How is Chlamydia diagnosed and what are the symptoms?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia Trachomatis. It infects the reproductive tract and may lead to possible inflammations of the abdominal organs. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease with an incidence of 2 million cases per year. Chlamydia is transmitted through intimate sexual intercourse.

People with multiple sexual partners are often at risk for acquiring Chlamydia. In addition, young adults and adolescents are also at risk because of being more sexually active and have more unsafe sexual practices.

The symptoms of Chlamydia are similar to gonorrhoea, which include presence of mucopurulent vaginal discharge, pain during intercourse, painful urination, abdominal pain and penile or testicular pain in men. Additional Chlamydia symptoms would be fever, body malaise, whitish discharge from the rectum, edema of the cervix in women, inflammation of the fallopian tubes and testicles.

Due to these, Chlamydia also poses risk for developing infertility both in men and women. To prevent this, it is essential to diagnose Chlamydia early to institute measures before it can affect the fallopian tubes and testes.

Diagnosing Chlamydia

Chlamydia tests are done to arrive with a definite diagnosis. Simple Chlamydia testing involves the collection of sample discharges from the vagina, cervix, rectum or urethra for culture purposes. This Chlamydia test is done to determine the causative microorganism that is present on the discharges. In addition, Chlamydia screening also involves blood tests for identifying monoclonal antibodies for Chlamydia trachomatis. DNA probe test may also be done. More conventional and painless Chlamydia screening involves collection of urine samples and sending it for testing. A Home Testing Kit for Chlamydia is also available for a more convenient approach and eliminates social stigma from going to clinics for testing.

Chlamydia should be detected to prevent complications such as infertility in men and women. Infertility results from inflammation of the fallopian tubes and testes. When the fallopian tubes are inflamed, it leads to the stenosis or narrowing of the passage preventing the meeting of the sperm cells and the ovum in the fallopian tubes. Inflammation of the testes also reduces sperm cell production.

If you’re worried about Chlamydia please contact Better2Know on the number above, to book your confidential appointment for a Chlamydia Test today.