Description
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Test
Test Recommendations:
Sexually active people, or those who are less than 25 years old, are advised to have a test for chlamydia and gonorrhea every year. If a person has several sexual partners or has unprotected intercourse, it is safer to test more frequently.
Confidentiality and Privacy:
Testing for STIs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia is confidential. INDICAID health ensures confidentiality and is also HIPAA-compliant.
Treatment:
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are both treatable with antibiotics. It is important to take all medication prescribed even if one is feeling better. Treatment is necessary to avert future complications and transmission. Sexual partners should be informed and tested so that they can be treated if they are infected.
Retesting:
Following treatment for a chlamydia or gonorrhea infection, it is generally recommended to have a repeat test to confirm that the infection has been resolved. This is most commonly performed around three months following treatment in cases where drug compliance or reinfection is suspected.
Prevention:
Practicing safe sex is integral to lowering the risk of infection or transmission of chlamydia and gonorrhea. This involves wearing a condom every time and adhering to its correct use. Vaccinations against other STIs such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B are also necessary. Keep in mind that even with safe sex practices, there is a chance to become infected or to transmit these infections.
This test is not suitable for pregnancy.
Instructions
Register your kit online. Next, complete the back of the registration card label. Apply label lengthwise to the specimen tube.
Open and widen urine collection cup. Hold cup at the bottom and obtain urine specimen.
You have to collect a urine sample. Swirl urine in a cup in a gentle circular manner.
Open transfer pipette and take out the tube camp. Fill a pipette and transfer urine to the specimen tube until it is filled to the dotted line.
Close the tube and mix 4 times to mix thoroughly the urine with reagents.
Insert specimen tube into the specimen bag and put it inside the INDICAID health empty box.
Insert the INDICAID health box with the specimen in the pre-labeled return envelope. Find a local UPS store or have them pick-up. Ship your sample only Mondays through Thursdays.
You’re finished! We will contact you when we have received your sample in the lab.
Most Asked Questions
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are both
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease brought about by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria and results in genital infections, anal and oral infections. It is also the most reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection in America.
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection very prevalent in people due to bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The CDC states that there are approximately 820,000 new cases of gonorrheal infection annually and it is the second most frequently diagnosed sexually transmitted infection other than chlamydia in America.
The most prevalent signs and symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhea are:
Although only 70-80% of cases of chlamydia are asymptomatic, several symptoms of a genital infection of chlamydia can be:
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Burning to urinate when urinating
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Urinating too frequently
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White, watery or cloudy discharge through the penis
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Testicular tenderness and swelling and/or pain
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Abnormal vaginal discharge (smelling possibly)
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Pain when having sexual intercourse
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Menstruation or bleeding between periods is painful
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Fever, pain in the abdomen or pelvis
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Itching or burning near the vagina
Gonorrhea is typically asymptomatic in men and women but potential genital signs of gonorrhea are:
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Itching, swelling or redness of the genital area
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Unusual discharge
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Tenderness
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Urinating more often than usual
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Overall discomfort in affected area
Women with gonorrhea hardly ever have noticeable symptoms or incorrectly attribute them to a urinary tract infection.
In conjunction with the above-mentioned symptoms, women also experience:
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Yellowish vaginal discharge
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Pelvic and/or lower abdominal pain
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Vaginal bleeding or discharge between periods
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Pain during sex
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Oral infection might present with a sore throat
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be transmitted through
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea is spread through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected individual. Semen need not be present in order for gonorrhea to be transmitted or contracted. The disease can also be transmitted to a mother who has an untreated infection to her infant at birth.
Anyone who has ever had chlamydia or gonorrhea and has been treated may become infected again if they have sexual contact with an individual infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are both treated with
Chlamydia is most typically treated with a course of seven days of prescription antibiotics. Avoid all types of sex until you have finished taking a full course of antibiotics.
Gonorrhea is treated by an initial injection of antibiotic (ceftriaxone), followed by a course of oral antibiotics (azithromycin). The azithromycin is important in its prevention of antibiotic resistance in the strains of gonorrhea. A follow-up appointment with the prescribing doctor is recommended if signs/symptoms continue for a period of several days postcompletation of therapy. The “wait and see” policy is discouraged since it is fraught with transmission risks and potential long-term consequences.
