Chlamydia and Gonorrhea STD Tests

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are the two most common STDs/STIs. Chlamydia is one of the fastest spreading sexually transmitted disease/infection in the world. There are at least 1 million cases in the United States alone with many more undiagnosed. People who are infected with Chlamydia are more likely to contract other STDs. Chlamydia (chlamydiaceae. C. trachomatis) is transmitted through oral, vaginal, or anal sex and can be passed to a newborn baby through an infected mother during vaginal childbirth. Chlamydia generally has no symptoms, so those infected pass it long unknowingly. In fact 75% of women and 50% of men have no noticeable symptoms.

Gonorrhea (Neustria gonorrhoeae) is a common STD/STI with more than 700,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. It is one of the most well-known STDs/STIs and is often associated with Chlamydia. Gonorrhea and chlamydia both can cause pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancies occur when the fertilized egg attaches to the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus. This is fatal for the fetus and can be fatal or life-threatening for the mother.

Chlamydia can cause permanent damage leading to infertility. It can also cause blindness and serious problems in the reproductive systems with short-term and long-term effects. Women and men are affected in different ways.

HIV ALERT - people with Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are more susceptible to contracting HIV and are more infectious if they already have HIV.

Risks

Women:

• Infertility - Chlamydia can form scar tissue in the fallopian tubes causing infertility.
• Ectopic pregnancy - Chlamydia increases the risk of a fertilized egg implanting in the fallopian tubes instead of the womb. This is fatal to the developing fetus and extremely dangerous and possibly fatal to the mother.
• Blindness - Chlamydia can be passed unknowingly from an infected mother to her baby causing severe eye infections and blindness.           

Men:

• Nongonnococcal urethritis (NGU) - this is an infection of the urethra that can cause pain while passing urine.  The urethra is the tube through which urine is passed.
• Epididymitis - Chlamydia can cause an infection of the epididymitis which is the tube that transports sperm from the testes.

Proctitis - Chlamydia can cause inflammation of the rectum.

Symptoms

It hurts when I pee!
Although Chlamydia is famous for keeping a low profile, occasionally, symptoms do occur.  Painful urination is possible in both men and women and is one of the common reasons infected persons seek medical intervention. Fortunately, when detected early, Chlamydia is easily treated.

Chlamydia Symptoms in Women

• Pain during sex
• Painful urination
• Bleeding between periods
• Painful periods
• Vaginal discharge that may have an odor
• Abdominal pain with fever
• Itching or burning in or around the vagina

Chlamydia Symptoms in Men

• Painful urination
• Swelling and pain of the testicles
• Clear or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis
• Itching and burning around the opening of the penis

Risks

Gonorrhea can cause permanent damage leading to infertility. It can also cause serious problems in the reproductive systems with short-term and long-term effects. Pregnant women infected with gonorrhea may pass the infection on to their babies during normal vaginal delivery. Gonorrhea can cause blindness, joint diseases or a life threatening blood infection in babies. Early detection can give babies and mothers the best chance for treatment options and can protect babies from contracting the infection.

HIV ALERT - people with Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are more susceptible to contracting HIV and are more infectious if they already have HIV.

Symptoms

Like many STDs and STIs, gonorrhea often doesn't have any clear signs or symptoms. Those that do show up are often mistaken for other infections. However, while some people do not have any visible signs or symptoms, some do.
Both males and females may experience rectal infections with symptoms that may include itching, bleeding or soreness around the anus, discharge from the rectum, rectal bleeding and painful bowel movements.

Gonorrhea symptoms in women

• Burning sensation or pain during urination
• Increased vaginal discharge
• Bleeding between periods.

Gonorrhea symptoms in men

• Burning during urination (as early as 2-5 days after infection, sometimes as long as 30 days after infection.)
• Swollen or painful testicles
• White, yellow or green discharge from the tip of the penis

• http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/guide/chlamydia
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlamydia_infection
• http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/gonorrhea/glance.html
• http://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm
• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chlamydia/DS00173
• http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/gonorrhea/glance.html
• http://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm