Chlamydia Check

What is chlamydia? It’s a sexually transmitted disease brought upon by Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacterium which can damage the reproductive organs and is very common among women. Although it usually affects women, men can also get chlamydia. The symptoms are mild and in some cases, absent. That’s why it’s referred to as the “silent disease.” But the damage can be horrendous, so much so it can even cause infertility. In 2002, there were about 840,000 chlamydial infections reported to the CDC from all over the United States.

Anyone who is sexually active can contact chlamydia. If you’re promiscuous, you’re increasing your risk.

To test for chlamydia the doctor will screen you for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis. This is a very specific and accurate test, since chlamydia can sometimes be mistaken as gonorrhea. Gonorrhea and chlamydia require different treatments.

What are the important things you need to know before and during the admission of the chlamydia test?

1. The doctor will check for the symptoms. Vaginal or penile discharge, abdominal pain or pain while urinating can pass as symptoms for chlamydia. But remember that 75% of the women with chlamydia and 50% of infected men have no active symptoms.

2. The Center For Disease Control recommends taking the tests in the following situations:
a. Females under 20 years of age who are sexually active must take the test once a year.
b. Women who are 20 and above who have more risk factors must also take the test at least once a year.

3. The risk factors are:

a. Promiscuity.
b. Sexual intercourse with someone who has multiple sex partners.
c. The absence of condoms or other barrier contraceptives during sexual intercourse.
d. Women whose cervix is infected.
e. Pregnancy.

4. The test indicates the following: If test results are positive, that necessitates treatment using antibiotics.

5. How is the test administered? Chlamydia tests need samples of a body fluid or urine to find out if Chlamydia trachomatis, the bacterium responsible for chlamydia, is present.

6. These are the types of tests used to locate the presence of chlamydial infection:

a. ELISA or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This is one of the most common and rapid tests. It looks for the chlamydia antigens that battle the chlamydia infection.
b. DFA or direct fluorescent antibody test. Another of those swift and common tests that locate chlamydia antigens.
c. NAAT or nucleic acid amplification tests. This test maps the genetic material or DNA of the chlamydia bacteria. An example of a nucleic amplification test is the polymerase chain reaction testing or PCR.
d. Chlamydia culture. A culture enables the creation of an environment where the chlamydia bacteria can grow. This test is more exorbitant than usual and the procedure can take a long time, as it requires technical skills. Results generally take a week.

Chlamydia should never be taken for granted because its effect on the body can be serious.

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