If you are sexually active, especially if you are under 25 years of age, you may have heard of the name 'Chlamydia'. This is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is very common in the world as well as in Sri Lanka. But the biggest danger and problem with this is that most of the time this infection does not show any symptoms even though it is present in the body. So, how do we recognize something like this without symptoms? That is why the Chlamydia test is very important. Today we will talk about this in a very simple way for you to understand.
Simply put, what is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is an infection caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world. The biggest problem with this is that most people who are infected, about 70% of women and 50% of men, do not have any symptoms.
Because it doesn't show symptoms, you can pass it on to your sexual partner without even realizing you have the infection. Also, if the infection remains in the body for a long time without treatment, it can lead to serious health problems, especially for women, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility .
That's why it's so important to get this test done if you feel you're at risk, whether you have symptoms or not.
Who is especially important to take this test for?
There are certain risk groups that doctors recommend getting tested for chlamydia. If you belong to one of these groups, it's wise to talk to a doctor about getting tested.
| Risk category | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Sexually active, under 25 years of age | This infection is more prevalent among young people, so if you are sexually active in this age group, it is a good idea to get tested at least once a year. |
| Pregnant mothers | If the mother has a chlamydia infection during pregnancy, it can be transmitted to the baby during delivery. This can cause conditions such as eye infections or pneumonia in the baby. Therefore, this test is done early in pregnancy. |
| People infected with HIV | Because HIV infection weakens the body's immune system, other infections (such as chlamydia) can be easily contracted. |
| People with new or multiple sexual partners | If you are new to sexual activity or have more than one partner, the risk of contracting an infection is higher. |
| People who know their partner has an STI | If your partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia or any other sexually transmitted disease, you should definitely get tested too. |
What symptoms may occur?
As I mentioned before, most of the time there are no symptoms . However, sometimes the following symptoms may appear a few weeks after infection.
Symptoms that women may experience:
- Abnormal vaginal discharge (white, yellow, or green).
- Burning or pain when urinating (Dysuria).
- Lower abdominal pain.
- Pain during sexual intercourse (Dyspareunia) or bleeding afterwards.
- Slight bleeding between menstrual cycles.
Symptoms that men may experience:
- A white, watery, or thick discharge from the penis.
- Burning or pain when urinating.
- Pain or swelling in one or both testicles.
If these symptoms occur in women and men, they can include pain in the area, unusual discharge, or bleeding.
How is the test done? What are the methods?
The main and most accurate test used to detect a chlamydia infection is the NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) .
Simply put, this test looks for the genetic material, or DNA, of the Chlamydia bacteria in a sample taken from your body. In other words, just like police use fingerprints at a crime scene to catch a criminal, this test can detect even the smallest piece of DNA from the bacteria. So it's a very sensitive and accurate test.
Methods of obtaining samples:
1. Urine Sample: This is the most commonly used and easiest method. You will be given a clean cup and asked to urinate into it. The important thing here is to take the first urine sample as soon as you start urinating.
2. Swab Sample: A cotton swab is used to obtain a sample of cells from a possible infection.
- For women: inside the vagina or through the cervix.
- For men: Inside the urethral opening of the penis.
- For both parties: If necessary, samples can be taken from the rectum, throat, or eyes (if infection is suspected in those areas).
Generally, the results obtained from a swab sample may be slightly more accurate than a urine sample, but both methods are very reliable.
Is there any preparation required before the test?
Yes, to get an accurate result, you need to take care of a few small things before the test. Your doctor will advise you on this.
- Do not urinate for 1-2 hours: Especially if you are providing a urine sample, not urinating for an hour or two before the test will increase the concentration of bacteria in the sample and make it easier to get an accurate result.
- Do not use douching or creams: Women should avoid using these products for at least 24 hours before the test, as they can remove bacteria from the sample and cause a false result.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking antibiotics: If you are taking antibiotics for any other reason, tell your doctor. They may ask you to stop taking them temporarily before the test.
How to understand the results?
After your sample is sent to the lab for testing, you can usually get results in one or two days. The results can come in two main ways.
| Result | Meaning and what to do next |
|---|---|
| Positive | Meaning: You have chlamydia bacteria in your body. You have an infection. What to do:
|
| Negative | Meaning: Chlamydia bacteria were not found in the sample tested. What to do:
|
Very important: While you are waiting for your test results, and if you are confirmed to have an infection , abstain from sex completely until you have completed treatment and your doctor says it is safe to have sex again. This is very important to protect yourself, your partner, and society.
After treatment, your doctor may recommend that you be tested again in about 3 months to make sure the infection is completely gone.
Take-Home Message
- Chlamydia is a common, but often asymptomatic, sexually transmitted infection.
- If you are sexually active, especially under the age of 25, it is safest to get tested regularly .
- If left untreated, serious long-term problems such as infertility can occur.
- The test is very simple. It can be done with a urine sample or a swab sample.
- If you are confirmed to have the infection, you and your partner should definitely seek treatment.
- The best way to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases is to practice safe sex (e.g., using condoms).
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