Gonorrhea and Chlamydia

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Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test $88.57
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What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

Women

Many women infected with gonorrhea have no symptoms. If symptoms occur, they appear 2 to 10 days after exposure to the disease. Symptoms of gonorrhea include:

thick, creamy, yellow vaginal discharge
burning or pain when you urinate
bleeding or spotting between periods
menstrual periods that are heavier than usual
abdominal pain
pain during sex
fever.

Men

If symptoms occur, they usually appear 2 to 10 days after you were exposed to the bacteria. Symptoms of gonorrhea include:

thick, yellow discharge (drip) from the penis
burning or pain when you urinate
urge to urinate often.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

Women

Possible symptoms include:

abnormal vaginal discharge
mild pain or discomfort when you urinate
menstrual periods that are heavier than usual
more painful periods
abdominal pain
spotting between periods or after sex.

Often there are no symptoms, especially early in the infection.

Men

Often there are no symptoms. If your urethra is infected, you may have:

discharge from the end of the penis
discomfort when you urinate.

Chlamydia may also infect the epididymis or prostate gland. The epididymis is a small organ attached to the testicle. It is important in sperm production. The prostate is a gland at the base of the penis. It produces nutrients for sperm. Infection of the epididymis is called epididymitis. Prostate infection is called prostatitis.

Infection of the epididymis causes pain in the testicle.

Possible symptoms of prostate infection are:

discharge from the urethra
discomfort when or after you urinate
pain during or after intercourse
lower back pain.

Sometimes infections of the prostate or epididymis are sudden and severe. These infections may cause fever or other symptoms of illness. They require prompt medical attention.

The anus and rectum may also be infected if you have anal intercourse.

Possible symptoms of anal infections are:

irritation around the anus
pain when you have a bowel movement.

What are gonorrhea and chlamydia tests?

These tests check for 2 sexually transmitted diseases: gonorrhea and chlamydia. Your provider may swab an infected area for tests or may test a sample of urine.

Why are these tests done?

These tests are done to see if you have gonorrhea or chlamydial infection. These serious infections may not cause any symptoms at first. Later, if they are not treated, they can cause pain and serious health problems, such as arthritis and infertility.

How do I prepare for the test?

Women do not need to do anything to prepare for this test.
If you are a man and a sample is being taken from your penis, do not urinate for 3 to 4 hours before the test.

How is the test done?

Your health care provider uses a swab to collect secretions from the infected area. The most commonly checked areas are the penis and a woman's cervix. If you have had anal intercourse or if you are having symptoms around the anus, a swab of that area will be done also. Because gonorrhea can infect the throat after oral sex, a throat swab of the tonsils may be done.

Newborn babies can get chlamydia from their mothers during birth. It can cause an eye infection. To test for chlamydia in a newborn, a swab is carefully taken from discharge in the corner of the eye.

Samples collected with the swab are sent to the lab. The lab tries to grow gonorrhea and chlamydia organisms to see if they are in the samples. The lab runs special tests to check the type of bacteria that may be growing from the samples. This type of test is called a culture.

Faster but sometimes more expensive tests for chlamydia use antibody tests of swab samples. Results of these tests may be available in a couple of days rather than the 3 or more days needed for cultures.

The newest antibody test is done with a urine sample rather than swabs. It can check for gonorrhea and chlamydia. It is not available at all clinics and hospitals and is often the most expensive of these tests.

How will I get the test result?

Ask your health care provider when and how you will get the result of your test.

What do the test results mean?

A positive test result means that chlamydia or gonorrhea bacteria are present and you have an infection. Sometimes you may have both types of infection. If you have a positive result, your health care provider will prescribe treatment with antibiotics.

State laws often require that health care providers report the names of people who have these infections to the health department. This allows the state health department to monitor for outbreaks and for infections that are becoming resistant to the usual antibiotics.

What if my test result is not normal?

Test results are only one part of a larger picture that takes into account your medical history and current health. Sometimes a test needs to be repeated to check the first result. Talk to your heath care provider about your result and ask questions.

If your test result is positive, ask your health care provider:

If you need additional tests
Any questions you have about your treatment
When you need to be tested again
When it is safe to have sex again
How to protect yourself against reinfection.

If you have a positive test result, you should tell your sexual partner. Follow your health care provider's advice about when it is safe to start having sex again. Use latex or polyurethane condoms every time you have sex to prevent another infection.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test $88.57
Our Ultimate STD Panel also includes the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test:
Ultimate STD Panel $-183.00