Why Chlamydia Testing Is A Must For High-Risk Individuals
Chlamydia is an infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the U.S. It spreads through vaginal, anal, and oral sexual contact. If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious health issues.
Diagnosis for this infection can be done through same day chlamydia test facilities. It involves collecting samples such as urine or swabs from the vagina, cervix, throat, eyes, or rectum. These samples can be collected by the testing lab assistant depending on the potential site of infection.
Why To Undergo Chlamydia Test
The purpose of the chlamydia test is to determine whether you have a chlamydia infection. Many people who have contracted chlamydia do not experience symptoms. That’s why getting tested at a place where you can obtain immediate chlamydia test results is essential to detect infections early, even before symptoms appear.
Healthcare providers often perform STD screenings that test for multiple STDs simultaneously, including chlamydia, when assessing your sexual health.
When symptoms related to chlamydia are present, diagnostic testing is used to confirm or rule out chlamydia as the cause. As chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause similar symptoms, doctors may simultaneously test for both if symptoms are present.
The chlamydia test measures the presence of the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. There are various types of tests available for detecting this infection.
Who Must Get Tested
Chlamydia testing is crucial because most infected individuals do not experience any symptoms, making screening essential for early detection. The recommended screening guidelines vary depending on factors such as age, sexual practices, and health status.
• For women, regular testing is advised for those under 25 years old and sexually active. Screening should be conducted if they are at an increased risk of contracting chlamydia.
• Men who are gay, bisexual, or have had sexual relations with multiple partners should be tested annually and more frequently if they are at an increased risk.
• People diagnosed with HIV should undergo chlamydia screening during their initial HIV evaluation, and subsequent screenings should be conducted annually based on risk factors and local infection rates.
• Certain risk factors, such as having sex with new or multiple partners, or having a partner diagnosed with an STD, increase the risk of contracting chlamydia and may warrant more frequent testing.
Diagnostic Testing/Retesting And Its Importance
Diagnostic testing for chlamydia is necessary for anyone showing signs or symptoms of the infection. These symptoms may include burning during urination, abnormal genital or rectal discharge, vaginal bleeding or pain during intercourse, testicular or scrotal pain, and rectal pain.
After a chlamydia diagnosis and completion of treatment, retesting is often recommended. This can be done after a few weeks of completion of treatment to ensure its success or around three months after treatment to check for potential reinfection.
Screening is also conducted more frequently in asymptomatic individuals staying in settings with potentially high infection rates, such as correctional facilities, adolescent health clinics, the military, and sexual health clinics.
Xpress Care offers comprehensive STD testing facilities, including same day Chlamydia test, in a discreet and hassle-free environment. The tests are conducted anonymously and quickly to make it convenient for patients.
