Chlamydia Tests How is Chlamydia Tested

Chlamydia Treatment is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. Chlamydia tests use a sample of body fluid or urine from the affected area to see whether chlamydia bacteria (Chlamydia trachomatis) are present and causing an infection. In adults, these areas may include the cervix, urethra, rectum, or eye. Several types of tests can be used to find a chlamydia infection. Most tests use a sample of body fluid from the affected area.

- Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT). These tests find the genetic material (DNA) of chlamydia bacteria. These tests are the most sensitive tests available. That means they are very accurate and that they are very unlikely to have false-positive test results. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is an example of a nucleic acid amplification test. This test can also be done on a urine sample.
- Nucleic acid hybridization tests (DNA probe test). A probe test also finds chlamydia DNA. A probe test is very accurate but is not as sensitive as nucleic acid amplification tests.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, EIA). This quick test finds substances (chlamydia antigens) that trigger the immune system to fight chlamydia infection.
- Direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA). This quick test also finds chlamydia antigens.
- symptoms chlamydia culture. A culture is a special cup that allows the chlamydia bacteria to grow. This test is more expensive, and the results take longer (5 to 7 days) than the other tests. The culture must be done in a lab.

What is Chlamydia Test for?

The test is used:
1 to diagnose the cause of symptoms,
2 to screen sexually active people for the microorganism, or
3 to document that a person has been sexually abused.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends checking for chlamydia for:
- All sexually active women age 24 or younger.
- Women older than age 24 with high-risk sexual behaviors.
- All pregnant women in the first trimester and again in the third trimester if high-risk sexual behaviors are reported. Treating a pregnant woman who has a chlamydia infection can prevent an infection in her newborn.
- All women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- All women with symptoms of a cervical infection (cervicitis) found on a pelvic exam.

How to Prepare for the Test?

A chlamydia test is done on either fluid (direct sample) collected from the area of the body that is most likely to be infected or on a urine sample. If your chlamydia test is being done on a:
- Direct sample (usually from the cervix): A woman should not douche or use vaginal creams or medicines for 24 hours before having a chlamydia test.
- Urine sample: Do not urinate for 2 hours before a urine sample is collected.

Direct sample
In a direct sample, a sample of body fluid is taken from the affected area. In adults, these areas may include the cervix, urethra, rectum, or eye.
- For men. To collect a sample from the urethra or rectum, your doctor will insert a swab into the opening of your urethra or rectum to collect a sample. A sample from the urethra is more likely to detect chlamydia if a man has not urinated for at least 2 hours before the sample is taken.

- For women. To collect a sample from the cervix, you will take off your clothes below the waist and drape a cloth around your waist. You will lie on your back on an exam table with your feet raised and supported by stirrups. This allows your doctor to examine your vagina and genital area. Your doctor will insert an instrument with curved sides (speculum) into your vagina. The speculum gently spreads apart the vaginal walls so the inside of the vagina and the cervix can be looked at. Samples are collected from the cervix with a swab or small brush.

To collect a sample from your eye, your doctor will gently brush the insides of your lower and upper eyelids with a swab.

In rare cases, a throat culture may be done.

Urine sample
If a urine sample is collected for nucleic acid amplification testing (such as PCR testing), do not urinate for 2 hours before the test. Do not wipe the genital area clean before urinating. Collect the first part of your urine stream, immediately as you begin urinating.

Is there anything else I should know?

People who are infected have a higher risk of developing other sexually transmitted diseases, including a 3 to 5 times greater risk of acquiring HIV if exposed to it. If you are infected, your sexual partner(s) should also be tested and treated as well.

Because symptoms of chlamydia can be similar to those of other STDs, other screening tests, such as for gonorrhea, may be performed along with the chlamydia test.
Dr. Lee is good at treating female and male reproductive and urinary system diseases, such as chlamydia, endometriosis, prostatitis, cystitis, mycoplasma, etc.