Chlamydia is the most common infectious disease in America, with more than 1.2 million cases reported every year. This disease can be cured by a course of antibiotics. When left untreated, however, it can be very dangerous. The condition can result in conjunctivitis leading to blindness, as well as reactive arthritis, spontaneous abortion and premature birth. Children of mothers with a chlamydia infection can also develop severe pneumonia. Regular testing is important for anyone who is sexually active.

Chlamydia Testing
This infection is transmitted primarily via sexual contact, but can also be spread during childbirth. Infected mothers can pass chlamydia to their children when the baby passes through the birth canal. Unlike many other sexually-transmitted infections, chlamydia cannot be detected by a blood test. Patients must have either a urine or bodily fluid test to identify the presences of Chlamydia trachomatis, the bacteria responsible for this type of infection.

There are several kinds of chlamydia tests. The most common is the nucleic acid amplification test, often listed as NAA or NAAT. This detects the DNA of the bacteria and provides the greatest accuracy and sensitivity. It is unlikely to produce a false positive and can be performed on a urine sample. An NAAT can also be used to detect the presence of gonorrhea, another STI, and the two diseases are often combined in the same screening.

Doctors can use some other methods to detect the presence of chlamydia. These include nuclei acid hybridization tests, also known as DNA probe tests. This test also looks for chlamydia DNA and is very accurate, but it’s not as sensitive as the NAAT. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, better known as EIA or ELISA, find the antigens produced by the body in response to a chlamydia infection, as do direct fluorescent antibody tests, or DFAs. Some doctors prefer to take a chlamydia culture. This test is the most expensive, takes the longest, and must be performed in a lab, since it involves growing any chlamydia bacteria present in the sample in a special type of cup.

Symptoms of Chlamydia
This disease can produce a variety of symptoms, some of which resemble the effects of other diseases, including other STIs. Not everyone gets symptoms but in those who do, the symptoms usually appear within one to three weeks after exposure.

This disease often produces unusual vaginal discharge and a burning feeling while urinating. It can also cause pain in the lower abdomen or back, as well as bleeding between menstrual periods, nausea and fever. Pain and swelling of the testicles sometimes occur. When chlamydia spreads to the rectum it causes bleeding, pain and discharge in some people. This disease can sometimes attack the throats of people who have had oral sex with a partner who is infected.

Why Receive Chlamydia Testing?
There are several reasons for a patient to request a chlamydia test. The first is if the person suspects that he or she has been exposed to the disease or is suffering from symptoms of an STI that match up with those caused by chlamydia. Routine testing can be used to check anyone who is considered at high risk for the disease, since infection doesn’t always result in symptoms.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests chlamydia testing for all women who are aged 24 and younger and who are sexually active. Testing should also be performed on women who are older than 24 and have risky behaviors, such as lack of protection or multiple partners. People who suffer from pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, should have routine chlamydia tests, as should people who have recently had a pelvic exam that shows signs of cervical infection.

Pregnancy is another reason to check for the presence of chlamydia. Since this infection can be passed to babies during birth and often results in serious side effects, detecting and treating it early can help protect a baby. In some cases, the baby will need to be born via Cesarian section instead of vaginally. Anyone who is pregnant should have a chlamydia test performed during the first trimester. If that person engages in high risk sexual behaviors before or during pregnancy, a third trimester test is also a good idea.

Chlamydia tests can often be performed in conjunction with other STI tests such as a “peace of mind” screening designed to catch all the most common sexually-transmitted infections. This smart screening method allows anyone who is concerned about his or her sexual health to take the right treatment steps or rest easier.

Preparing for the Test
Most chlamydia tests are performed on urine samples. These require relatively little preparation; anyone who is getting this kind of test should not urinate for two hours before the sample is to be collected. This ensures an adequately large sample for testing. Before urinating to provide a sample, patients must not wipe the urethra or the surrounding area, as this can remove important evidence of infection. The first part of the urine is the most useful for detecting chlamydia.

If a direct sample is being taken from the cervix, vaginal creams and douches should be discontinued 24 hours before collection. If a direct sample is being taken from the urethra or rectum, patients should avoid enemas prior to sampling, as well as urination for two hours before the sample is to be taken.