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Where can I get a rapid chlamydia test?

Posted on September 7, 2024 by AntiTeckLateral Flow

Chlamydia is a symptoms-free test, that affects many people around the world today.  As it isn’t diagnosed among males and females. When not diagnosed and treated timely chlamydia can lead to serious health issues such as PID, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. Luckily, it is possible to get tests for chlamydia and the results of the rapid tests are quick and reliable. This article will assist you in identifying where you can obtain a rapid chlamydia test, how it will be administered, and some of the questions that you may want to ask. 

What does a Rapid Chlamydia Test mean? 

A chlamydia test is a method in which one is capable of identifying the presence of the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria in a short time, from fifteen minutes to several hours. These tests have been instrumental in changing the ways STI testing is done since they provide results faster which means that the clients can be treated to avoid spreading the disease to others. 

Types of Rapid Chlamydia Tests 

There are two primary types of rapid chlamydia tests available: There are two main categories of rapid chlamydia tests that are used: 

Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs):

The following are some of the tests most recommended in diagnosing chlamydia. They work by identifying bacteria DNA in the urine or by samples obtained from the genital areas. In general, most of the NAATs have results that take a few hours up to 24 hrs. 

where-can-i-get-a-rapid-chlamydia-test

Rapid Point-of-Care Tests:

These rapid tests are fast and normally take between fifteen to thirty minutes to give the results. They are not as sensitive as NAATs and this makes them suitable for screening especially when the results are required in the shortest time possible.

Where Can You Take a Rapid Chlamydia Test?

Below are some of the places where you can get a rapid chlamydia test depending on your location and preference.

1. Sexual Health Clinics 

Sexual health clinics mainly deal with testing and treating STIs. Such clinics may offer chlamydia tests at little or no charge and may be able to perform a rapid test. Most of the sexual health clinics are manned by experienced personnel who will help you through the testing procedure and treatment if required. 

2. Doctor’s Office or Primary Care 

It is also possible to complete the rapid chlamydia test in your primary care physician or gynecologist. If you are already in a doctor for a general check-up, you can ask to be tested for chlamydia. Most doctors’ offices have rapid testing kits and can give you the results in the course of the visit or a few hours later. 

3. Urgent Care Centers 

Urgent care centers are clinics that are easily accessible and patients do not need an appointment to see a health care practitioner or a physician. Such centers may provide the services of STI testing and this may include the rapid chlamydia test. Urgent care centers are useful when you do not have an appointment or require testing during off-working hours. 

rapid-plasma-reagin-test

4. Pharmacies and Retail Clinics 

CVS MinuteClinic and Walgreens Healthcare Clinic among others are some of the pharmacies and retail clinics that provide rapid STI tests. These clinics are normally retail outpatient clinics situated in large retail pharmacy chains and do not require a physician’s referral to access them. However, rapid chlamydia tests are not available in all the centers, and therefore, it is advised that one should contact the center to check whether the center offers the tests or not. 

5. Internet Products and Self self-diagnostic kits 

There are now many online health services and many companies provide people with rapid chlamydia home test kits. These kits enable you to take a sample at your home either through urine or a swab and forward it to the laboratory for analysis. Some of them give results within the shortest time possible within a few hours after the lab receives your sample. 

Popular online services offering rapid chlamydia test kits include: Popular online services offering rapid chlamydia test kits include: 

  • Nurx 
  • LetsGetChecked 
  • myLAB Box 
  • EverlyWell 

These companies deliver the products and services discreetly and with the shortest time possible which makes it a suitable option, especially for those who do not have time to visit a clinic. 

rapid-flu-test

6. Planned Parenthood 

The services provided by Planned Parenthood include reproductive health care services such as rapid STI testing. They have testing centers in various states and are cheap and ensure that your test results are kept secret. You can go to a local Planned Parenthood clinic where you can get a chlamydia test and get the results as soon as possible. 

7. Community Health Centers 

Community health centers provide quality healthcare to everyone including those that cannot afford to pay for the services. These centers can include STI testing such as the rapid chlamydia test. If you cannot afford health insurance or have limited funds then a community health center is the place where you can go for the tests.

How Does the Rapid Chlamydia Test Work? 

The rapid chlamydia test is easy and does not require the patients to be undressed or uncomfortable in any way. Depending on the type of the test you are to be required to provide a urine sample or a swab of the affected part including the cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat. The sample is then tested for the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. If the test is positive, you will be recommended to commence treatment and this is usually done through the use of antibiotics like azithromycin or doxycycline. 

What to Expect During the Test 

The following are the things that one is likely to encounter during the test: 

  • Preparing for the Test: You don’t need any special preparations for a rapid chlamydia test but some clinics may require you to avoid going for a wee for at least an hour if you are going to provide a urine sample. 
  • During the Test: For urine tests, you’ll need to give a small amount of the urine in a sterile container. For swab tests, a sample is taken from the affected area using a cotton wool stick by a qualified healthcare provider. 
  • Results: While the point-of-care tests give results within minutes, the laboratory-based NAATs may take a few hours or one day.
  • Treatment: If the doctor tests you and the results are positive, then you will be given antibiotics. Symptoms may improve even if the antibiotic course is not finished and thus it is necessary to complete the course. In addition, you should also tell other sexual partners as they also will need to be tested and treated. 
rapid-strep-test-walgreens

Conclusion 

You must take a chlamydia test since it is the first step in safeguarding your sexual health. There are many ways to get tested - with everything from sexual health clinics and doctors’ offices to online test kits - you can pick what works best for you. Another benefit of rapid testing is that it provides a quick turnaround time thus enabling early treatment if the results are positive. 

FAQ’s

Q1. How Effective Is A Rapid Chlamydia Test? 

Yes, there are rapid chlamydia tests and the most accurate among them are nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). NAATs are regarded as the most ideal methods for chlamydia testing and these methods are at least 95% accurate. While some of the point-of-care tests may not be as accurate as the laboratory tests, they are quite useful in screening for infections. You should consult a healthcare provider after you get confirmation and treatment for the virus.  

Q2. Is it Possible to Take a Chlamydia Test Even If I Have No Signs? 

Yes, you can. Chlamydia is normally a silent infection, this means that many people who are infected may not even know they have the infection. 

Q3. When should one go for a Chlamydia test? 

However, people who are involved with several partners, and those who are more vulnerable to infections might require to be tested more often. Consult your doctor to know the proper time for the test to be conducted. 

ANTITECK provide uncut sheet rapid test for rapid test kit manufacturing, contact us for more information via [email protected]

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