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Where To Go To Get Treated For Chlamydia

What Is The Difference Between Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of chlamydia | Infectious diseases | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Some of the symptoms of these two STIs are the same, so if you have one of these conditions, its sometimes hard to be sure which one it is without having a test. Like chlamydia, persons with gonorrhea may also not have any symptoms.

Chlamydia is treated via oral antibiotics. Gonorrhea is treated by a combination of oral antibiotics and injection of antibiotics into your muscle.

If you suspect you may have an STI, it is important to get tested as soon as you can so that you can receive proper treatment.

Are There Complications Of Chlamydia

Chlamydia can cause serious complications if it isnt treated promptly and properly.

Untreated chlamydia can trigger arthritis, skin rashes, and inflammation in the eye or rectum.

For women, chlamydia can spread into the uterus and the fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease . This can cause problems with pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancy. Women with untreated chlamydia have up to a 1 in 12 chance of becoming infertile. In men, chlamydia can spread to the testicles and the tubes that carry sperm, causing pain and fertility problems.

Pregnant women who are infected with chlamydia have a higher chance of miscarriage or premature birth. Their babies may also get an eye or lung infection. You can read more about chlamydia and pregnancy here.

Management Of Sex Partners

Sex partners should be referred for evaluation, testing, and presumptive treatment if they had sexual contact with the partner during the 60 days preceding the patients onset of symptoms or chlamydia diagnosis. Although the exposure intervals defining identification of sex partners at risk are based on limited data, the most recent sex partner should be evaluated and treated, even if the time of the last sexual contact was > 60 days before symptom onset or diagnosis.

Recommended Reading: How Does A Male Know He Has Chlamydia

Chlamydial Infection Among Neonates

Prenatal screening and treatment of pregnant women is the best method for preventing chlamydial infection among neonates. C. trachomatis infection of neonates results from perinatal exposure to the mothers infected cervix. Initial C. trachomatis neonatal infection involves the mucous membranes of the eye, oropharynx, urogenital tract, and rectum, although infection might be asymptomatic in these locations. Instead, C. trachomatis infection among neonates is most frequently recognized by conjunctivitis that develops 512 days after birth. C. trachomatis also can cause a subacute, afebrile pneumonia with onset at ages 13 months. Although C. trachomatis has been the most frequent identifiable infectious cause of ophthalmia neonatorum, neonatal chlamydial infections, including ophthalmia and pneumonia, have occurred less frequently since institution of widespread prenatal screening and treatment of pregnant women. Neonates born to mothers at high risk for chlamydial infection, with untreated chlamydia, or with no or unconfirmed prenatal care, are at high risk for infection. However, presumptive treatment of the neonate is not indicated because the efficacy of such treatment is unknown. Infants should be monitored to ensure prompt and age-appropriate treatment if symptoms develop. Processes should be in place to ensure communication between physicians and others caring for the mother and the newborn to ensure thorough monitoring of the newborn after birth.

What Happens If Chlamydia Isn’t Treated

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Only some people who have chlamydia will have complications. If chlamydia is treated early, its unlikely to cause any long-term problems. But, without proper treatment, the infection can spread to other parts of the body. The more times you have chlamydia the more likely you are to get complications.

  • If you have a vulva, chlamydia can spread to other reproductive organs causing pelvic inflammatory disease . This can lead to long-term pelvic pain, blocked fallopian tubes, infertility and ectopic pregnancy .
  • In people with a vulva, chlamydia can also cause pain and inflammation around the liver, though this is rare. This usually gets better with the correct antibiotic treatment.

Read Also: How Do You Know If You Get Rid Of Chlamydia

How Will I Get My Results

If you dont have chlamydia, we will let you know the result by text.

If you do have chlamydia and need treatment, we will call you to arrange an appointment at a clinic of your choice.

You should return for a repeat test/treatment if:

  • you think you have come into contact with chlamydia again
  • you and your partner had any form of unsafe sex within seven days of taking the chlamydia treatment
  • you didnt finish taking your treatment or didnt take it according to the instructions
  • the signs and symptoms dont go away.

You should also get tested at a GUM clinic if your original test was negative but you then develop symptoms of chlamydia.

If your symptoms dont improve, you should contact a clinic or on 0808 802 1221. This includes any pelvic pain that doesnt improve or any pain when having sex.

Std Prevention And Treatment Options

The type of treatment you receive for an STD depends on the symptoms and diagnosis.

Infections like chlamydia or syphilis can all be treated with antibiotics. While UTIs, yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis are not STDs, they can be associated with sexual intercourse, and can also be treated with antibiotics. Other STDs, like HIV, herpes or human papillomavirus , are not curable. Instead, the treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and complications related to the illness.

