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Where To Go For Chlamydia Test

Are Free Chlamydia Tests As Reliable As Paid Ones

Normalizing Chlamydia ScreeningUsing Opt-Out Language

Yes, if they’re done correctly free tests are a safe and reliable method of testing as long as they are carried out properly. In fact, the free test kits in clinics and the paid home test kits are exactly the same. If you get tested for chlamydia in a GP or sexual health clinic, they will either do the test for you or give you clear instructions on how to do it yourself.

The tests are quite accurate but, its not 100% guaranteed. False test results are usually caused by a mistake when taking the sample or even in the lab. This risk can be lowered if you follow either instructions given by your doctor or on the home test kits.

What’s makes them less accurate? factors such as drugs or alcohol should not make the result of your chlamydia test less accurate. Being on your period also should not make the result of the test less accurate.

If you are worried about a false result you can do the chlamydia test twice. If you get two results that are the same, then the result is almost guaranteed to be accurate. If you get tested for chlamydia at a GP or sexual health clinic, however, you are normally only offered one test.

If Youve Been Tested In Clinic

Depending on the tests, if youve been tested in clinic, some of the results may be ready on the day of your visit. If we find an infection during your visit, well usually give you treatment straight away.

Most results can take up to 10 working days, but some test results may take a bit longer. Your result will be automatically sent to your mobile as a text message. This is the fastest method to be informed of your test result.

Some patients dont want us to text their test results to their mobiles. If you choose not to have your results texted to you, well let you know your results by post or telephone only if a result is positive . Receiving results this way may take longer than by text.

If you have no reliable way for us to contact you, or you want to receive results whatever they are, well make an appointment for you to come back. Please make sure you keep your appointment. This is the slowest way of receiving your test results.

Where Can I Buy A Chlamydia Home Test

Testing for chlamydia is really easy: The chlamydia test is carried out on a urine sample you collect and then post to the laboratory. The doctorcall chlamydia & gonorrhoea home testing kit is designed to give you peace of mind and . Click to learn more and purchase. The test is a standard lab test for chlamydia and is highly .

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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:

What Does The Test Result Mean

Chlamydia Test

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.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Chlamydia

If you do notice symptoms, youll likely experience them differently based on your reproductive anatomy. Many of the symptoms that cisgender women experience can also affect transgender men and nonbinary individuals with vaginas. Many of the symptoms that cisgender men notice can affect transgender women and nonbinary individuals with penises, too.

Chlamydia bacteria often cause symptoms that are similar to cervicitis or a urinary tract infection . You may notice:

  • Pus in your urine .
  • Increased need to pee.
  • Dull pain in the lower part of your abdomen.

Chlamydia bacteria most often infect your urethra, causing symptoms that are similar to nongonococcal urethritis. You may notice:

  • Pain or a burning sensation when you pee .

Signs of chlamydia that all genders may notice

Chlamydia can affect parts of your body other than your reproductive organs, such as your:

  • You may notice pain, discomfort, bleeding or a mucus-like discharge from your bottom.
  • Throat. You may have a sore throat, but you usually wont notice symptoms if the bacterias in your throat.
  • Eyes. You may notice symptoms of conjunctivitis if C. trachomatis bacteria gets in your eye. Symptoms include redness, pain and discharge.

See your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.

What Do I Need To Know If I Get Treated For Chlamydia

If youre getting treated for chlamydia:

  • Take all of your medicine the way your nurse or doctor tells you to, even if any symptoms you may be having go away sooner. The infection stays in your body until you finish the antibiotics.
  • Your partner should also get treated for chlamydia so you dont re-infect each other or anyone else.
  • Dont have sex for 7 days. If you only have 1 dose of medication, wait for 7 days after you take it before having sex. If youre taking medicine for 7 days, dont have sex until youve finished all of your pills.
  • Get tested again in 3-4 months to make sure your infection is gone.
  • Dont share your medicine with anyone. Your nurse or doctor may give you a separate dose of antibiotics for your partner. Make sure you both take all of the medicine you get.
  • Even if you finish your treatment and the chlamydia is totally gone, its possible to get a new chlamydia infection again if youre exposed in the future. Chlamydia isnt a one-time-only deal. So use condoms and get tested regularly.

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How Do I Tell My Partner I Have An Sti

Some conversations seem really hard to have. Telling someone you have an STI may be one of them. But its not just about you your partner needs to know so he or she can get tested and treated if necessary.

Everyone gets an STI from a person. Part of stopping the spread of STIs is open communication, so talk to your partner. This is never an easy conversation, but its an important one to have. Many couples report this conversation actually brings them closer together.

Make a plan. As soon as youre ready, bring it up with your partner. You could talk to someone else about it first and practice what youre going to say. You could also journal about it or practice talking in a mirror. You could even write your partner a letter. The main point is just to communicate. Be there for your partner the way you hope they would be there for you.

Testing positive and talking to your partner about having an STI may feel overwhelming. Remember that CAPS is a resource for you if you need it. Visit their website for more information.

Sex Partners Need Treatment Too

Normalizing Chlamydia ScreeningHow to Talk to Patients

If you are diagnosed with chlamydia, you will need to tell all of your sexual partners, because they will need the same treatment you are receiving.

In most states, a doctor or other healthcare provider can give you the medicine that your partner or partners will need to take. Then you can deliver it to those partners. This practice is called expedited partner therapy or patient delivered partner therapy.

These options can help a lot if your partner doesnt have a healthcare provider or feels embarrassed about seeking care, says Dr. Dombrowski.

