Chlamydia-Test

What is a Chlamydia Infection?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that should be treated quickly in order to avoid complications. It is caused by bacteria that are usually spread through sexual contact. People with chlamydia often don’t have any outward symptoms. Therefore, if you think you may have been exposed to the disease, you should get tested right away.

Recognizing the Signs of Chlamydia

Many patients do not notice the symptoms of chlamydia. If symptoms do appear, it is usually one to three weeks after you have been infected. Some of the most common symptoms include:
•burning feeling during urination
•discharge from the vagina
•pain in the lower abdomen
•painful sexual intercourse

Your doctor may run tests to find out if the bacteria that cause chlamydia is in your body. A urine test will be taken. You may also have your cervix swabbed instead.

Causes and Risk Factors of Chlamydia Infection

People of all ages and both sexes can get chlamydia. However, having sexual relations with several partners without using protection can greatly increase your chance of getting the disease.

In addition, men and women under the age of 25 tend to have a higher risk of being infected with chlamydia. Women, in particular, also have a higher risk. Additionally, pregnant women can pass the bacteria to their babies when they are born. If you are pregnant the test will be obligatory.

Treating Chlamydia

Since bacteria cause chlamydia, the disease can be treated with antibiotics. Doxycyclin is an antibiotic usually prescribed, while erythromycin is used in pregnancy, it must be taken 7-10 days.

Prevention

One of the most effective ways of avoiding chlamydia infection is by limiting the amount of new sexual partners you have. The more people you have sexual intercourse with, the greater your chances of being exposed to the disease. In addition, during each sexual encounter, you should use a condom.

You should get tested for chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases between each new Partner.

Long-Term Complications and Outlook

If you go see the doctor soon after you suspect you’ve contracted chlamydia, you will likely be able to clear up the infection with no lasting problems. However, if you wait too long to treat it, you may experience serious medical issues.

Some women develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection that can damage the uterus, cervix, and ovaries. This is a painful disease that often requires hospital treatment.

Women can also become infertile if chlamydia is left untreated, since the fallopian tubes may become scarred. Women who do become pregnant while they have chlamydia can pass the bacteria to their babies during birth, which can cause eye.

Source: CDC

For your information:

If you want a greater peace of mind, when you do your PAP-test, please let us know, if you want additional Chlamydia-test.

For privately insured patients (women and men), the Chlamydia-test is generally fully reimbursed, also for women until the age of 25.

Patients with statutory insurance only are given an individual invoice of fees as part of the personalized health Services. Information regarding costs can be obtained from the practice.