The best way to avoid STDs is through prevention. The only foolproof preventive measure is abstinence. However, if you are, or plan to be, sexually active, there are many ways to make sex safer for you and your partner. Before having sex, it is important to discuss your sexual history and ask your partner if they have been screened for STDs.

Condoms or dental dams are great contraceptive options. While the two are not 100% effective, they are among the best ways to reduce the risk of STD transmission during sex. Regular STD screening can also help prevent spreading infections to your partner and lower the risk of further complications. If you are in a monogamous relationship, there is no further spontaneous risk after being screened for STDs. Speak to your provider via a virtual or in-person visit about the best ways to prevent STDs.

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Will I Need To Go Back To The Clinic

If you take your antibiotics correctly, you may not need to return to the clinic.

However, you will be advised to go back for another chlamydia test if:

  • you had sex before you and your partner finished treatment
  • you forgot to take your medication or didn’t take it properly
  • your symptoms don’t go away
  • you’re pregnant

If you’re under 25 years of age, you should be offered a repeat test for chlamydia 3 to 6 months after finishing your treatment because you’re at a higher risk of catching it again.

What Happens If Chlamydia Is Left Untreated

What You Need to Know About Chlamydia
  • reduced fertility
  • reactive arthritis
  • an infection of the testicles and epididymis
  • pelvic inflammatory disease which can cause pain, infertility and increase the risk of having ectopic pregnancies
  • reactive arthritis
  • pregnancy complications like miscarriages, premature births and stillbirths

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Chlamydia

Most commonly, people who have chlamydia dont show any signs or symptoms. Thats why its so important for anyone who is sexually active to get tested for common STIs annually or when they have a new partner. If left untreated, chlamydia can permanently damage a womans reproductive health and lead to infertility.

When symptoms do present, they may not be noticeable until a few weeks after exposure.

For women and people with vaginas, symptoms are similar to those of a yeast infection or UTI and include:

  • Changes in discharge
  • Burning sensation when peeing

Similarly, chlamydia symptoms in men and those with penises, can easily be confused with other conditions and include:

  • Burning or itching
  • Pain and swelling in one or both testicles

If you experience these symptoms, get tested. Keep in mind though, that most people who have chlamydia dont experience any symptoms. Thats why its so important to get tested regularly.

How You Prevent It

Remember to always practice safer sex and use condoms. This will lower the risk of getting chlamydia or other STIs.

If you find out that you have chlamydia, your partner need to be told that they could have an infection even if there arent any symptoms. If you have concerns about telling your partner, contact a public health nurse.

The public health nurse can suggest ways to handle the situation or they will contact your partner for you. Of course, your name will be kept confidential.

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How Can I Get Tested For Chlamydia Online

While STIs are common and nothing to feel embarrassed about, some people still feel awkward talking with their doctor, but that doesn’t have to stop you from getting the care you need. Thankfully, Virtuwell offers at-home STI tests for women ages 18 and older. These tests are for women who are currently experiencing symptoms as well as those who want to complete a preventive STI screening. The kit is shipped to your front door with step-by-step instructions on how to collect your sample. Once your sample is ready, simply follow the directions and ship it to our lab in the provided prepaid envelope.

When your results are ready, youll be promptly notified by email or texttypically within a few days.

You Can Get Chlamydia More Than Once

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With some diseases, having one infection makes you immune to future infections. Thats not the case with chlamydia. If you engage in sexual activity with a person who has a chlamydia infection, you can get it again, even if youve just completed treatment for it.

Both partners should be treated before reinitiating sexual intercourse to prevent relapse, Schaffir says.

Read Also: Yeast Infection After Chlamydia Treatment

Can You Go To Urgent Care For Std Testing

If you think you may have an STD or if you wanted to get an STD test as a precaution, you may be wondering, should I go to urgent care or my primary doctor? Many people choose to go to an urgent care clinic for an STD test if they feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to go to their normal doctor. Theres no reason to feel embarrassed about getting an STD test but there are some benefits of going to urgent care:

  • You can get same-day, walk-in care
  • You can book an appointment online and save even more time
  • Urgent care centers can treat you discreetly

Your urgent care doctor will give you a physical exam and evaluate any visible symptoms. To get an official diagnosis, youll be asked to give a blood or urine sample which will be sent to a lab for testing. Youll usually have the results within a few days and be given a prescription for antibiotics to treat a bacterial STD or an antiviral medication to treat a viral STD.

The only time that you may be unable to be treated for an STD at urgent care is if it has progressed beyond what can be treated with a prescription. If this is the case, your urgent care doctor will advise you to follow up with your primary physician.

