective in treating the infection. Further, these have no adverse effects on your body. Here are simple home remedies for Chlamydia.

Gonorrhea Prevention Can You Have Chlamydia And Gonorrhea At The Same Time

Take these actions to protect yourself from gonorrhea:

Prophylactics. They assist keep you from obtaining STDs. They function as an obstacle as well as maintain microorganisms from contaminating you. Spermicide wont stop you from getting gonorrhea.

Have your sexual partners obtain tested. Ask whether theyve been looked for gonorrhea. If they havent, speak with them regarding obtaining tested.

Do not have sex with someone that has signs and symptoms of gonorrhea. Has your companion suffered a burning sensation while peeing or sores in their genital location? Take a break from sex until they obtain their symptoms checked as well as you must get inspected as well.

Get normal testings. Obtain tested for gonorrhea annually if youre:

A guy who has sex with men

A sexually energetic female under age 25 Can You Have Chlamydia And Gonorrhea At The Same Time

A lady that has a new sex companion, several companions, or a companion with a STD

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Should My Partner Seek Treatment

If you have chlamydia or gonorrhea, your sex partners have been exposed and need to receive treatment. Otherwise, they can pass the infection back to you, as well as on to other partners. Ideally, anyone exposed to an STI would see their own healthcare provider for testing, evaluation, and treatment. However, we realize thats not always an option, and thats why many states allow health care providers to prescribe medication to people whove been exposed to chlamydia or gonorrhea without seeing them. This practice is known as expedited partner therapy , and it means that your partner can be treated by your healthcare provider without an appointment.

If youve tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, feel free to ask your healthcare provider about expedited treatment for your partner.

Chlamydia Symptoms In Women:

In certain situations, chlamydia can be even more serious for women. Symptoms are often mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. However, health complications for women who have untreated chlamydia can be quite serious, including infertility.

Here are the most common symptoms:

• A burning sensation while urinating
• An abnormal vaginal discharge that may have an odor
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Itching or burning around the vagina

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