Catch the Answers

The Test

If your child is sexually active, or even if they aren’t, encouraging them to get tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other STDs is a smart and safe way to give them (and you) peace of mind, as well as to prevent the spread of sexual infections. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be diagnosed by testing urine or swab specimens collected from the site(s) of the body at risk for infection. When being tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea, individuals should talk to the health care professional about the areas at risk for infection so that proper tests are performed for more accurate results. A urine test will not detect a vaginal, cervical, anal, or pharyngeal (throat) infection; therefore, patients must ask for what they need. In most cases, swab specimens are collected with little to no discomfort for the patient.  

Confidential testing is provided by private physicians and is available at most local health departments in Utah; samples are then sent to laboratories for processing. If a person is diagnosed with chlamydia and/or gonorrhea they should also get tested for other STDs; one urine sample or swab specimen can be tested for both chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Test results are usually available within seven to ten days; depending upon when the sample was sent and when it arrived at the laboratory. Individuals should call their health care professional if symptoms appear or worsen during that time period. Treatment can be started before the test confirms a chlamydia and/or gonorrhea infection if the health care provider believes it is appropriate.  

Both men and women should see a health care professional if a partner has a sexually transmitted disease or symptoms that might be a sexually transmitted disease.

Screening for Women:
Women can provide a urine sample to be tested for a urethral (urine canal) infection of chlamydia and/or gonorrhea, but a urine test only detects urethral infections. Women who have only a vaginal, cervical, anal, or pharyngeal (throat) infection will receive a negative urine test result. Urine must pass over the site of infection in order for bacteria to be detectable in the specimen and give a positive test result; it does not pass over the vagina during urination. 

Swab specimens can be collected from the vagina, cervix, anus, and pharynx (throat) of women. Swabbing areas of the body at risk for infection provides more comprehensive results, especially for women, since they have more areas anatomically at risk. Sexually active women should ask their health care provider to screen for STDs at the time of their annual pap smear exams. All sexually active women are encouraged to get tested, including those who are pregnant. All pregnant women should be screened for STDs at their first prenatal visit. 

Women should be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea at least once a year if:

• 25 or younger and sexually active
• Older than 25 and having sex with more than one partner
• Older than 25 and have a new sex partner
• Pregnant

Screening for Men:

Men can provide a urine sample to be tested for a urethral infection of chlamydia and/or gonorrhea. In men the urethra serves as the passageway for both urinary and reproductive tracts; therefore, a urine test is adequate when the urethra is the only site at risk for infection. Receiving a negative urine test result simply means that there is no chlamydia or gonorrhea infection in the urethra. 

Swab specimens for men can be collected from the urethra, anus, and pharynx (throat). Testing all areas of the body at risk for infection provides the most comprehensive results.

Men should be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea at least once a year if:

• 25 or younger and sexually active
• Older than 25 and having sex with more than one partner
• Older than 25 and have a new sex partner