Chlamydia Testing
What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?
Even though chlamydia symptoms are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur "silently" before a woman ever recognizes a problem. In women, the bacteria initially infect the cervix and the urethra (urine canal).- Women who have symptoms might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating.
When the infection spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes, some women still have no signs or symptoms; others have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse or bleeding between menstrual periods.- Men with signs or symptoms might have a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating.
Men might also have a burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the testicles are uncommon.How is Chlamydia Transmitted?
Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Chlamydia can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth.
Any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. The greater the number of sex partners, the greater the risk of infection. Because the cervix (opening to the uterus) of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured, they are at particularly high risk for infection if sexually active. Since chlamydia can be transmitted by oral or anal sex, men who have sex with men are also at risk for chlamydial infection.
How can Chlamydia be treated?
Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. A single dose of azithromycin or a week of doxycycline (twice daily) are the most commonly used treatments. HIV-positive persons with chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV negative.
All sex partners should be evaluated, tested, and treated. Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their sex partners have completed treatment, otherwise re-infection is possible.
Women whose sex partners have not been appropriately treated are at high risk for re-infection. Having multiple infections increases a woman's risk of serious reproductive health complications, including infertility. Retesting should be considered for women, especially adolescents, three to four months after treatment. This is especially true if a woman does not know if her sex partner received treatment.
What chlamydia testing do you recommend?
NHT uses a urine based test for chlamydia. First morning urine is preferred for this test, but the specimen is acceptable if the client has not urinated for one to two hours before the test.
