How Long until Chlamydia is Detected

Chlamydia is one of the infections transmitted to healthy persons via sexual intercourse with an infected person. As an STI, it can be contracted via vaginal, anal, or oral sex.This disease is very common, and each year, millions of new cases are reported.

Since it is a bacteria infection, antibiotics and the use of protection during sex can treat it.Most chlamydia-infected persons are asymptomatic (do not show any symptoms) from 1 to 3 or several months after exposure to the bacteria.

But what's the duration before Chlamydia can be detected in a test? Is this window period different for men and women? What do you do when symptoms show up? These and more questions will be answered here. Keep reading.

How long until Chlamydia is diagnosed in a test?

This comes down to the type of test carried out and your personal health insurance cover. Your doctor can test for Chlamydia in different ways:

• Urine test: Your urine sample will be collected in a cup and taken to a lab for testing. If the bacteria is present, the result will appear within 2 to 5 days. It could be a positive or negative result.
• Blood test: A sample of your blood will be drawn and tested in a lab (on-site or off-site) to see whether antibodies to the bacteria are present. Your result can come out in a few minutes if the test is done where the sample is taken. But it can take 1 week or more if analysed in a lab outside the clinic.
• Swab: Using a clean cotton bud or stick, a tissue or fluid sample will be taken for culture in a laboratory to study what kind of bacteria grows from it. Results take 2 to 3 days to show up.

Visit here if you need to be tested for Chlamydia.

How long until Chlamydia is detected in women?

Symptoms of this bacterial infection can take 1 to 3 weeks or a couple of months to show up in women. The reason is that bacteria microbes are living organisms that have an incubation period. This determines how much time it will take for them to come together and cause infection.

So, what determines the incubation period?

• The amount of bacteria you contracted
• The body part from which the bacteria passed through. It could be your anus, throat, or genitals
• The reproductive strength of the bacteria. It can be slow or fast
• Your level of immunity to the bacteria.

How long until Chlamydia is diagnosed in men?

There is no major time difference in when this STI shows up in women and when it does in men.

The only difference is linked to the frequency of symptoms in appearance.Research shows that 90% of women never have physical symptoms, while 70% of men never experience any symptoms.

Bear in mind that there's no clear link between your sex and when symptoms show up.

How long until Chlamydia is spotted in the throat?

When you have oral sex with a chlamydia-infected partner, symptoms may show up in your throat. It's rare to notice symptoms in the throat though it may be seen after I week, several months or more.

Testing for Chlamydia isn't done in the throat since it's rarely infected. Should you believe you've been exposed via oral sex, request for a throat swab or other type of testing from your doctor.

Symptoms of Chlamydia in men

• Painful urination
• An unusual clear or musky penile discharge
• Abnormal itching or burning sensation in the urethra
• Discomfort in the testes
• Swelling around the testes due to epididymitis

Symptoms of Chlamydia in women

• Painful urination
• An unusual clear or musky vaginal discharge
• Abdominal pain or pain around the hips
• Pain or discomfort during sexual activity
• Bleeding post sexual intercourse
• Abnormal bleeding when it's not yet time for your menstruation
• Pain around the anus or rectum

Treatment for chlamydia

You can treat Chlamydia. An effective method is with a doctor-prescribed dose of antibiotics.One of the following may be prescribed by your doctor to help treat Chlamydia:

• Azithromycin (Zithromax). Also referred to as a Z-Pak, one big dose of this antibiotic is typically taken
• Doxycycline (Oracea). The dosage for this antibiotic is usually twice daily for 1 week.
• Erythromycin (Erygel). The dosage for this antibiotic is 4 pills a day for 1 week.
• Levofloxacin (Levaquin). This antibiotic is taken one time a dayfor 1 week.
• Ofloxacin (Floxin). This antibiotic is taken 2 times a day for 1 week.

Take your dosage religiously. It may take 2 weeks for the antibiotics to kick in and clear the infection. Failure to take the entire dose might make the antibiotics not to work. It can also cause bacteria resistance and difficulty in treatment.

Avoid sex until your treatment is complete and you're certified chlamydia-free by the doctor. This will prevent transmission. Protected sex can spread infectious bacteria.

At-home remedies for Chlamydia

To alleviate the pain and discomfort you may feel during the course of your treatment, you can take the following at home:

• Pain medications, like ibuprofen (Advil) to limit pain
• Cold pack to reduce swelling and inflammation
• Goldenseal to lower inflammation and lessen symptoms
• Echinacea to increase your immunity against the infection and lower symptoms
• Turmeric to lower  inflammation and lessen symptoms

Take these supplements cautiously. These remedies are only applicable when you're on antibiotics or plan to see a doctor.
Conclusion

It's easy to treat Chlamydia and less severe if treated early. Patients may be asymptomatic, but treatment is important to keep infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and other complications at bay.

Practice safe sex always. Visit the Sexual Health Clinic in London area for regular STI screening if you are not in a monogamous relationship or your partner isn't.