Chlamydia Tests

Chlamydia is caused by a bacterial infection and is the most common sexually transmitted disease, affecting about 1 in 20 people between 15 and 50. Both these tests will look for the presence of the bacteria, chlamydia trachomatis in your urine. It is important to test for chlamydia as the disease doesn't always produce symptoms but left untreated can cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Chlamydia is easily treated with a course of antibiotics.

For more detailed information on chlamydia and possible symptoms click here.

Male or Female Chlamydia Urine Test Zoom Chlamydia Urine Laboratory Test This test is simple to carry out - all that is required is a urine sample, which is then sent for laboratory testing. For full instructions on this test click here. This test is suitable for both men and women. This test should not be carried out if you are pregnant or think you might be and is presently only available to UK customers. Code: CHLAMYD Price: UK£ 2.39 Qty

Female ONLY Chlamydia Wand Test Zoom Chlamydia Wand Test This test is for women only and enables them to test themselves for chlamydia in the privacy of their homes and to find out whether or not they need medical help. For more information on this test click here. This test has currently be removed from sale. Code: CHLAMYDWAND Price: UK£ 2.39 Qty

Chlamydia is passed on during unprotected sexual intercourse, so if you have had unprotected sex you are at risk of being infected. Not everyone with chlamydia will have symptoms but left untreated chlamydia can cause serious problems in later life. Problems that chlamydia can cause include the following:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Ectopic pregnancy.
• Inflammation of the testicles.

Chlamydia Laboratory Test

What does the test involve?

This test is simple, a urine specimen is all that is required. We recommend that you take your urine specimen first thing in the morning and post as soon as possible after collection. The laboratory is closed Sundays and  bank holidays so to minimize the chances of any delay in processing your  sample, we advise that you   collect a urine sample in the morning, Sunday  to Thursday and post it as soon as  possible after collection.

What is included in the test?

• A double pocketed plastic bag containing a press down plastic protection case in case of leakage.
• A urine sample bottle - this can be found inside the press down plastic protection case.
• A prepaid envelope addressed to Clinical Trial Processing, Quest Diagnostics, Unit B1 Parkway West, Cranford Lane, Heston, Middlesex TW5 9QA.
• A coloured plastic seal for the pre—paid envelope.
• Instructions.
• Customer Information Form, this must be returned with your urine sample.
• Contents List

The sample bottle has a number on the side, this is your reference number, this number should also appear on your customer           information form and all numbers should be exactly the same as the one on the instructions.

How to carry out the chlamydia test:

Please make sure you read all these instructions carefully before carrying out the test and follow them exactly. To provide you with a fast service your results can be sent to you in three ways, email, telephone or post. We will not send out any further instructions so you should ensure you keep these safe to help you read your result.

When collecting your urine sample wait until at least two hours have passed since you last passed urine. It is usually easier to collect urine first thing in the morning when your urine is at its most concentrated. This urine is called "early morning first-catch urine", this means when you go to the toilet first thing in the morning you take a sample from the first few drops of urine.

1. Remove all the items from the plastic bag.

2. Take the plastic protection case out of the bag and remove the urine sample bottle.

3. Carefully unscrew the lid from the urine sample bottle. Start to urinate into the bottle, ensuring you catch the first drops of urine which you pass. Continue until the bottle is full to the line on the sample bottle marked 20ml. Once you have collected the     specimen continue to urinate into the toilet.

4. Screw the lid back on to the urine bottle tightly to avoid leakage during transport.

5. If there is any urine on the outside of the bottle wipe off with a tissue.

6. On the bottle there is a label, in the spaces provided ensure you write in your name, date and time of collection. If these details are not on the sample bottle the laboratory will not carry out the test. Make sure the reference number is still on the bottle.

7. Place the urine sample back into the press down plastic case and press firmly around the capsule edges to seal the case.

8. Place the plastic capsule back into the back pocket of the plastic bag.

9. Fill in your details on the customer information form making sure you enter all details clearly.

10. Once the form is completed, place it in the front pocket of the plastic bag and then remove the red adhesive strip from the   plastic bag and press down firmly to seal. You will then need to place the plastic bag into the pre–paid envelope.

11. To seal the envelope you will need to fold over the top of the envelope so that the 2nd and 3rd holes match up. Place the stud on the plastic clip through the holes and then fold over and push down firmly to seal.

12. The envelope is now ready to be posted. Post it as soon as you can (the postage is pre-paid).

Results

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test that your sample will be tested with is one of the most accurate tests available at present. There are 4 possible results that you could get:

PCR NEGATIVE: This means that the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis was not detected in the urine sample you provided. However, it is important to remember that no matter how good a test on rare occasions you can get a negative result, when you do in fact have the infection. If you remain concerned, we recommend that you attend your local GUM (Genito-Urinary Medicine) clinic or consult your doctor. If you have a repeat test done, it may give a different result depending on what specimen and test methods are used.

PCR POSITIVE: This means that you almost certainly have Chlamydia infection and you will need to start treatment with a course of antibiotics as soon as you can. There is the possibility that you could have a positive result when you do not have the infection, but this is very rare with the test methods used. If you receive a positive result we recommend that you attend your local GUM (Genito-Urinary Medicine) clinic or your doctor for treatment.

A GUM clinic will provide you with free, confidential advice and treatment. Most of the clinics have health advisers who regularly experience a wide range of problems and can spend more time with you than a doctor. You can find details of your nearest clinic in the telephone directory or via your local hospital. When phoning up to make an appointment make sure you state if you would prefer to see a male or a female doctor. When you attend your appointment ensure you take your result letter with you, you should then be given antibiotics without the need offurther testing. If you have a repeat test done, it may give a different result depending on what specimen and test methods are used. If you are treated for chlamydia you must make sure that you finish the course of treatment and ensure that your partner(s) is also treated, to avoid getting infected again. During treatment you should avoid sexual intercourse to avoid re-infection.

PCR EQUIVOCAL: This occurs when the laboratory cannot provide a definite result. This can be because other substances in the sample, for example blood in the urine, or certain medications are affecting the result.High levels of the hormone HCG which occurs during pregnancy can also cause equivocal results.
In these cases the safest course of action is to repeat the test on a fresh sample. In the event of a equivocal result a new test will be sent to you automatically. If you do not receive the new test within 7 days then please contact us. Remember, it is always best to collect your urine sample first thing in the morning.

SAMPLE OUT OF PROTOCOL: This means that the sample was more than 4 days old when it arrived in the laboratory for testing. In the event of an out of protocol result a new test will be sent to you automatically. If you do not receive the new test within 7 days then please contact us.
If you do not receive your results within 10 days of posting the sample please contact us by e-mailing:

REMEMBER: If the test is positive be sure to consult your doctor for antibiotics.

If you have any queries regarding this test then please contact us, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm on 01923 711511 or via email chlamydia@homehealth-uk.com .

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