Health Information
Chlamydia Tests
Why It Is Done
A test for chlamydia is done to:
- See whether symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) are caused by a chlamydia infection.
- Check people who
are at high risk for being infected with chlamydia. A chlamydia infection does
not always cause symptoms. The
Reference U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Opens New Window
recommends checking for chlamydia for:
- All sexually active women age 24 or younger.
- Women older than age 24 with Reference high-risk sexual behaviors.
- All pregnant women in the first trimester and again in the third trimester if high-risk sexual behaviors are reported. Treating a pregnant woman who has a chlamydia infection can prevent an infection in her newborn.
- All women with Reference pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Opens New Window.
- All women with symptoms of a cervical infection (Reference cervicitis Opens New Window) found on a Reference pelvic exam Opens New Window.
- Check for infection in a newborn whose mother had a chlamydia infection at the time of delivery.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference May 1, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease |
|
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