How long after taking zithromax will chlamydia go away

How soon after sex can I have a test?

It’s important not to delay going for a test if you think you might have chlamydia. A test can be carried out straight away but you may be advised to have another test two weeks after having sex. You can have a test for chlamydia even if you don’t have any symptoms.

What does a chlamydia test involve?

• If you have a vulva, you may be asked to take a swab around the inside of your vagina yourself.
• A doctor or nurse may take a swab during an internal examination of your vagina and cervix (entrance to the womb).
• You may be asked to provide a urine sample. Before having this test, you’re advised not to pass urine (pee) for 1–2 hours.
• A doctor or nurse may take a swab from the entrance of the urethra (tube where urine comes out).
• If you’ve had anal or oral sex, a doctor or nurse may swab your rectum (back passage) or throat (you may be given the option to do your own tests). These swabs aren’t done routinely on everyone.
• If you have symptoms of conjunctivitis (an eye infection) swabs will be used to collect a sample of discharge from your eye(s).

A swab looks a bit like a cotton bud but is smaller and rounded. It sometimes has a small plastic loop on the end rather than a cotton tip. It’s wiped over the parts of the body that could be infected. This only takes a few seconds and isn’t painful, though it may be uncomfortable for a moment.

Cervical screening (smear tests) and routine blood tests don’t detect chlamydia.

If you’re not sure whether you’ve been tested for chlamydia, just ask.

How accurate are the tests?

The accuracy of a chlamydia test depends on the kind of test used and the type of sample that’s collected. The recommended tests are over 95% accurate in picking up chlamydia. As no test is 100% accurate there’s a small chance that the test will give a negative result when you do have chlamydia. This is known as a false negative result. This can sometimes explain why you might get a different result from another test or why you and a partner might get a different test result.

It’s possible for the test to be positive if you haven’t got chlamydia, but this is rare.

Where can I get a test?

There are a number of services you can go to. Choose the one you feel most comfortable with.

A chlamydia test can be done at:

• a genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual health clinic
• your general practice
• contraception and young people’s clinics
• some pharmacies.

Abortion clinics, antenatal services and some gynaecology services may also offer a chlamydia test.

In England, if you’re a woman aged under 25 years old, you may be offered a chlamydia test as part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) when you visit some service for other reasons, for example at a pharmacy or your GP. 

The NCSP aims to identify people without symptoms to reduce the complications of untreated infection.  If chlamydia is not treated, it can cause health complications, especially in women.  Untreated chlamydia in women can cause pain in the pelvis, ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in the fallopian tubes) and infertility (being unable to have children).

If you are a woman aged under 25 years old and you are offered a chlamydia test as part of the NCSP you should consider taking it. 

In many areas, free home self-sampling tests for chlamydia are available to order online. This is where you take your own sample and send it to be tested. See www.nhs.uk

It’s also possible to buy a chlamydia test to do at home. The accuracy of these tests varies. Some types are very accurate when carried out according to the instructions, others can be less reliable. If you buy a testing kit make sure you get advice from a pharmacist or your doctor.

You can also choose to pay for a chlamydia test at a private clinic.

Will I have to pay for tests?

All tests are free through NHS services and the National Chlamydia Screening Programme. Treatment from these services is also free (see Treatment).

Will I know how long I've had the infection?

A chlamydia test can’t tell you how long the infection’s been there.

If you feel upset or angry about having chlamydia and find it difficult to talk to a partner or friends, don’t be afraid to discuss how you feel with the staff at the clinic or general practice.

Over 2.9 million people get infected with Chlamydia each year and it has become the most widespread sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the world. A characteristic of chlamydia is that it can be asymptomatic. It simply means that chlamydia does not show any symptoms at all, but it is already damaging your internal organs. It can have debilitating effects when left untreated and can lead to infertility.

What is Chlamydia?

Even if chlamydia is a very prevalent STD, it is very easy to treat and cure. When left untreated it can lead to painful consequences and serious health complications like pelvic pain, testicular pain in men, and infertility in both men and women. The condition is caused by a bacteria known as Chlamydia trachomatis. Many people with the disease do not often get any apparent signs and symptoms that they are already infected.

Chlamydia can exist inside the uterus or woman’s womb, cervix, vagina, urethra, rectum, and even at times the eyes and throat of the infected patient. Anyone who is sexually active can have the disease and pass it on easily, even if they do not have a lot of sexual partners.

What causes Chlamydia?

The Chlamydia infection is often caused by bacteria that can be obtained through various sexual activities. The three most common types of Chlamydia bacteria are Chlamydia Suis, Chlamydia Muridarum, and Chlamydia Trachomatis. Chlamydia Suis is the most common of all the species of chlamydia. These bacteria types are unable to exist without their host, so it is very convenient for them to shift from one body to another via the exchange of bodily fluids. There are also transmissions that occur through childbirth as the bacteria passes through the birth canal from the mother to the infant.

What are symptoms of Chlamydia?

Chlamydia can be tough to detect. Oftentimes, the person infected has no idea that they are already infected. The symptoms of Chlamydia can vary depending on the gender of the person infected by the bacteria. In men, they can experience abnormal discharges from their penis accompanied by a really hot or burning sensation when urinating. For women, they can experience abnormal vaginal discharges and a burning sensation when urinating, as well as abdominal pains, and bleeding.

A huge amount of the population are unaware that are already infected with Chlamydia, and so they often leave the disease untreated. When it is left untreated, inflammation around the testicles among men can happen. For females, the inflammation of the female pelvis can lead to infertility.

What are the treatments for Chlamydia?

Treating Chlamydia is something that a person should prioritize and not take for granted. It can lead to other serious medical conditions and these can pose health hazards to themselves and their loved ones. Always treat a Chlamydia infection as early as possible. Antibiotics are used in the treatment of Chlamydia, including Azithromycin, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, Ciprofloxacin and Tetracycline.

Although Chlamydia infection is highly curable, it is still best to avoid catching an infection. Preventing infection can be achieved through complete abstinence from sexual activities of any form. Otherwise, condoms can be used for protection. However, for those who are already infected with Chlamydia, it is highly recommended to seek medical assistance. For those who are sexually active, regular screening for STD is strongly recommended.

Azithromycin is prescribed for 7 to 10 days to treat for Chlamydia infection.

How should I take Azithromycin?

Take Azithromycin as prescribed by your doctor. Take the Azithromycin pills with a glass of water and with meals. Taking the antibiotic with meals prevents upset stomach and vomiting, and the medicine will be easily absorbed by the body. Take it as often as prescribed by your physician. Never take antacids like Maalox, Rolaids, or Tums two hour before or after the taking pills.

Never give out Azithromycin to other people. They may be taking other medicines which have an adverse reaction to the Azithromycin.

What are the side effects of Azithromycin?

Like any other Chlamydia medicine, Azithromycin has its own side effects, but not everyone experiences them. The possible side effects of Azithromycin can include vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, upset stomach, and vaginal yeast infection.

Always consult your doctor before taking Azithromycin to cure a Chlamydia infection.

How do you know if chlamydia is gone after treatment?

Can I still have chlamydia after taking azithromycin?

How long do you take Zithromax for chlamydia?

Does azithromycin cure chlamydia 5 days?