Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterium
that can damage a woman’s reproductive organs (infertility) if left
untreated.
Chlamydia is a serious disease that often has
minimal or no symptoms. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea have similar
symptoms such as discharge and painful urination.
Because Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are alike, both tests are available in
the ANY LAB TEST NOW® Comprehensive
STD Panel.
Symptoms are often
mild and unnoticeable. It isn’t called the “
silent
STD” for nothing. Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease
because about three quarters of infected women and about half of
infected men have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear
within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure. In women, the bacteria initially
infect the cervix and the urethra (urine canal).
Women who have symptoms might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a
burning sensation when urinating. When the infection spreads from the
cervix to the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry fertilized eggs from the
ovaries to the uterus), some women still have no signs or symptoms;
others have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain
during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods. Chlamydia
infection of the cervix can spread to the rectum.
Men with signs or symptoms might have a discharge from their penis or a
burning sensation when urinating. Men might also have burning and
itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the
testicles are uncommon. Men or women who have receptive anal intercourse
may acquire Chlamydia infection in the rectum, which can cause rectal
pain, discharge, or bleeding.
Chlamydia can also be found in the throats of women and men having oral
sex with an infected partner.
Test results are
given as positive or negative. A positive result indicates that you have
Chlamydia and need to seek treatment. A negative result indicates that
you do not have Chlamydia There are no high levels and no low levels for
this test.
Stop wondering – get tested today
at ANY LAB TEST NOW®. You don’t need an appointment and no insurance is
required. All tests are confidential and can be taken anonymously.