Chlamydia is a common bacterial STD caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It can pass from one person to another during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Chlamydia can affect the genitals, rectum, or throat. Many people may not notice chlamydia symptoms, so it is possible to have the STD and pass it to others without realizing it.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testing is important because symptoms alone cannot tell you whether you have chlamydia.
What are the symptoms of chlamydia?
If symptoms do appear, they may include:
- Burning or discomfort while urinating
- Unusual vaginal or penile discharge
- Bleeding between menstrual periods
- Pelvic or lower abdominal pain
- Testicular pain or swelling
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding
Symptoms may take several weeks to show up after exposure. They can also be mild and easy to confuse with a urinary tract infection, a yeast infection, or another health issue.
You may want to schedule an STD test if you have symptoms, have had sex without a condom, have a new partner, have more than one partner, or find out that a partner has tested positive for an STD.
How is chlamydia tested?
Chlamydia is usually diagnosed with a test called NAAT. This highly accurate laboratory test looks for genetic material from the bacteria that causes chlamydia.
The type of sample collected depends on your anatomy and the kinds of sexual contact you have had. Testing may involve:
- A urine sample
- A vaginal or cervical swab
- A throat swab
- A rectal swab
It is important to test the right areas. For example, a urine test may not find an infection that is only in the throat or rectum. Sharing information about your possible exposures helps your healthcare provider decide which samples to collect.
Who should receive routine STD testing?
Anyone who is sexually active or if they have certain risk factors, such as a new partner, more than one partner, or a partner who has an STD.
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are generally advised to get tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis at least twice a year. Some people with multiple or anonymous partners may benefit from testing every three to six months.
You can review additional recommendations in the CDC’s STD screening guidance. Your healthcare provider may recommend a different schedule based on your sexual activity, anatomy, pregnancy status, use of HIV PrEP, and previous STD history.
Can chlamydia be treated?
Yes. Chlamydia can be cured with the right antibiotic treatment. It is important to take all medications exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes.
Without treatment, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, pregnancy complications, and fertility problems. The World Health Organization also identifies chlamydia as a curable infection that can cause serious reproductive-health complications when it is not diagnosed and treated.
People diagnosed with chlamydia should speak with a provider regarding notifying recent sexual partners.
The CDC recommends that sexual partners who had contact with you during the 60 days before your symptoms began or before your diagnosis (if you did not have symptoms) should be evaluated, tested, and treated. Prompt partner treatment helps reduce the risk of reinfection and prevents further spread of the infection.
Repeat infection is common, so the CDC recommends retesting approximately three months after treatment for most people, regardless of whether they believe their partners were treated.
If you are pregnant, the CDC also recommends four weeks after completing treatment to confirm the treatment worked. A test is not routinely recommended for nonpregnant patients unless symptoms persist; treatment failure is suspected, or reinfection is a concern.
Confidential chlamydia STD testing in Sarasota
Orenda Health & Wellness offers private, judgment-free chlamydia and gonorrhea testing in Sarasota.
Testing is by appointment and includes time with a healthcare provider to review your results, answer your questions, and talk about next steps.
Most test results are ready in about 30 minutes. You do not need to have symptoms to schedule an STD test.