STD Testing Blog

Archive for the ‘Chlamydia’ Category

A doctor’s guide to understanding chlamydia

Monday, November 7th, 2011

How early detection and treatment reduce the risk of complications

by Medical Director Lisa Oldson, MD

Did you know that as recently as 5 to 10 years ago, I tested patients for chlamydia by inserting a long, thin Q-Tip into the penis for men, and into the cervix for women? For most men, that exam was seriously painful…and it was definitely uncomfortable for women, too.

Chlamydia testing has come a long way since then, and now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend annual chlamydia screenings for all sexually active adolescents and women age 25 and under. Why? Because, in the United States, there are approximately 2.8 million new chlamydia infections every year, most often diagnosed in young women and women of color.

Most patients have no symptoms with a chlamydia infection…which is why getting tested for chlamydia is so important. Those who do report symptoms of chlamydia infection may experience a discharge from the vagina or penis, burning with urination, pelvic discomfort or bleeding during sex.

Our team of sexual health counselors field questions on a daily basis about the “accuracy” of our tests. They understand that there isn’t a single figure to define accuracy…rather, we define accuracy in terms of sensitivity and specificity.

For example, the chlamydia test we offer is a urine test that’s called the Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT). Recommended by the CDC, this test is extremely specific…which means that, if it says you have chlamydia, you almost certainly have it. The test is 98.5% specific for men and 98.9% specific for women.

Sensitivity of the test is a bit lower, however, meaning that it picks up chlamydia in 94.7% of women and 97.7% of men who are infected. That said, the NAAT is highly effective and there’s no better, non-invasive chlamydia test available today.

If you get tested for chlamydia and it turns out that you’re positive, I have good news for you: chlamydia is curable.

If a chlamydia infection goes untreated, however, there’s a risk of complications. For example, some women develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a potentially serious infection of the female reproductive system. And, according to the CDC, PID causes up to 10-15% of these women to become infertile.

What about men and chlamydia? Although men are less likely to develop complications, epididymitis (an infection of the tubes that carry sperm from the testes) or prostatitis (an infection of the prostate gland) are possible complications from an untreated chlamydia infection.

The takeaway? The sooner you get tested for chlamydia ⎼ and treated, if necessary ⎼ the better. Do you know your STD status? If not, perhaps you’ll allow me to lead you through this quick and easy STD Test Recommender to help you decide if testing for chlamydia or other STDs makes sense for you.

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Posted in Chlamydia, STD Testing | 1 Comment »

“STD” is not an STD

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

BY ADRIENNE DeLUNA

Caller: “Hello, I’d like to get tested for STD.”

Counselor: “Great! What would you like to get tested for?”

Caller: “STD.”

Counselor: “Well, there are many STDs you can get tested for. Were you concerned about something in particular or would you like to get tested for the 8 most common STDs?”

Caller: “There are more than one!?”

Seriously.  This is what happens when we don’t have widespread support for sex education in public schools.  We live in such a highly sexualized culture but, as a nation, our sexual health literacy is very low.  If parents aren’t teaching their children about general safe sex practice and infectious disease and our teachers aren’t teaching about preventative care, it’s no wonder we get basic questions like this on a daily basis.  What is an STD?  Why are they sometimes called STIs?  What’s safer sex?  Do I really need to get tested?  Doesn’t my doctor test me?

Unfortunately, no, your doctor is probably not testing you for STDs.  And, no, STD is not an STD.  When you have unprotected oral, vagina, or anal sex, you are putting yourself and others at risk for becoming infected with a variety of sexually transmitted diseases or STDs.

Caller: “I’m interested in getting tested for all STDs. What is in your panel?”

Counselor: “Our 8 Test Panel includes testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Herpes, HIV, and Syphilis.

Caller: “Well, I won’t need the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea tests, because I am a man, right?”

Sigh.  Chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial infections that occur in both men and women. In fact, chlamydia and gonorrhea  are among the most common STDs by and large because they can be present without any obvious signs or symptoms.  People don’t know they are infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea and unknowingly pass the infection to their partner.

Caller: “I need to get tested for HIV/AIDS.”

Counselor: “Just HIV, or all STDs?”

Caller: “I thought the HIV test covered all STDs?”

Look — getting tested is the most important thing you can do at the beginning of a new relationship (or after!) to protect your health and the health of your partner. Get tested for all STDs so you know the complete status of your sexual health. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you aren’t sure what you need to test for. That is what we are here for – and we’ve heard it all!

