Chlamydia is a disease caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It’s most commonly contracted during sexual contact. If Chlamydia is left untreated it may cause scarring of the fallopian tube, internal urethral infections, and can result in infertility. In pregnant women Chlamydia can cause premature labor and delivery. Chlamydia is a curable disease so it needs to be tested for anytime a check is needed.
Chlamydia Symptoms
Burning sensation during urination
Discharge from penis, Vagina or rectum
Testicular tenderness or pain
Vaginal discharge
Painful sex
Our Chlamydia Test
Chlamydia
This test is performed with a urine specimen NOT a swab. The test uses nucleic acid amplification to detect the presence of the bacterium. The nucleic acid amplification test has been proven to be more accurate than the swab test.
What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?
It is not easy to tell if you are infected with chlamydia since symptoms are usually not apparent. But when they do occur, they are usually noticeable within 1-3 weeks of contact and can include the following:
Symptoms in Women
Abnormal vaginal discharge that may have an odor
Bleeding between periods
Painful periods
Abdominal pain with fever
Pain when having sex
Itching or burning in or around the vagina
Pain when urinating
Symptoms in Man
Small amounts of clear or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis
Painful urination
Burning and itching around the opening of the penis
Pain and swelling around the testicles
What Happens If I Don’t Get Tested?
If you do not get tested for chlamydia, you run the risk of several health problems.
For women If left untested, the infection can cause pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to damage of the fallopian tubes or even cause infertility.
For men Chlamydia can cause a condition called nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) – an infection of the urethra, epididymitis – an infection of the epididymis or proctitis – an inflammation of the rectum. Chlamydia is an STD (sexually transmitted disease) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. . It is spread during vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected person. It can be transmitted at any time by a person who is infected with the bacteria whether or not symptoms are present. A person is always contagious until they have been effectively treated. Once the bacteria has been treated it will not reoccur unless the person comes into contact with the bacteria again. Symptoms of chlamydia will vary from person to person. Some people may be asymptomatic (no visible signs or symptoms) and not experience symptoms, or the symptoms can be so slight or mild that they often go unnoticed or are mistaken for something else. If you think that you may have come into contact with this bacteria you will need to get tested and treated if a positive result comes back. Although chlamydia is curable the longer it is left untreated the more chances of having other serious health issues increase.
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States. 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 and is probably more susceptible to infection, 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.
Symptoms of chlamydia in women, if they are noticeable can include abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating, lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods. All symptoms do not need to be present for an infection to have occurred, and some women can be asymptomatic. If you feel you may have been exposed to gonorrhea have a test ordered as soon as possible. Left untreated chlamydia can cause serious health complications, and can include: pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus).
In pregnant women, there is some evidence that untreated chlamydial infections can lead to premature delivery. Babies who are born to infected mothers can get chlamydial infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts. Chlamydia is a leading cause of early infant pneumonia and conjunctivitis (pink eye) in newborns.
Men can also be asymptomatic and not have noticeable signs or symptoms of a gonorrhea infection. When symptoms do occur they can include: burning sensation while urinating, clear or cloudy discharge, burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Left untreated Chlamydia can spread to the epididymis (the tube that carries sperm from the testes), and cause pain, fever, and sterility.
Risk factors that can lead to the contraction of chlamydia include: multiple sex partners, having sex with a high risk partner (someone that has had multiple sex partners), and having unprotected sexual contact. Proper use of a condom when engaging in sexual contact can greatly reduce the chance of you contracting chlamydia. Chlamydia can also be spread by having oral sex with an infected partner. Talk with your partner about STD’s before starting a sexual relationship with them. If you or your partner have never been tested for STD’s and have engaged in any risky behaviors, it is recommended that you both get tested prior to engaging in any sexual activity. If you are not having symptoms it is not a safe assumption that you are not infected with an STD. Getting tested is the only way to know if you are disease free. If you are experiencing any symptoms avoid any sexual contact until you have been tested. The test we utilize for chlamydia is a urine specimen not a swab test. This test uses nucleic acid amplification to detect the presence of the bacteria. This test has been proven to be more accurate than a swab test. If you feel you may have been exposed to chlamydia, or any other STD, call and speak to one of our trained counselors to set up an appointment today.
