Have you used a home testing kit for a medical diagnosis?

COVID-19 RATs are an example of these types of tests but we are interested in the many others on the market.

The University of Wollongong is conducting a small study about them and we'd like to hear from you if you have used one or considered using one.

Simply complete a short survey at:
https://uow.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eeodpzn8lgSsAbI

From here, we may invite you to take part in a paid interview.

For more information, contact Dr Patti Shih: pshih@uow.edu.au
 

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At a glance

Also known as

Chlamydia

Why get tested?

To screen for or diagnose chlamydia infection

When to get tested?

If you are sexually active, pregnant, have one or more risk factors for developing chlamydia, or have symptoms, such as vaginal discharge and abdominal pain (for women) or unusual discharge from the penis or pain on urination (for men)

Sample required?

A swab or brush of cells or secretion from the infected area; urine (male or female) for the molecular test

Test preparation needed?

None
 

What is being tested?

The test is looking for evidence of infection by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Australia. Diagnosing and treating chlamydia is very important to prevent long-term complications and spread of the infection to others.

Chlamydia is generally transmitted through sexual contact (oral, vaginal or anal) with an infected partner. Young, sexually active people are particularly at risk, with 80% of reported cases in 15-29 year olds. Other risk factors include having multiple sex partners, coinfection or previous infection with another STI, and not using barrier contraception consistently. An infected mother can spread the disease to her baby during childbirth. These babies are in danger of developing pneumonia (a lung infection) or conjunctivitis, an inflammation that can threaten eyesight.

About 70-80 per cent of infected women and half of infected men have no symptoms; some may experience only mild symptoms. For women, symptoms, if they occur, include bleeding between menstrual periods and after sexual intercourse, abdominal pain, painful intercourse and an abnormal vaginal discharge. For men, symptoms include pus or milky discharge from the penis and inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) or of the rectal area (proctitis). Both sexes can experience painful or frequent urination.

Chlamydia is treated with a course of antibiotics, but can cause severe reproductive and other health problems if left untreated. If untreated, around one third of women may develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) from infections that start on the cervix but that can spread to the fallopian tubes and ovaries. This can cause infertility and increase the risk of potentially life-threatening tubal (ectopic) pregnancy. Women who are infected and pregnant may experience heavy bleeding before delivery and premature rupture of the membranes. Men, too, may become sterile. Both sexes may develop rectal itching or red, swollen, itchy eyes.

How is the sample collected for testing?

Generally, your doctor will use a swab to take a cell sample or secretion from the infected area, such as the cervix, urethra, penis, anus or throat. Alternately your doctor may advise you to collect the very first portion of urine for testing.

Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample?

No test preparation is needed.
 

The Test

How is it used?

The test is used in two ways:

  1. to diagnose the cause of symptoms, and
  2. to screen sexually active people for the bacterium.

A definitive diagnosis is important because chlamydia can resemble gonorrhoea, and the two infections require different antibiotic treatment.

Nucleic acid amplification based techniques - e.g. polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ligase chain reaction (LCR) are the most commonly used. They are sensitive, quick and less affected by delays in the transportation of specimens to a laboratory.

When is it requested?

A doctor may request the test if you have symptoms such as vaginal discharge and abdominal pain (for women) or unusual discharge from the penis or pain on urination (for men). However, about 70-80% of infected women and 50% of infected men show no active symptoms. Risk factors for chlamydia infection include age under 30 years, having new or multiple sex partners, having sex with someone who has other partners and not using barrier contraceptives, such as condoms. You may wish, or your doctor may suggest, that you be screened for the infection if you have any these risk factors.

What does the test result mean?

A positive test indicates an active infection that requires treatment with a course of antibiotics.

Is there anything else I should know?

Chlamydia is often called ‘the silent epidemic’ because infections are so prevalent yet many people do not know that they are infected. Chlamydia is especially widespread among young people under the age of 30.

Chlamydia is easily treated, but if left untreated, it can cause severe reproductive and other health problems. If you are infected, your sexual partner(s) should also be tested and treated as well.

People who are infected have a higher risk of developing other sexually transmitted diseases, including a 2 to 5 times greater risk of acquiring HIV if exposed to it.

The diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease should not be ruled out if the test is negative; patients' clinical symptoms and history should also be considered.

Common Questions

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

Most infected people have no symptoms, so they do not seek treatment. For women, symptoms (if they occur) include bleeding between menstrual periods and after sexual intercourse, abdominal pain, painful intercourse and an abnormal vaginal discharge. For men, symptoms include pus or milky discharge from the penis. Both sexes can experience painful or frequent urination.

What will happen if I don’t get treated?

If left untreated, women may develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) from lesions that start on the cervix but that can spread to the fallopian tubes and ovaries. This can cause infertility and increase the risk of tubal or ectopic pregnancy. Women who are infected and pregnant may experience heavy bleeding before delivery and premature rupture of the membranes. Men, too, may become sterile. Both sexes may develop rectal itching and red, swollen, itchy eyes.

How is chlamydia transmitted?

It is generally transmitted through sexual contact (oral, vaginal or anal) with an infected partner. An infected mother can spread the disease to her baby during childbirth. These babies are in danger of developing conjunctivitis (an inflammation that can threaten eyesight) and pneumonia.

How is it treated?

Chlamydia can be easily treated with a course of antibiotics.

How can it prevented?

Sexually active men and women can reduce their risk of chlamydia by reducing their numbers of partners and by using condoms correctly and consistently during sexual intercourse. Another important prevention strategy is regular testing of sexually active people for symptomatic or asymptomatic infection. Testing is recommended if there are symptoms, once people become sexually active, when they change sexual partners or when they start a new relationship.


Last Review Date: September 18, 2022


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