Chlamydia
Examinations and Tests
A health professional diagnoses chlamydia using a medical history, a physical examination, and tests. During the medical history, your health professional may ask you questions such as:
- Do you think you were exposed to any sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? How do you know? Did your partner tell you?
- What are your symptoms?
- Do you have discharge? If you have discharge from the vagina or penis, it is important to note any smell or colour.
- Do you have sores in the genital area or anywhere else on your body?
- Do you have any urinary symptoms, including frequent urination, burning or stinging with urination, or urinating in small amounts?
- Do you have any abdominal or pelvic pain or cramping during intercourse?
- Do you have bleeding between your periods, or after intercourse?
- What method of birth control do you use? Do you use condoms to protect against STIs?
- Which high-risk sexual behaviours do you or your partner engage in?
- Have you had an STI in the past? How was it treated?
After the medical history is taken:
- A woman may have a gynecological examination.
- A man may have a genital examination for urethritis and epididymitis.
- You may have a urine test for chlamydia as well.
Several types of tests can be used to diagnose a chlamydia infection. Test results are usually done in 2 to 3 days, except for the chlamydia culture. It can take 5 to 7 days.
Other infections can occur along with a chlamydia infection. Your health professional may recommend testing for:
- Gonorrhea.
- Syphilis.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS.
- Bacterial vaginosis, a condition caused by a change in the normal bacteria in the vagina.
If you have chlamydia, your health professional will send a report to the provincial or territorial health department. Your personal information is kept confidential. The health department may contact you about telling your sex partner or partners that they may need treatment.
Early Detection
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recommends screening every year for sexually active women up to age 25. Women and men of any age who have high-risk sexual behaviours also should be screened every year.4 You may have a urine test for chlamydia even if you do not have a full pelvic or genital examination.
The PHAC recommends tests for pregnant women with high-risk sexual behaviours so they do not spread chlamydia to their babies. All pregnant women should be screened during their first prenatal visit. If a pregnant woman is at high risk for chlamydia, she may be tested again during her third trimester.
The PHAC also recommends you have the test again 6 months after you finish treatment. Women may get chlamydia again if they have sex with the same partner or partners.
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| Author: | Douglas Dana Sabra L. Katz-Wise Ralph Poore | Last Updated: March 9, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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