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?
There are 2 main ways to test for these infections:
- swabs from the infected area
- a urine test.
Your healthcare provider may use 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 from the samples. The
lab runs special tests to check the type of bacteria grows from
the samples. This type of test is called a culture. It usually
takes 2 to 3 days to get the results.
The newest test is done with a urine sample rather than swabs. It
can check for gonorrhea and chlamydia. It is now available at most
clinics and hospitals and is often the most expensive of these
tests. The results from the urine test can be available on the
same day you have the test or the next day.
The advantage of the swab test over the urine test is that it can
identify both the cause of the infection (gonorrhea or chlamydia)
and which antibiotics are best to treat the infection.
How will I get the test result?
Ask your healthcare 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 healthcare
provider will prescribe treatment with antibiotics.
State laws often require that healthcare 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 healthcare provider:
- if you need additional tests, for example, for other sexually
transmitted diseases
- 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, so he or she can be treated also. Follow your healthcare
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.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
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