What is the test ?
This test screens for chlamydia trachomatis.
Chlamydia trachomatis infection causes the following:
● Inflammation of the urethra (the tube that releases urine from the bladder) in men
● Inflammation of the cervix (the neck of the womb)
● Inflammation of the area around the uterus and ovaries.
Why do the test ?
Infection of the reproductive tract of women above the internal os of the cervix results in acute pelvic inflammatory disease.
This is can be a result of an ascending cervical infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis . The immediate and long term effects of pelvic inflammatory disease include salpingitis, pelvic abscess, peritonitis, infertility and predisposition to tubal ectopic pregnancy.
Who Should do the test ?
Women
You should be screened for chlamydia trachomatis if have
o a new sexual partner
o a partner with symptoms of an STI
o had two or more sexual partners in the past 12 months
o a partner does not use condoms.
You should discuss how often you should be screened with your doctor. Screening
for chylamdial infection should be done about 1 week after unsafe sexual contact or a change of sexual partner.
Men
All men who practise unsafe sexual behaviours should be screened. They include those who:
● do not use condoms
● have frequent change in sexual partners
● have sex with prostitutes.
How is the test done ?
Screening can be done by obtaining tissues from the lining of the neck of the womb (cervix) in women and from the urethra in men.
