Chlamydia – Here’s How to Test, Treat and Prevent This Sneaky STI
Picture this: your life is going great and you are comfortably juggling your job, relationships and social activities. And then you notice something amiss – may be a mild discomfort or unusual discharge. Chances are you will ignore the symptoms and get on with your life. However, there is also a chance that it might be chlamydia – one of the most common yet discreet STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) in the United States. So, let us dive into the world of chlamydia, unveil its symptoms, explore its testing and treatment options and discover how urgent care clinics can help with quick testing and detection.
Understanding Chlamydia and its symptoms
The thing about an STI like chlamydia is that it does not usually trigger noticeable symptoms in affected individuals. As a result, these individuals remain unaware about their condition and the infection can silently spread to their sexual partners.
Those who experience symptoms may notice these issues in varying degrees of severity:
• Pain during urination
• Discomfort in the lower abdominal area
• Bleeding after sex or between periods
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Abnormal and foul-smelling discharge from genitals
Do visit your nearest urgent care clinic for same day chlamydia test in case you are experiencing any of these symptoms. Although the symptoms may not mean it is chlamydia, it would be a good idea to pay attention to ensure your overall health. Remember that the absence of symptoms does not mean you are in the clear. To be really sure, it is crucial to get tested regularly.
The power of STI screening
Regular screening can help detect STIs you may not know you have. This way, you can access treatment at the earliest and improve your chances of making a full recovery. More importantly, it can prevent STIs from causing health complications. For these reasons, healthy experts opine that visiting an urgent care clinic for STI testing must be as normal as a routine dental checkup.
Two testing methods are available to screen for chlamydia:
• NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests): Considered the most accurate testing method, this sensitive test requires a urine sample or a swab that will then be tested for chlamydia DNA. The results will be available in a few days.
• NAAT with point-of-care testing: If you need immediate chlamydia test results, this would be a good choice. Available at most urgent care clinics, the results of this rapid screening method are available within 30 minutes.
If you test positive for chlamydia, you will be prescribed a course of antibiotics. Remember to complete the entire course to ensure that the bacteria is totally eliminated from your system.
Why choose urgent care clinics for STI testing?
There are may reasons why an urgent care clinic might be better than regular medical facilities when it comes to STI testing. Some of the benefits of urgent care clinics include:
• Privacy and confidentiality: Your privacy gains top priority at walk in clinics. This is why you need not provide your real name to get tested here. These clinics maintain strict confidentiality so that your details or results will not be shared with anyone else.
• Convenience: Urgent care clinics remain open late into the evening and do not require prior appointments. These facilities are also conveniently located at major intersections or malls.
• Speed: Urgent care clinics offer same day chlamydia testing options so that you can have complete peace of mind in less than half an hour.
• Affordability: Walk-in clinics offer competitive pricing that is often less that rates at regular clinics.
Get tested today
Regular testing is the surest way to detect chlamydia before it turns ugly. Early detection means faster treatment and recovery. Take charge of your health and visit your nearest urgent care clinic today for an STI screening.
