Chlamydia Test
Reviewed
Also called: Chlamydia NAAT or NAT, Chlamydia/GC STD Panel, Chlamydia Culture
A chlamydia test checks a sample of fluid from your body to look for the bacteria that causes chlamydia.
Specimen: Urine or swab from urethra, vagina, rectum, cervix, throat, or eyes
Why this test may be ordered
- To check for a chlamydia infection when you don't have symptoms
- To diagnose or rule out chlamydia when you do have symptoms
- If your sex partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia
- As routine screening for sexually active women under 25, pregnant women, men who have sex with men, and people with HIV
- To test for reinfection three months after treatment
Preparation and collection
Preparations for a chlamydia test depend on the type of sample you will be providing. You may need to avoid antibiotic medicines and vaginal douches and creams for 24 hours before your test. But don't stop taking any medicines without talking with your provider first. Ask your provider if there are any special instructions for your test.
To do a chlamydia test, you will need to provide a sample of fluid from the part of your body that may be infected. For a first-catch urine sample, you'll use a sterile cup to collect urine from the very first part of your urine stream. To get an accurate test result, you will need to avoid urinating for two hours before the test. For a swab sample, your provider will use a special swab or brush to collect cells, usually from your genital area. You should not use an at-home test if you have symptoms of chlamydia or if your partner has chlamydia. In that case, it's important to talk with your provider right away so you don't delay treatment.
There are no known risks to having a chlamydia test.
Understanding results
A chlamydia test helps find the disease early so you can get treatment before you develop lasting health problems or spread the disease to others.
- Negative: A negative test result means that you did not have a chlamydia infection when the sample was collected. Limitation: Chlamydia often has no symptoms, so you may spread the disease to others without even knowing you have it. Next step: It's important to follow all the instructions carefully and discuss your test results with your provider.
- Positive: A positive test result means you have been infected with chlamydia. Limitation: Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics. But if it's not treated, it can cause serious, lasting health problems, even if you don't have symptoms. Next step: If you have chlamydia, you will need to: take antibiotics to treat your infection. Your provider will tell you how to take your medicine. To make sure your infection is cured, follow the instructions carefully and finish all the medicine. Tell your sexual partner/s that you have chlamydia so that they can be tested and treated if necessary.
- A negative result does not completely rule out infection if exposure occurred shortly before testing or if the sample was not collected properly.
- A positive result confirms infection but does not provide information about the duration of infection or potential complications.
- The test cannot distinguish between a new infection and a repeat infection.
- At-home test kits require careful following of instructions; incorrect collection or handling may affect accuracy.
- The test only checks for chlamydia; if you have symptoms of other STIs, separate testing may be needed.
What to do next
Get retested for chlamydia three months after you finish treatment. That's because repeat infections are very common. Ask your provider to tell you how often to get tested after that.
- Should I be tested for chlamydia even if I have no symptoms?
- How long after exposure should I wait to get tested for chlamydia?
- What should I tell my sexual partner(s) if I test positive?
- When should I get retested after finishing treatment?
- Can chlamydia be cured, and will the test show if I am cured after treatment?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.