Serum Chlamydia trachomatis IgG

Specimen Required

3-5cc Clotted Blood or Serum

Fasting Required

Purpose of the Test

To screen for or diagnose chlamydia infection

When this test is required

A doctor may request the test if you have symptoms such as vaginal discharge and abdominal pain (for women) or unusual discharge from the penis or pain on urination (for men). However, about 70% of infected women and 50% of infected men show no active symptoms, but can still infect a sexual partner without knowing.Risk factors for Chlamydia infection include age under 25 years, having new or multiple sexual partners, having sex with someone who has other partners, and not using barrier contraceptives such as condoms. You may wish, or your doctor may suggest, that you be screened for the infection if you have any of these risk factors.

What the Test Detects

Preparation for the Test

Tell your healthcare provider about any use of antibiotics or, for women, douches or vaginal creams; you may be asked to avoid using these within 24 hours before testing vaginal samples since they may affect test results. Menstruation will not affect results. For a urine sample, you may be instructed to wait one to two hours after you last urinated before collecting the sample. Follow any instructions you are given.

Sample Requirements

Your health care team may use a swab to take a sample of cells or secretion from the infected area, or you may be asked to provide a urine sample. Women may be asked for a self taken vaginal swab.

Additional Notes

Chlamydia is often called “the silent epidemic” because infections are very common yet many people do not know that they are infected. Chlamydia is especially widespread among young people under the age of 25. A National Chlamydia Screening Programme is underway in England, to screen for the infection in asymptomatic sexually active men and women under 25 years of age. The aim of the programme is to reduce infection rates and spread of the disease, to so reduce the consequences of untreated infections.Chlamydia is easily treated, but if left untreated, it can cause severe reproductive and other health problems, particularly in women. If you are infected, your sexual partner(s) should also be tested and treated as well.People who are infected have a higher risk of developing other sexually transmitted diseases, including a 3 to 5 times greater risk of acquiring HIV if exposed to it.The diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease should not be ruled out if the test is negative; patients’ clinical symptoms and history should also be considered.

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