What Does The Test Measure
Most at-home chlamydia testing detects evidence of the genetic material, known as DNA or RNA, of the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. These test kits allow individuals to collect their own samples of body fluid and return them to a laboratory for a type of analysis called nucleic acid amplification testing .
The NAAT detects genetic material of the bacteria and can be conducted on a variety of samples, including urine, a throat swab, or a swab of fluid taken from the urethra, vagina, or rectum.
How Does A Chlamydia Test Work
The most commonly used type of chlamydia test is called a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test . A NAAT detects the DNA of the bacteria that cause the chlamydia infection. You provide a sample of urine. Or your provider collects a sample of secretions from the vagina or urethra . The lab tests the sample for signs of the bacteria.
Less often, providers use a cell culture to test for chlamydia. Your provider swabs your vagina, urethra or anus to collect a sample of fluid and cells. They send the cells to a lab to test. If bacteria are present, they will grow, which indicates an infection. Providers may choose this type of chlamydia test to detect infections in the anus. Or they may use a cell culture to see how chlamydia treatments are working.
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Just Diagnosed Next Steps After Testing Positive For Gonorrhea Or Chlamydia
If youve just found out that you have gonorrhea or chlamydia, you may be trying to figure out what to do next. Here are the three most important steps that you can take:
WHY?Many people with gonorrhea and chlamydia dont have symptoms. Why does this matter? Because an untreated infection can lead to serious and permanent health problems, even if you never have symptoms. Gonorrhea and chlamydia can be cured with the right medicine from your doctor. Just make sure you take all of your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to.
WHERE?Your regular doctor can prescribe antibiotics to cure the STD. But if you dont have insurance or want to see someone else for treatment, there are other low-cost or free options. You can get tested and treated at your local health departments STD clinic, a family planning clinic, a student health center, or an urgent care clinic. You can also find a clinic using GetTested and ask if they offer treatment for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
- In women, untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to health problems like ectopic pregnancy or infertility .
- In men, chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause a painful condition in the tubes attached to the testicles. In rare cases, this may prevent him from being able to have children.
- Untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea may also increase your chances of getting or giving HIV the virus that causes AIDS.
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Am I At Risk For Chlamydia
Anyone who has sex can get chlamydia through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. However, sexually active young people are at a higher risk of getting chlamydia. This is due to behaviors and biological factors common among young people. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are also at risk since chlamydia can spread through oral and anal sex.
Have an honest and open talk with your health care provider. Ask whether you should be tested for chlamydia or other STDs. If you are a sexually active woman younger than 25 years, you should get a test for chlamydia every year. If you are an older woman with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has an STD, you should get a test for chlamydia every year. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men as well as pregnant women should also get tested for chlamydia.
How Can You Test For Chlamydia At Home
Chlamydia affects millions of people every year and, living up to its nickname of the silent infection, it can often show little to no symptoms at all – making it easy for it to go unnoticed and untreated. Although rates among females tend to be higher than rates among males, chlamydia is so common that it can affect pretty much anyone who is sexually active making regular STD testing crucial to keeping your sexual health healthy.
While chlamydia can sometimes be detected with a physical exam, its not always necessary. The most common form of testing for chlamydia is with a urine test or a swab test. If you would prefer to test from the comfort of home, you can do so with an at-home lab test.
LetsGetCheckeds at-home Simple 2 Test is a simple urine test and checks for two of the most common infections: chlamydia and gonorrhea . Its recommended to wait at least 2 weeks from the time of exposure before testing to ensure accurate results.
The test will arrive in discreet packaging and a return envelope and clear instructions will be provided. Online results will be available within 2-5 days and our dedicated clinical team will be available to answer any questions you may have throughout the process. If you need more information about taking your sample, find out more here.
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How Do I Know If I Have Chlamydia
You cant tell if you have chlamydia just by the way you feel. The only way to know for sure if you have chlamydia is to get tested whether or not you have symptoms.
If youre showing any signs of chlamydia, you should get tested. Testing is also a good idea if youve had unprotected sex or if a partner has chlamydia . In general, people who are sexually active should get tested for STDs, including chlamydia, about once a year. If youre pregnant, get tested for chlamydia at your first prenatal visit. Want to know if you should be tested for chlamydia? Check out this quiz to find out.
Chlamydia testing is pretty easy and painless. The best part about getting tested for STDs? Once you get it over with, it can really put your mind at ease. And if you DO have chlamydia, its best to know right away so you can take medicine and get better as soon as possible.
Are Sti Tests Covered By Insurance
Many insurance plans cover STI testing through the Affordable Care Act . Theres a high chance you can get STI testing for free or at a reduced price with your health insurance.
Testing for STIs, like HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, are considered preventive health benefits that many plans cover under the ACA.
STI testing can also be free or low-cost with Medicaid and other government programs.
The coverage of at-home STI tests varies, so its best to speak with your doctor or insurance company about your options. Some clinics, like Planned Parenthood health centers, provide free or low-cost STI tests, depending on your income.
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Complications Of Chlamydia In Male Patients
Chlamydia is an infection that is far more prevalent among women, particularly during young adulthood, compared to the prevalence of the condition in men. Still, men do need to understand that the condition can affect them and will often not yield any symptoms. This, however, does not mean the bacterial infection poses no harm.
