Chlamydia test

What is chlamydia?

Let's talk chlamydia! Chlamydia is a bacterium that is transmitted via the mucous membranes during sex. An infection can cause inflammation and, if left untreated, can lead to infertility in the long term.

No symptoms, but still transmissible? That's the tricky part. A chlamydia infection often occurs without symptoms or with only very mild symptoms. This is why it is one of the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infections in Germany.

• Chlamydia can colonize the rectum (through anal intercourse)
• Chlamydia can colonize the throat (through oral sex)
• They cause inflammation in the genital tract, urethra and rectum
• Die dadurch hervorgerufene Entzündung der Schleimhaut führt dazu, dass HIV leichter übertragbar wird

Infections often go unnoticed for a long period of time and can spread to the fallopian tubes in women, causing inflammation and infertility. In men, chlamydia can also spread from the urethra to the prostate and epididymis and cause inflammation there.

Anyone who has an active sex life with changing partners should seek advice on regular chlamydia tests.

What are the causes and symptoms of chlamydia?

Causes

Chlamydia is usually transmitted via vaginal and anal sex. The use of shared sex toys can also be a transmission route. Basically, you can always become infected if your mucous membranes come into unprotected contact with the mucous membranes or body fluids of your sexual partner who is infected with chlamydia.

The mucous membranes of these organs can be affected by chlamydia:

• Vagina, fallopian tubes
• Urethra
• Rectum
• Throat

Symptoms

Chlamydia infections often occur without any recognizable symptoms. However, when symptoms do appear, they often manifest themselves as follows:

• Itching and urinary incontinence
• Mucopurulent discharge
• Diarrhea-like symptoms
• Fever
• Heavy menstrual bleeding or intermenstrual bleeding (if infection spreads to the uterus, fallopian tubes and abdominal cavity)
• Pain in the testicles

If transmitted through oral sex, chlamydia can also colonize the throat, but does not cause disease there and usually disappears after a few weeks.

When should you take a chlamydia test?

In order to reliably detect a chlamydia infection, you should wait about 2-3 days (diagnostic window).

If you have an active sex life with changing sexual partners, it is advisable to have a regular chlamydia test - for your own safety and to protect your sexual partners.

How does a chlamydia test work?

The new test method allows the bacteria to be detected just a few days after infection.

There are two reliable ways to detect a chlamydia infection:

• The chlamydia urine test: The first urine sample is used for the urine test
• The chlamydia smear test: The swab is used vaginally, anally or in the throat

If you're not quite sure how to carry out such a test correctly - no problem! We have a special page with instructions on how to take a sample.

What needs to be considered during pregnancy? The chlamydia test is part of normal prenatal care!

How can chlamydia be treated?

Last but not least - how do you get rid of chlamydia? The classic treatment for a chlamydia infection is antibiotics and takes a week.

We also have good news: the earlier the infection is detected, the better - this can prevent long-term consequences.