Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Tests

What are gonorrhea and chlamydia tests?

These tests check for 2 sexually transmitted diseases: gonorrhea and chlamydia. Your provider may swab an infected area for tests or may test a sample of urine.

Why are these tests done?

These tests are done to see if you have gonorrhea or chlamydial infection. These serious infections may not cause any symptoms at first. Later, if they are not treated, they can cause pain and serious health problems, such as arthritis and infertility.

How do I prepare for the test?

• Women do not need to do anything to prepare for this test.
• If you are a man and a sample is being taken from your penis, do not urinate for 3 to 4 hours before the test.

How is the test done?

Your health care provider uses a swab to collect secretions from the infected area. The most commonly checked areas are the penis and a woman's cervix. If you have had anal intercourse or if you are having symptoms around the anus, a swab of that area will be done also. Because gonorrhea can infect the throat after oral sex, a throat swab of the tonsils may be done.

Newborn babies can get chlamydia from their mothers during birth. It can cause an eye infection. To test for chlamydia in a newborn, a swab is carefully taken from discharge in the corner of the eye.

Samples collected with the swab are sent to the lab. The lab tries to grow gonorrhea and chlamydia organisms to see if they are in the samples. The lab runs special tests to check the type of bacteria that may be growing from the samples. This type of test is called a culture.

Faster but sometimes more expensive tests for chlamydia use antibody tests of swab samples. Results of these tests may be available in a couple of days rather than the 3 or more days needed for cultures.

The newest antibody test is done with a urine sample rather than swabs. It can check for gonorrhea and chlamydia. It is not available at all clinics and hospitals and is often the most expensive of these tests.

How will I get the test result?

Ask your health care provider when and how you will get the result of your test.

What do the test results mean?

A positive test result means that chlamydia or gonorrhea bacteria are present and you have an infection. Sometimes you may have both types of infection. If you have a positive result, your health care provider will prescribe treatment with antibiotics.

State laws often require that health care providers report the names of people who have these infections to the health department. This allows the state health department to monitor for outbreaks and for infections that are becoming resistant to the usual antibiotics.

What if my test result is not normal?

Test results are only one part of a larger picture that takes into account your medical history and current health. Sometimes a test needs to be repeated to check the first result. Talk to your heath care provider about your result and ask questions.

If your test result is positive, ask your health care provider:

• if you need additional tests
• any questions you have about your treatment
• when you need to be tested again
• when it is safe to have sex again
• how to protect yourself against reinfection.

If you have a positive test result, you should tell your sexual partner. Follow your health care provider's advice about when it is safe to start having sex again. Use latex or polyurethane condoms every time you have sex to prevent another infection.