In cases where symptoms do develop in a male patient, the individual may experience the following signs of chlamydia:
- There may be a discharge from the mans penis
- The testicles may become painful
- There may be pain during urination
- The lower abdominal might also develop pain conditions
Since chlamydia is a bacterial infection in nature, men do need to understand that there are certain complications that can develop. These complications can sometimes be serious and require medical attention.
Urethritis is a common complication of chlamydia in men. The condition causes a bacterial infection to develop in the urethra. This is a tube that runs throughout the patients penis it is used to expel both urine and semen from the body.
Urethritis causes irritation in the tip of the patients penis and can make the inside of the penis feel itchy. There may also be a burning or stinging sensation within the penis this is the urethra showing signs of the infection. A discharge can also occur from the penis.
Home Testing Kits Are The Solution
Home testing kits provide a discrete way for every individual to get tested for chlamydia without having to talk to their doctor face-to-face. Even though this method is not 100% accurate, it does provide a clear picture of your sexual health and whether or not you need medical assistance. Home testing kits for chlamydia are comfortable, convenient, often reliable, and a great way to monitor for STIs.
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When Should You Check For Chlamydia
Commonly referred to as the silent infection, Chlamydia often shows little to no symptoms. This can lead to a lot of untreated infections which can cause possible problems later on in life.
If symptoms appear, in women, they may include:
- Pain when urinating
- Pain in the tummy or pelvis
- Pain during sex
If you are sexually active, its important to regularly check in on your sexual health.
If youve been experiencing symptoms of Chlamydia, its important to take a test. The best way to do this from home is with an at-home STI test. The process is simple:
You should take the LetsGetChecked STI test if:
- You become sexually active
How Much Does An Std Test Cost
How much you pay for STD testing depends on where you go, what tests you need, your income, and whether or not you have health insurance.
Because of the Affordable Care Act , many insurance plans cover STD testing. So you can probably get STD testing for free or at a reduced price if you have health insurance. STD testing can also be free or low cost with Medicaid and other government programs. And some clinics including many Planned Parenthood health centers give free or low-cost STD tests, depending on your income.
Planned Parenthood works to provide you with the services you need, whether or not you have health insurance. If youre worried about cost, check with your local Planned Parenthood health center to see if they can hook you up with STD testing that fits your budget.
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Mission Role And Pledge
CDC works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same.
CDC increases the health security of our nation. As the nations health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. To accomplish our mission, CDC conducts critical science and provides health information that protects our nation against expensive and dangerous health threats, and responds when these arise.
- Detecting and responding to new and emerging health threats
- Tackling the biggest health problems causing death and disability for Americans
- Putting science and advanced technology into action to prevent disease
- Promoting healthy and safe behaviors, communities and environment
- Developing leaders and training the public health workforce, including disease detectives
- Taking the health pulse of our nation
Why Do You Have To Wait 3 Months To Retest For Chlamydia
In fact, women who become reinfected with chlamydia have an even higher risk for PID and ectopic pregnancy than those with a first infection. Due to these risks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that any person who tests positive for chlamydia be retested three months after treatment.
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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.
When Is The Best Time To Get Tested For Chlamydia
After youve been exposed or believe to be incontact with an infected individual, its important to get tested. Most doctorswill recommend that you wait 1 to 5 days after youve been exposed tothis infection if you want the bacteria to show up on tests. If you go toosoon, you might get inaccurate test results.
If you are positive and get treatment, you shouldreturn for another test after 21 or 28 days to make sure the bacteria have beencompletely removed from your system, and you will not transmit it to yourpartner.
If you are planning to take additional precautions,you can also test for other STIs like hepatitis, syphilis, HIV, and more.
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This Test Will With > 99% Accuracy Tell You Whether Or Not You Have Been Infected With Chlamydia Or Gonorrhea
Like any Everlywell STI test, our at-home Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test is delivered in discreet packaging and taken in the privacy of your own home. Once you return your test sample to our lab and your sample is processed, youâll be notified via email when your results are ready. You will then be able to access your results through an easy-to-understand report on our secure online platform.
This at-home gonorrhea and chlamydia test checks whether you test positive for gonorrhea or chlamydia.
In the event that your test results are positive, a board-certified physician in your state will contact you at no additional cost to discuss your particular case, and when appropriate, prescribe medication.
We take customer privacy very seriously, and only you will have access to this information. As is the case with all STD testing – whether through Everlywell at-home tests or your healthcare provider â we may be required by law to report positive test results to certain state health departments. This is only done to track the prevalence of a sexually transmitted disease. In rare cases you may not receive a definitive result because of early infection or inadequate sampling and repeat testing is suggested. Donât take a chance on your sexual health. Know where you stand with our at-home Chlamydia & Gonorrhea test. You can also take our at-home STD Test for men or our STD Test for women.
Can I Get An Sti Without Intercourse If We Are Just Fooling Around
Yes, you can get some STI just by intimate skin-to-skin touching or kissing of an infected area.
All kinds of sex, including oral, vaginal and anal intercourse, can transmit infections. Theyre also contracted through body fluids like blood, semen, saliva, vaginal secretions and breast milk.
It doesnt matter whether youre heterosexual, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit or questioning. STI can be transmitted by anyone.
Drugs and/or alcohol can impair judgement and lead to risky behaviour. When you or your partner are impaired and caught up in the moment, you may be more likely to have sex without a condom and take other risks that can increase your exposure to STI and unplanned pregnancy.
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Most STI have no obvious symptoms , so you may not know if you or your sexual partner has an infection. Thats why practising safer sex and getting tested regularly is so important.
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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.