If you’re sexually active, it’s important to have a regular chlamydia test every now and then. Chlamydia symptoms are similar to those of gonorrhea, so it’s important to seek medical help if you think you might have this disease. Untreated, chlamydia can cause infertility and may spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or other organs. Before you and your partner decide to make a joint decision about treatment, it’s important to get a test first.
Newer tests, known as NAATs (or short for non-amygal azaptan azaptanamide), are easy to take and highly accurate. Your healthcare provider will tell you what diagnostic testing options are available (such as urinalysis or swab test). In most cases, a urine test reveals the presence of a particular strain of chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. However, if the test indicates other bacteria, your healthcare provider may order additional tests to rule out other diseases or conditions. If you live in Alaska, Maryland or Washington, D.C. and are free of an approved medical screening program, you can get a free, at home chlamydia test within a year. std-test-kit has them as well.
If you’re sexually active or not, but think you might have been sexually tested, do some research immediately. There’s no need to be diagnosed for sexually transmitted diseases before you know for sure that you have one; the earlier you’re testing, the better your chances of being diagnosed soon and treated effectively. For pregnant women, you should be screened for chlamydia sooner rather than later. Be aware that not all testing done at clinics are confidential; in fact, most offer privacy policies guaranteeing that your information is kept confidential and only used for specific purposes.
You can be diagnosed with chlamydia if you’re exposed to an infected person, semen or vaginal fluid, during sex or oral sex. It can be transmitted by engaging in anal, oral or vaginal sex. Once infected, you must wait for seven to fourteen days after exposure before you can start your treatment. Some people might experience symptoms similar to those of gonorrhea or herpes within a week or two of exposure, but these infections usually don’t show up for a while. If you’re feeling discomfort, pain or some other uncomfortable symptoms after being exposed, seek treatment immediately.
A vaginal or cervical swab test will determine if you’ve been infected with gonorrhea or another STD. If you’re positive, you’ll be sent for a test called a cervix culture in order to confirm your diagnosis. During a cervical swab test, a small fluid sample is taken from the cervix to check for abnormalities, such as cancerous cells or inflammation. If a cancer cell is found during the swab test, your doctor will order a biopsy. Abnormal cells may also be detected during a routine exam called a Pap smear, where cells are scraped from the cervix under a magnifying glass and checked for quality and quantity.
Chlamydia testing can be done at home. If you regularly have sexual intercourse with multiple partners, you should get tested at least once within every year. Your sexual partner should be contacted if he or she has symptoms consistent with this infection. Chlamydia is one of the most common STDs and can lead to serious health complications, including infertility.