Posted in Chlamydia, HIV, STD Testing, STD awareness, gonorrhea, herpes, safe sex | Add Your Comment »

You Asked, We Answered

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

BY GERALD PALMER

Our phones ring off the hook with questions about sexual health.  And we’re happy to answer.  Wonder about some of the most frequently asked questions?  Wonder no more.  This post is devoted to giving you the answers you’re looking for.  (We’ll write a post about the rarely asked questions later.  Those are good.)  Please remember, if you have a question, call us at (888) 215-9543 to speak with a counselor.  That’s what we’re here for.

Q: Can I be positive if I’ve never had symptoms?

A: Yes, you may be positive even if you aren’t having any symptoms.  For example, women rarely experience symptoms of chlamydia.  And most people who have genital herpes aren’t even aware they have it.

Q: What if we only had sex for a few seconds? Can I get anything?

A: Yes, sexually transmitted infections can spread through oral, vaginal or anal sex.  And, even if there was no actual penetration, STDs can spread through skin to skin contact, like genital herpes.   This can happen no matter how long the exposure lasts…even a few seconds.

Q: My roommate/friend just got diagnosed with herpes. Is it safe to use the same towel/cup/silverware?

A:  Herpes does not stay alive on objects.  It’s a fragile virus without a host.  So you can’t get herpes from sharing towels and cups.

Q: Can I get an STD from oral sex?

A: Flat out, yes. You can get an STD from giving or receiving oral sex. It’s a relatively lower risk activity for some of the infections, but we don’t see the point in detailing the relative risk level for each STD. Why take the chance at all? If you think it’s a small risk, it’s still a risk, right?

Q: Why can’t I get a prescription if I already know that I’m positive?

A: Here at STD Test Express, we care about your health, and part of that care requires a documented positive result before treatment. This way we can ensure that you are getting the appropriate treatment for the infection.

Q: Do you know where I can get treatment without testing?

A: If your partner has tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, there is a clinical practice called Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT).  Our doctors require positive test results before treatment, but your physician or partner’s physician may choose to treat without testing under EPT. Remember, treatment is only effective if both partners are treated and then re-tested to ensure that the infection has been cured/managed before resuming sexual activity.

And the #1 most asked question:

Q: How long should I wait to get tested?

A: This will vary from person to person – because all of the STDs have different testing windows.  Our doctors recommend testing at 3 weeks after exposure and then getting tested again at 3 months to confirm your results.

Now, we have a question for you.  If you are concerned you may have been exposed to an STD or simply want to know your status, what are you waiting for?  Don’t take a chance – get tested regularly, know your status, protect yourself and your partners.

Posted in Chlamydia, Oral Sex, STD Testing, Timing, herpes, safe sex | Add Your Comment »

How to Get Tested for Chlamydia

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

BY MICHELLE SOBEL

First time getting tested? Or is it your first time in a long time? Either way, most of us equate getting an STD test with hassle, stress, and yes.. swabbing. But we’re here to tell you that getting a chlamydia, a gonorrhea test, or any STD test is much easier than it used to be.  With new amplification test technology, the days of painful swabbing are (thankfully) over.  Nucleic acid amplification tests are done on urine samples, yielding better sensitivity and specificity and fewer false negatives than the old invasive methods.  What does this mean?  It means that you pee in a cup and you’re done.

So, why aren’t more people getting tested?  The answer turns out to be plain embarrassment and false assumptions.  That’s the conclusion researchers at The University of Wisconsin have drawn based on a recent study of more than 300 women ages 18 to 24.  Despite their high education level, this group had some misconceptions and misplaced fears about chlamydia tests and other STD testing.  Here’s some of the findings:

  • 60% of the women were anxious about getting tested.
  • 30% thought that chlamydia and gonorrhea could be diagnosed only through a physical exam.
  • 30% were worried that their STD test would show up on their medical record.
  • 60% thought that their doctor wouldn’t test them if they said they used condoms.

Other women surveyed just assumed that they were being tested by their doctor without asking for a test or being informed that they were being tested for an STD.  But, no, STD testing doesn’t just happen.  Despite the CDC guideline recommendations that all sexually active women under 25 get tested for chlamydia once a year and women who are older get tested if they have new or multiple partners, doctors and clinic practices vary.  Unfortunately, infection rates are rising and going undiagnosed.  That’s why we’re here.

We’re here to help you get tested for chlamydia with easy urine-based amplification testing.  You can get tested today and get your results in 2 to 3 days.  And if you test positive, no worries.  You can speak to one of our doctors.  If necessary the physician can call in a prescription for an oral antibiotic.  Yes, it’s that easy.  Thanks for reading and for getting tested.  We wish you the best of health.

Posted in Chlamydia, STD Myths | 4 Comments »