Its natural to feel nervous or upset about having to tell your partner or partners about having an STD. Your healthcare provider can help with this problem. They may even rehearse the conversation with you, says Dombrowksi.

Learning about chlamydia and seeking advice from a healthcare provider about how to discuss it with your partner can help you handle the conversation with less anxiety and more confidence.

Remember, chlamydia is not just common: It is the most common infection reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . You are being helpful, mature, and responsible by telling your partners.

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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

What Happens If I Test Positive For An Sti

First, remember to breathe. The side effects and health outcomes of many STIs can be treated, and many STIs are curable. Different treatment methods are used for different STIs. For some STIs, there are several treatment options. Here are two examples:

  • Tested positive for chlamydia: You will be given a prescription for an antibiotic that will cure this case of chlamydia. It is important that you follow the treatment recommended by your health care provider completely. Always continue your medication until it is finished, even if your symptoms have gone away. You could still get chlamydia again if you have sex with someone who has chlamydia. So its important that your partner also get tested and treated for chlamydia before resuming sexual activity.
  • Tested positive for herpes: You can take medications to treat the symptoms. Although herpes is not a curable STI, it is easily treatable with medication. Medications are also available to help prevent future outbreaks and minimize their severity, as well as lower the chances of passing the virus on to partners. About one in six adults have herpes in the U.S., and they live normal, healthy lives. Youre not alone! You can also join support groups for people with herpes to help you cope and prevent transmission to others.

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Which Std Tests Should I Get

If you are sexually active, getting tested for STDs is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. Make sure you have an open and honest conversation about your sexual history and STD testing with your doctor and ask whether you should be tested for STDs. If you are not comfortable talking with your regular health care provider about STDs, there are many clinics that provide confidential and free or low-cost testing.

Below is a brief overview of STD testing recommendations. STD screening information for healthcare providers can be found here.

  • Anyone who engages in sexual behaviors that could place them at risk for infection or shares injection drug equipment should get tested for HIV at least once a year.
  • should talk with their healthcare provider about throat and rectal testing options.
  • You can quickly find a place to be tested for STDs by entering your zip code in the form below.

    Find an STD testing site near you.

    What Should I Expect After A Chlamydia Test

    SELFCheck female chlamydia test kit

    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.

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    Almost Everyone Needs Tested

    If youre sexually active and not in a long-term relationship, you should be tested for STDs on a regular basis. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers this general testing guide:

    • Everyone 13 to 64: At least once for HIV.
    • Sexually active women under 25: Yearly for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
    • All pregnant women: Tested for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B
    • All women in at-risk pregnancies: Tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
    • Those having unprotected sex or sharing needles: Yearly for HIV.

    Also, sexually active bisexual or gay men should get frequent tests for HIV, up to every 3-6 months, and yearly tests for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

    Why Should I Get Tested

  • 10 million young people ages 15 to 24 are diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection each year.
  • Most STIs have no signs or symptoms or mild signs that can easily be overlooked, so the only way to know is to get tested.
  • People with uteruses can have long-term effects of these diseases, including pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, tubal scarring, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
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    How Do People Get Chlamydia

    Pregnant people can give chlamydia to their baby during childbirth. This can cause ophthalmia neonatorum or pneumonia in some infants.9-12 Rectal or genital infection can persist one year or longer in infants infected at birth.13 However, sexual abuse should be a consideration among young children with vaginal, urethral, or rectal infection beyond the neonatal period.

    People treated for chlamydia can get the infection again if they have sex with a person with chlamydia.14

    What Does The Chlamydia Test Involve

    Sneaky Chlamydia | Do You Have It & Not Know It?

    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.

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    How Long Should I Wait Before Getting An Sti Test

    The incubation period for chlamydia is 7 to 21 days. If youve had sex with someone whos positive, or if youve had a sexual encounter with a new partner, your results can be detected within the incubation period.

    Its recommended to get tested 3 months after treatment to make sure youre in the clear.

    How To Use An Std Test Kit

    If youve already purchased your STD test kit, you literally did half the job. Depending on the type of tests you are taking, you will need to collect urine, swab or blood samples. Make sure you read the instructions on the leaflet that comes bundled with your same day chlamydia test kit.

    Urine samples need to be delivered in plastic bottles, which are part of your test kits, and they need to be filled to at least half of the bottle. If you need to collect a swab sample, gently role the cotton swab across the sampling area. Blood sample is the easiest to collect among the mentioned ones.

    After youve collected your sample, you need to write your personal information on the label and send it to the laboratory on analysis via the freepost envelope. It will take a couple of days until your results arrive. Remember to keep your fingers crossed when reading them. This is how you can buy STD Test kit from Walgreens, Walmart and CVS stores to find out the possibility of STI diseases.

    Originally posted 2016-12-17 08:38:26.

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    How Much Does Sti Testing Cost

    The cost of STI screening varies depending on where you get tested, whether STI tests are covered by your health insurance plan, and the exact tests you need. Some community clinics offer testing on a sliding fee scale based on your incomeand depending on your income, you might even qualify for free testing. If you’re unsure what your insurance will cover, call them beforehand. You can also ask them how to locate clinics that accept your insurance. However, the cost will depend on the brand and how many STIs it tests if you’re looking for home test kits.

    City Health Centers And Community Clinics

    Buy Chlamydia Home Test Kit Online

    Some city health centers or community clinics may offer testing services. Many offer both appointment and walk-in services.

    Aside from free testing and treatment for STIs, health centers also provide pre-exposure prophylaxis , a preventive treatment for HIV. They may also offer family planning services, counseling, and free condoms for STI protection.

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