Recommended Reading: How Effective Is Doxycycline For Chlamydia

What If I Test Positive

Even though test kiting for chlamydia isnt always reliable, if you do test positive, you should seek medical advice immediately. You will get tested again, but this time in a medical facility to make sure that you carry the infection. The sooner you get tested, the easier the treatment will be. Home testing kits are there to help you monitor your health, so if they do show you are positive, you shouldnt ignore these results.

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How Long Does Azithromycin Take To Cure Chlamydia

confusedgirl1over a year ago

A poster calling themselves confused girl was diagnosed with the sexually-transmitted infection Chlamydia and subsequently prescribed the antibiotic Azithromycin. She reported that her symptoms itching and pain while urinating had subsided but not entirely disappeared since she started taking the antibiotic, and she wanted to know how long it would take for her infection to clear up. Interestingly, she didnt mention whether she had completed her course of antibiotics, nor whether she had been back to see her doctor for a follow-up appointment.

Chlamydia being among the most common sexually-transmitted diseases, this poster wasnt alone by any stretch of the imagination. It is notable, however, that she reported symptoms, since the infection usually doesnt have any unless it is left untreated.

SteadyHealth

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Where Do People Go For Treatment Of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

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

Major public health resources are devoted to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases through public STD clinics. However, little is known about where people actually receive treatment for STDs.

Methods

As part of the National Health and Social Life Survey, household interviews were performed from February to September 1992 with 3,432 persons aged 18-59. Weighted population estimates and multinomial response methods were used to describe the prevalence of self-reported STDs and patterns of treatment utilization by persons who ever had a bacterial or viral STD.

Results

The health care utilization patterns for STD treatment in the United States are complex. Specific disease diagnosis, gender, race and income status all affect where people will seek treatment. These factors need to be taken into account when STD prevention strategies are being developed.

Family Planning Perspectives, 1999, 31:10-15

Our objectives in this article are to provide population-based estimates of the prevalence of patient-reported STDs and to characterize patterns of treatment utilization according to specific STDs and client characteristics. The analyses use data from the National Health and Social Life Survey , a population-based survey of the sexual behavior of Americans. This survey obtained information directly from respondents about which STDs they had had and where they had received treatment for their STD.

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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.

What Is The Treatment For Oral Chlamydia

Oral chlamydia is treated with the antibiotics, azithromycin or doxycycline. Doxycycline is the recommended treatment as it is more effective. Chlamydia antibiotics come as oral tablets or pills that are swallowed with water.

It is important that you use chlamydia treatment if you have tested positive. According to the NHS, more than 95% of chlamydia cases are curable if the medication is taken correctly. These antibiotics work by slowing or stopping bacterial growth and this cures the infection, reducing the risk of transmission.

If you are diagnosed with chlamydia of the throat, you should wait until you finish your prescribed dose and your symptoms have completely gone before engaging in sexual activity.

Do not stop your course of antibiotics early, even if your symptoms improve or go away. This could cause the infection to come back.

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How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed

Self-collected vaginal swab testing is available and many women find this screening strategy highly acceptable.

  • Geisler WM, Uniyal A, Lee JY, et al. Azithromycin versus Doxycycline for Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis Infection. N Engl J Med. 2015 373:2512-2521. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1502599
  • Workowski, K, Bolan G. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2015. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
  • WHO Guidelines for the Treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis. Geneva: World Health Organization 2016. 4, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TREATMENT OF CHLAMYDIAL INFECTIONS. Available from:
  • Chlamydia Treatment and Care. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/treatment.htm
  • Chlamydia Treatment Information Sheet. Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

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You Have Options For How You Tell Your Partner

BBC Radio 1

If you test positive for an STI, telling any past or current partners is M-U-S-T so they can get treated and prevent potential spread.

If you suspect that disclosing a positive result to your partner will compromise your safety or you just dont want to do it yourself! your healthcare provider can notify them anonymously.

Recommended Reading: What Are Signs Of Chlamydia In Females

Can You Get Chlamydia In Mouth

Can you get chlamydia in your mouth?

Though it is less common to get chlamydia in your mouth and throat, it is possible.

Chlamydia may be transmitted when someone performs oral sex on someone who has genital chlamydia It is also possible for someone who has chlamydia in the throat to give it to another person via oral sex.

Oral sex is a less common route of transmission, or in other words, chlamydia is less likely to be transmitted during oral sex. The bacteria associated with chlamydia generally targets warm and moist environments such as the genitals. Chlamydia bacteria is more likely to thrive in the genital areas.

Read: What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

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